How rural neighborhoods affect heart health in communities

Neighborhoods and Cardiovascular Risk and Resilience in Rural Communities

NIH-funded research University of California Berkeley · NIH-11052452

This study looks at how the neighborhoods we live in can affect heart health, especially for people in rural areas like Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta, focusing on those who may have faced tough times in childhood or don’t have strong social support.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Berkeley NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Berkeley, United States)
Project IDNIH-11052452 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of neighborhood environments on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in rural areas, particularly focusing on communities in Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta. It aims to understand how factors like food access, social cohesion, and geographic isolation influence heart health, especially among those who have experienced childhood trauma or lack social support. By examining these unique rural characteristics, the study seeks to identify vulnerable populations and explore factors that contribute to cardiovascular resilience. The methodology includes rigorous data collection and analysis to uncover these relationships.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in rural areas, particularly in Appalachia or the Mississippi Delta, who may be at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Not a fit: Patients living in urban areas or those without cardiovascular risk factors may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted interventions that improve cardiovascular health in rural communities.

How similar studies have performed: While there has been significant research on urban populations, this approach focusing on rural neighborhoods is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Berkeley, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions burden of disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.