How climate change and wildfires affect patients with severe kidney disease
Official title: Climate change, forest fires, and patients with end-stage kidney disease: A national scale vulnerability assessment
Funded at Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-11050045 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how extreme heat and wildfires affect people with end-stage kidney disease across the U.S., aiming to find out who is most at risk and how we can better protect them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $372,713 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HS029890-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11050045 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease, particularly those living in areas prone to extreme heat and wildfires.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with kidney disease who are not exposed to extreme heat events or wildfires may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of climate change, specifically extreme heat events and wildfires, on patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) across the United States. By analyzing data from various cities, the study aims to identify how these environmental factors contribute to health risks such as hospitalization and mortality among ESKD patients. The research will also explore disparities based on location, race, and other health conditions to better understand which groups are most vulnerable. The findings could help inform public health strategies and interventions to protect at-risk populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes and targeted interventions for patients with end-stage kidney disease affected by climate-related factors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that extreme heat events negatively impact ESKD patients, indicating that this research builds on established findings but aims for a broader national assessment.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Maryland, College Park
College Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sapkota, Amir — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Sapkota, Amir
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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.