HEART-NET: improving primary care access for chronic disease in the Deep South
Primary Care HEART-NET in the Deep South
This program will connect primary care clinics across Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi so people with chronic conditions can more easily join research and access care innovations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11377919 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you get care at one of the participating clinics, HEART-NET will help clinics run research without disrupting visits by embedding research processes into everyday clinic workflows. The network brings together local patients, clinicians, and communities to shape what research looks like and to make participation easier. It will use technology, including AI-driven tools and telehealth options, to lower travel and time burdens for patients in rural and underserved areas. The program links over 45 primary care clinics across the three states to speed up recruitment for prevention and treatment projects focused on chronic illness.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with chronic conditions who receive care at participating primary care clinics in Alabama, Arkansas, or Mississippi, especially those in rural or low-income communities.
Not a fit: People who do not live in the region or who do not receive care at one of the participating clinics are unlikely to benefit directly from this network.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could make it easier for underserved patients in the Deep South to access research-based prevention programs, new treatments, and improved primary care services.
How similar studies have performed: Practice-based research networks and CTSA partnerships have previously improved clinic-based research and patient recruitment, though applying these approaches broadly across rural Deep South clinics with new AI tools is a newer effort.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Asif, Irfan — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Asif, Irfan
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.