How fewer children losing parents affects young people in Rakai, Uganda
Rakai Orphans in Communities
This project looks at how declines in orphanhood from better HIV treatment affect HIV risk and social and economic outcomes for adolescents and young adults in Rakai.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11395988 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are a young person in Rakai, this project follows how changes in parental death from HIV shape life chances as you move through adolescence and young adulthood. Researchers will measure exactly when children lost one or both parents and compare social, economic, and HIV-risk outcomes across groups who were orphaned at different ages. The team will use population data and local surveys, and may link clinic records and household information to understand long-term effects. Results are intended to inform programs and policies that support families and reduce HIV risk for youth.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adolescents and young adults from Rakai District, Uganda, including those who experienced parental death at different ages.
Not a fit: People who do not live in Rakai or whose families were never affected by HIV-related parental loss are unlikely to see direct benefits from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help tailor services and policies to reduce HIV risk and improve social and economic supports for orphans and young people.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has shown orphanhood is linked to worse outcomes, but using recent declines in orphanhood driven by expanded ART to study downstream effects is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Santelli, John S. — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Santelli, John S.
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.