Impact of civil unrest on healthcare access and use
Official title: After the Dust Settles: Changes in Local Healthcare Access and Utilization after Civil Unrest
Funded at Brown University · NIH-11038488 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how events like police violence impact healthcare access for older adults in marginalized communities, focusing on changes in their doctor visits and mental health services after such incidents.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $58,169 |
| NIH project number | 1R36AG090854-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11038488 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults living in communities that have experienced civil unrest related to police violence.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not reside in areas affected by civil unrest or who are younger than 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how civil unrest, particularly incidents of police violence, affects healthcare access and utilization in marginalized communities. It focuses on older adults and aims to analyze changes in healthcare patterns, such as increased emergency department visits and decreased primary care appointments, following civil unrest events. The study will also explore the long-term effects on mental health services, particularly concerning anxiety and depression. By examining these connections, the research seeks to understand the broader implications of structural violence on health outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved healthcare policies and interventions that enhance access and quality of care for communities affected by civil unrest.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific focus on civil unrest and healthcare access is relatively novel, previous research has shown that social determinants of health significantly impact healthcare utilization and outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
Brown University
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nyakaru, Deborah Kerubo — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Nyakaru, Deborah Kerubo
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.