How structural racism affects family caregivers of seriously ill adults
Structural Racism and Engagement of Family Caregivers in Serious Illness Care
This project looks at how racism and neighborhood segregation shape access to palliative care and the experiences of family caregivers of adults with serious illnesses in Massachusetts.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11366162 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will gather medical records, neighborhood and housing data, and surveys from adults with serious illnesses and their family caregivers across Massachusetts to see how systemic factors influence care. They will also conduct interviews and focus groups with caregivers and patients to hear real-life experiences and barriers to getting palliative care. By combining numerical data with personal stories, the team aims to identify patterns where racism and segregation limit access and caregiver engagement. The findings will be used to recommend ways hospitals, clinics, and communities can better support caregivers and improve care for seriously ill people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adult patients with serious illnesses and their family caregivers who live in Massachusetts, particularly those from communities of color or resource-limited neighborhoods.
Not a fit: People who live outside Massachusetts, children, or individuals without a serious illness or caregiver role are unlikely to directly benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to changes in health systems and community supports that improve access to palliative care and support for family caregivers, especially in communities of color.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have shown racial disparities in palliative care access, but few have combined population-level data with caregiver interviews to specifically examine the role of structural racism, so this approach mixes established methods with a relatively novel focus.
Where this research is happening
Worcester, United States
- Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester — Worcester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tjia, Jennifer — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Tjia, Jennifer
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.