NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Hybrid implementation approach to scale a weight‑management program for adults with serious mental illness

Official title: R01-Signature Project: A hybrid implementation trial testing strategies to scale an evidence-based weight management program for persons with serious mental illness

Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11421411 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A Johns Hopkins team is testing how to spread and sustain a proven weight‑loss program for adults with serious mental illness in community mental health settings.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project startAugust 15, 2018
Project endApril 30, 2029
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$729,109
NIH project number5P50MH115842-07
Project IDNIH-11421411 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Adults aged 21 and older with serious mental illness who receive services at participating community mental health organizations.

Less likely to help

Individuals without access to participating clinics or who do not have obesity or related cardiovascular risk factors may not benefit.

What this research studies

This project builds on an already tested weight management program tailored for people with serious mental illness and works with community mental health centers in New Jersey and Delaware. It studies practical strategies—like staff training, coaching, and organizational planning—to help clinics adopt and keep delivering the program over time. The effort involves partnerships with state leaders and local organizations to adapt the program to real-world settings. The goal is to make the intervention scalable, feasible, and sustainable in typical community clinics serving this population.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could become regularly offered in community clinics, helping more adults with serious mental illness lose weight and reduce cardiovascular risk.

How similar studies have gone: Previous trials showed meaningful weight loss with the ACHIEVE program in people with serious mental illness, and the current work aims to translate those results into routine practice.

Where this research is happening

  • Johns Hopkins University
    Baltimore, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Daumit, Gail L. — Johns Hopkins University
  • Study coordinator: Daumit, Gail L.

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.