Identifying community interventions to reduce the impact of racism on adolescent health and substance use

A community driven modeling approach for identifying community & policy-level interventions to address the impact of structural racism and discrimination on adolescent substance use and mental health

NIH-funded research George Washington University · NIH-10947146

This study is looking at how changes in communities and policies can help reduce the negative effects of racism and discrimination on the mental health and substance use of teenagers, using data from public-school kids in North Carolina to see how their surroundings and friendships affect their well-being.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionGeorge Washington University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Washington, United States)
Project IDNIH-10947146 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to explore how community and policy-level interventions can mitigate the effects of structural racism and discrimination on the mental health and substance use of adolescents. By analyzing data from a large study of public-school children in North Carolina, the project will assess various factors such as peer networks and neighborhood characteristics. The research will utilize advanced modeling techniques to predict the long-term impacts of these interventions, focusing on improving health equity among youth. Participants will be involved in understanding how their environments influence their health outcomes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 18 who live in communities impacted by structural racism and discrimination.

Not a fit: Patients who are not adolescents or those living in communities without significant issues related to structural racism may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective strategies that improve mental health and reduce substance use among adolescents in affected communities.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that community-driven interventions can effectively address health disparities, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Where this research is happening

Washington, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.