How climate and home air conditioning affect death risk for people on dialysis
Official title: REACH Center Research Project 2
Funded at George Washington University · NIH-11419193 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies whether long-term exposure to wildfire-related air pollution and living with air conditioning influence death risk for people with end-stage kidney disease on dialysis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | George Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $141,196 |
| NIH project number | 5P20ES036775-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11419193 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with end-stage kidney disease receiving dialysis who live in areas affected by landscape fire PM2.5 and have/home access to residential air conditioning.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not on dialysis or those living in regions with minimal landscape-fire PM2.5 exposure may see little direct benefit.
What this research studies
People with end-stage kidney disease on dialysis may face higher health risks from climate-related air pollution. The project will look at long-term exposure to PM2.5 from landscape fires and whether having air conditioning at home helps reduce mortality risk. The research will link air quality data with dialysis patient records to understand patterns and potential protective effects of residential AC. In partnership with a community advisory board, the study will consider patient-relevant factors and real-world settings. Results could inform strategies to protect dialysis patients from climate-health hazards.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could guide housing and public health recommendations to reduce death risk for dialysis patients exposed to wildfire smoke and heat.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research shows short-term exposure to landscape-fire PM2.5 increases mortality risk for dialysis patients; long-term effects and the protective role of home air conditioning are less established but plausible.
Where this research is happening
-
George Washington University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Applebaum, Katie M. — George Washington University
- Study coordinator: Applebaum, Katie 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.