How rural neighborhoods affect heart health in communities
Official title: Neighborhoods and Cardiovascular Risk and Resilience in Rural Communities
Funded at University of California Berkeley · NIH-11052452 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Berkeley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $792,691 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL157820-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11052452 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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.
✕Less likely to help
Patients living in urban areas or those without cardiovascular risk factors may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mujahid, Mahasin S — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Mujahid, Mahasin S
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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.