How unstable income affects mental and physical health
Official title: Unstable Income, Rising Stress? The Effects of Income Instability on Psychological and Physiological Health
Funded at Cornell University · NIH-11145280 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how changes in income can affect the mental and physical health of people, especially those with lower incomes, by checking stress levels and other health markers, and it’s being done in southwestern Bangladesh.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cornell University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ithaca, United States) |
| Project start | March 7, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $415,540 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG076655-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11145280 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals from low-income backgrounds experiencing unstable income.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable income or those not facing economic hardships may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of income instability on the psychological and physiological health of individuals, particularly those from low-income backgrounds. It aims to understand how fluctuations in income can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and other health issues by measuring biomarkers such as cortisol and blood pressure. The study will also explore the differences between predictable and unpredictable income changes and their respective effects on health outcomes. Conducted in southwestern Bangladesh, the research will analyze various factors, including age and gender, that may influence these health effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and interventions to improve the health of individuals facing income instability.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that income stability is linked to better health outcomes, suggesting that this study's approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Cornell University
Ithaca, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schofield, Heather — Cornell University
- Study coordinator: Schofield, Heather
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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.