How pregnancy exposure to environmental chemicals affects women's health later in life
Official title: Pregnancy Exposures to Chemical Mixtures and Later Metabolic Health and Endocrine Function Among Women in the Puerto Rico PROTECT Cohort
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11084411 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how being exposed to certain chemicals while pregnant might affect women's health later on, especially regarding diabetes and other health issues, and it's for women in Puerto Rico who want to understand how their pregnancy experiences could impact their long-term well-being.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | August 21, 2020 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $385,778 |
| NIH project number | 5R01ES032203-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11084411 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women who were pregnant during the study period and have lived in Puerto Rico, particularly those with a history of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who did not experience pregnancy or who have not been exposed to the environmental chemicals being studied may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of exposure to environmental chemicals during pregnancy on women's metabolic health and endocrine function later in life. By studying a cohort of women in Puerto Rico, the research aims to understand how these exposures relate to conditions such as adult-onset diabetes and other adverse health outcomes. The study utilizes a rich dataset that includes biomarkers, health records, and participant questionnaires to track health changes over time. Participants will be followed up through the ECHO study to gather comprehensive health information.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and prevention strategies for metabolic disorders in women who were exposed to harmful chemicals during pregnancy.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in linking environmental exposures during pregnancy to later health outcomes, indicating that this approach is both relevant and necessary.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meeker, John D. — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Meeker, John D.
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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.