How moving to the US affects Ghanaian immigrants' health
Dynamics of Ghanaian immigrants' health in the US: Critical life-stage experiences, social networks, acculturation and selection (GMHeS)
['FUNDING_R01'] · DUKE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11173821
This project follows Ghanaian immigrants and people in Ghana to see how life experiences, social ties, and adapting to US life shape physical and mental health over time.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | DUKE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (DURHAM, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11173821 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You may be asked to share your life history, health behaviors, family background, and social contacts and to complete surveys and interviews over several years. The team will compare people who moved to the US, those who returned to Ghana, and those who never left to understand how migration and daily life change health. Researchers will map social networks, measure stress from adapting to US culture, and track measures like depressive symptoms and physical health as people age. The goal is to understand what helps or harms health after migration so services and policies can better support Ghanaian communities.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults with Ghanaian origins who moved to the US, people who returned to Ghana after time in the US, and comparable adults living in Ghana.
Not a fit: People who are not of Ghanaian origin or who do not live in the selected US or Ghana locations are unlikely to be eligible or benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify what protects or harms Ghanaian immigrants' physical and mental health and guide better community supports and healthcare outreach.
How similar studies have performed: Past surveys have shown Ghanaian and other SSA immigrants often have better physical health but worse mental health than US-born Blacks, but this long-term origin-to-destination comparison approach is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
DURHAM, UNITED STATES
- DUKE UNIVERSITY — DURHAM, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MERLI, GIOVANNA M — DUKE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: MERLI, GIOVANNA 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 below.