How dialysis facility growth affects care for people with end-stage kidney disease
Official title: Uneven Geographic Distribution of Dialysis Facility Expansion and Its Differential Impact on Health Outcomes Among Patients with End-Stage Kidney Disease
Funded at National Bureau of Economic Research · NIH-11434364 · Data updated 2026-11-12
New research will examine whether the spread of dialysis centers and new treatment technologies benefit patients with end-stage kidney disease, and whether benefits reach all communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | National Bureau of Economic Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | September 3, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,159,469 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK149058-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11434364 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with end-stage kidney disease who receive or may need dialysis, especially those in rural or underserved communities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients in communities with little or no change in dialysis access or where data do not reveal clear disparities may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses national Medicare data and facility information to see if the rapid opening of dialysis centers has helped patients equally, or if gaps persist for Black, Hispanic, Medicaid-eligible, and rural communities. Researchers will link facility expansion with patient outcomes over ten years to uncover disparities and mechanisms driving them. The study aims to inform policymakers and clinicians on how to expand access to improved dialysis care in a fair and effective way.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide more equitable distribution of dialysis services and technologies, improving outcomes for underserved patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown geographic variation in dialysis access, but this study will link expansion to outcomes and disparities over a full decade.
Where this research is happening
-
National Bureau of Economic Research
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shen, Yu-Chu — National Bureau of Economic Research
- Study coordinator: Shen, Yu-Chu
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-
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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.