Improving access to reproductive health education for young adults with disabilities
Official title: A Randomized Intervention Trial to Increase Access to Reproductive Health Services among Adolescents and Young Adults with intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Funded at Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy · NIH-11030302 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to improve sexual health education for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by testing a new program that offers either one-on-one lessons at home or fun group activities, helping them feel more comfortable and knowledgeable about discussing reproductive health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | February 2, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $770,438 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD111044-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11030302 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents and young adults aged 18 to 27 with mild to moderate intellectual and developmental disabilities who receive services from disability providers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have intellectual or developmental disabilities or are outside the age range of 18 to 27 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance reproductive health education for adolescents and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) by updating and testing a curriculum called STEPS-2. Participants aged 18 to 27 will be involved in a randomized controlled trial where they will either receive individualized education sessions at home or participate in group activities focused on physical health. The study will assess the effectiveness of these interventions in improving knowledge and comfort discussing sexual health topics. Data will be collected at various points to evaluate the impact of the curriculum on participants' understanding and communication about reproductive health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could empower young adults with disabilities to make informed decisions about their reproductive health and improve their overall well-being.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that tailored educational interventions can significantly improve health knowledge and outcomes among individuals with disabilities, suggesting a promising approach for this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcdermott, Suzanne W — Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy
- Study coordinator: Mcdermott, Suzanne W
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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.