Improving Chronic Disease Outcomes Across Lifespan by Tackling Structural Racism
Official title: Improving Chronic Disease Outcomes Across the Lifespan by Addressing Structural Racism
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11374838 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant tests ways to reduce racial disparities in chronic disease outcomes by improving how social factors and discrimination affect care in healthcare settings.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $802,341 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NR020752-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11374838 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21+ from diverse racial backgrounds, especially caregivers of color and low-income populations served by participating healthcare systems.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without unmet social needs or those not engaged with the WE CARE workflow may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
The project focuses on how structural racism and social determinants influence chronic diseases, especially for low-income adults. It builds on the WE CARE SDOH system to screen for social needs and connect families to resources, aiming to improve disease outcomes. The team is studying equitable implementation and whether addressing social needs changes health results for diverse groups, particularly caregivers of color. The work involves implementing and evaluating interventions within real healthcare settings to see if referrals and resources translate into better health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may experience fewer disease complications through better access to social support and resources.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work with WE CARE showed increased referrals and resource receipt, though disparities in addressing needs among caregivers of color were observed in a later trial.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garg, Arvin — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Garg, Arvin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Genomic risk tools to guide chronic disease care in adults
A program uses genetic risk scores along with health history to tailor prevention and early care for adults with chronic diseases.
-
How Economic Tough Times Affect Health Habits in Older Adults with HIV
This study looks at how living with limited money changes how older adults with HIV take medicines and use preventive health services.
-
Comprehensive food testing to prevent illness and protect health
This grant funds a program to test foods for dangerous chemicals and microbes to help keep people healthy and reduce chronic disease linked to food exposure.
-
Understanding how multiple health problems cluster in aging people with HIV
This grant looks at how social factors and multiple health conditions come together to affect aging in people living with HIV.
-
Arctic Ground Squirrels as a Model to Discover Treatments for Metabolic Diseases
Researchers are creating a new animal model using Arctic ground squirrels to uncover natural metabolic tricks that could lead to therapies for human conditions like diabetes and muscle wasting.
-
Real-time sensor network to track inflammatory cytokines in chronic illness
This project develops tiny injectable sensors that continuously track inflammatory proteins to better understand and eventually help manage chronic conditions like autoimmune disease, cancer, and heart disease.
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.