How wildfire smoke affects aging in older adults
Official title: Successful Aging in a Time of Wildfires
Funded at New York University · NIH-10707237 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how breathing in smoke from wildfires affects the health and daily lives of older adults in California, and it’s inviting 1,000 seniors to help understand these effects better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $616,570 |
| NIH project number | 5R56AG072567-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10707237 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are community-dwelling older adults living in California who may be exposed to wildfire smoke.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not live in areas affected by wildfires or who are not older adults may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of wildfire smoke exposure on the health and well-being of older adults living in California. It aims to understand how both chronic and acute exposure to smoke from wildfires affects physical health, cognitive function, and social behaviors in this population. The study will recruit a diverse group of 1,000 community-dwelling older adults and will utilize a multidisciplinary approach, including measuring air quality and assessing biological changes in participants. By examining these factors, the research seeks to uncover the broader implications of environmental disasters on successful aging.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health strategies and interventions for older adults exposed to wildfire smoke.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific focus on wildfire smoke and aging is relatively novel, there is existing research on the health impacts of air pollution on older adults that supports the relevance of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Abramson, David M — New York University
- Study coordinator: Abramson, David M
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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.