How natural disasters affect children's health
Official title: The Impact of Natural Disasters on Child Health
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11063271 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how natural disasters like floods and hurricanes affect children's health in poorer countries, focusing on both injuries and problems like not having enough food or clean water, to help improve how we respond to these disasters and keep kids safe.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 17, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $593,003 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD104835-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11063271 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children aged 0-11 years living in low and middle-income countries who are exposed to natural disasters.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not children or those living in high-income countries may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the health impacts of natural disasters, such as floods and hurricanes, on children living in low and middle-income countries. It focuses on both direct effects, like injuries, and indirect effects, such as food and water insecurity, which can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. The study aims to improve the measurement of child mortality related to these disasters by cataloging storm data and linking it to child health records across over 50 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. By understanding these impacts, the research seeks to inform better strategies for disaster response and recovery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes for children affected by natural disasters through better preparedness and response strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated significant indirect health impacts from disasters, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights into child health outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wagner, Zachary — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Wagner, Zachary
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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.