Heart health of low-income working-age adults in the U.S.
Cardiovascular Health of Low-Income Working-Age Adults in the US: Health Care Access, Policy, and the Pandemic
This project looks at how the COVID-19 pandemic, health care access, and policy changes like Medicare expansion could affect heart disease and risk factors for low-income adults ages 18–64.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11129610 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We will link and analyze large national datasets (including surveys and health records) to track trends in heart disease risk factors and outcomes among low-income working-age adults. The team will compare health before and after the COVID-19 pandemic and examine how changes in insurance coverage and access to care relate to those trends. Econometric and epidemiologic methods will be used to estimate how policies such as expanding Medicare might change cardiovascular health. Findings will be reported at the national level and may identify groups or regions with the biggest gaps in care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The people most relevant to this work are low-income adults aged 18–64, particularly those who experienced insurance loss, care disruptions, or financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Not a fit: People outside the 18–64 low-income working-age group or those who already have stable, comprehensive health coverage are less likely to receive direct benefits from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide policies and programs that improve access to care and reduce heart disease risk for low-income working-age adults.
How similar studies have performed: Previous population studies have linked insurance access and policy changes to health outcomes, but national-level analyses focused specifically on low-income working-age adults during the pandemic are relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wadhera, Rishi Kumar — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Wadhera, Rishi Kumar
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.