Ghanaian immigrants' health in the U.S.: life stages, social ties, and adapting to life here
Dynamics of Ghanaian immigrants' health in the US: Critical life-stage experiences, social networks, acculturation and selection (GMHeS)
This project follows Ghanaian immigrants and comparable people in Ghana to learn how life stages, family and social networks, and adapting to U.S. life affect physical and mental health over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11392617 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You'll be invited to share information about your health, life history, family, and social contacts and to be followed over several years. The team will compare people who moved to the U.S., those who returned to Ghana, and those who never left Ghana to see how pre-migration experiences and post-migration stresses shape health. Researchers will map who you stay in touch with, collect information on behaviors and stressors tied to acculturation, and do active follow-up to track health changes. Some work will involve coordinated field visits and surveys both in the U.S. and in Ghana.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are Ghanaian-born adults—both those living in the U.S. and comparable people in Ghana, including return migrants and non-migrants.
Not a fit: People who are not Ghanaian-born or whose health issues are unrelated to migration, acculturation, or social networks are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to better ways to support physical and mental health for Ghanaian immigrants through targeted prevention, social supports, and culturally informed services.
How similar studies have performed: Previous cross-sectional surveys have shown Ghanaian and other Sub-Saharan African immigrants often have better physical health but worse mental health with greater U.S. exposure, and longitudinal studies like this are relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Merli, Giovanna M — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Merli, Giovanna M
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 below.