From Food Insecurity to Cardiovascular Risk: A Biobehavioral Look at Nutrition and Inflammation
Official title: From Food Insecurity to Cardiovascular Risk: A Biobehavioral Investigation of Nutritional and Inflammatory Pathways
Funded at Rice University · NIH-11379915 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project follows 450 Hispanic/Latino adults over time to see how food insecurity affects heart health through nutrition and inflammation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rice University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $643,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL174589-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11379915 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years and older who experience food insecurity and are willing to participate in a multi-year study at participating sites.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not experiencing food insecurity or those unwilling to participate in long-term follow-up may not benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will track food insecurity, nutrition, inflammation, and heart health in a diverse group of adults over several years, using both numbers and personal stories to understand the links. They will collect biological markers and conduct interviews to explore how daily living conditions shape cardiovascular risk and well-being. The study builds partnerships with community organizations to reach participants in neighborhoods with different sociodemographic backgrounds. By identifying factors that lessen the harmful effects of food insecurity, the project aims to point toward practical strategies for healthier hearts in affected communities. The work is centered at Rice University with collaboration from community partners to ensure relevance and trust.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could help design targeted programs to reduce heart disease risk among food-insecure individuals, especially in Hispanic/Latino communities.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work supports the idea that social determinants like food security influence cardiovascular risk, but this study offers a longitudinal biobehavioral approach in a specific population community.
Where this research is happening
-
Rice University
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garcini, Luz Maria — Rice University
- Study coordinator: Garcini, Luz Maria
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.