How air pollution affects recurrent heart events in older adults
Official title: Statistical methods to characterize causal mechanisms by which air pollution affects the recurrence of cardiovascular events
Funded at University of Rochester · NIH-11568469 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how air pollution, especially PM2.5, influences the recurrence and progression of heart problems in people aged 65 and older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $748,925 |
| NIH project number | 4R01ES034021-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11568469 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults (65+) with a history of cardiovascular disease or at risk for recurrent events.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without exposure to air pollution or without a history of cardiovascular disease may see less direct benefit.
What this research studies
The project aims to uncover how long-term exposure to air pollution changes the course of cardiovascular disease beyond the first event, focusing on recurrent events and overall disease burden. It will develop and apply advanced causal analysis methods to understand time-varying exposures and mediators, while considering the role of death as a competing outcome. Using data from large-scale populations, researchers will map the pathways linking air pollution to repeated heart events and identify key mediators that could be targeted for intervention. The work is designed to inform policies and clinical practice to better prevent recurrent cardiovascular complications in older adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to better regulatory policies and clinical strategies to reduce recurrent heart events among older adults exposed to air pollution.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked air pollution to first cardiovascular events, but this project extends understanding to recurrent events and causal pathways, representing a novel but building field.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Strawderman, Robert — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Strawderman, Robert
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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.