Improving COVID-19 prevention through wastewater testing in a Tribal community
Official title: Strengthening COVID-19 prevention strategies via wastewater surveillance in a Northern Plains Tribe
Funded at Black Hills Ctr/american Indian Health · NIH-10927363 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to help prevent COVID-19 by checking wastewater for the virus in 15 communities of a Northern Plains Tribe, making it easier to keep everyone safe, especially in remote areas.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Black Hills Ctr/american Indian Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rapid City, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $515,432 |
| NIH project number | 5S06GM146079-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10927363 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include members of the Northern Plains Tribe living in the 15 communities involved in the wastewater testing program.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not residing in the targeted Tribal communities or those not engaged in the wastewater testing initiative may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance COVID-19 prevention strategies by implementing a wastewater testing program across 15 communities within a Northern Plains Tribe. The project will focus on detecting viral contaminants, including SARS-CoV-2, through bulk wastewater analysis, which is particularly beneficial in remote areas with limited resources. A collaborative team of Native investigators will work closely with the community to design and evaluate the effectiveness of this testing program, ensuring it aligns with local needs and existing COVID-19 surveillance efforts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective monitoring and prevention of COVID-19 and other viral outbreaks in Tribal communities.
How similar studies have gone: While wastewater surveillance has been explored in various settings, this specific approach tailored to a Tribal community is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Black Hills Ctr/american Indian Health
Rapid City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Henderson, Jeffrey a — Black Hills Ctr/american Indian Health
- Study coordinator: Henderson, Jeffrey a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Structural factors linking minimum wage, COVID-19, and community violence
A long-term study will explore whether higher minimum wages and pandemic-related economic factors are connected to changes in violence in US communities.
-
COVID-19 healthcare disruptions and heart health inequities in NYC adults with multiple conditions
This project looks at how COVID-19-related gaps in care affected heart health in adults with several chronic conditions in New York City.
-
Modifying body fat to aid COVID-19 recovery through behavioral strategies
A study in veterans explores whether changing weight through lifestyle habits can improve recovery after COVID-19–related health problems.
-
Post-COVID Neuro-Cognitive Changes in Older African Americans
A study explores how COVID-19 affects thinking, memory, and daily life in older African American adults and what might be driving these changes.
-
How COVID school closures affected kids with or at risk for developmental differences
This NIH grant follows children aged 4 to 15 and their families to see how pandemic school closures impacted emotional well-being and parenting over three years.
-
Long-term COVID-19 effects in older Veterans and a rehabilitation approach
This project looks at how COVID-19 affects blood vessel health in older Veterans and tests a rehab strategy together with a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant to help recovery.
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.