Improving diagnosis and care for familial hypercholesterolemia
Official title: Collaborative Approach to Reach Everyone with Familial Hypercholesterolemia: CARE-FH
Funded at Geisinger Clinic · NIH-11043251 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to make it easier for doctors to spot and treat familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a genetic condition that causes high cholesterol and can lead to heart problems, so that both kids and adults can get the help they need earlier and stay healthier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Geisinger Clinic NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Danville, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $654,444 |
| NIH project number | 5R33HL161775-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11043251 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia, as well as children aged 9-11 and adults aged 40 and above who may be at risk.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without familial hypercholesterolemia or those who do not fall within the targeted age groups may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the diagnosis and treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a genetic condition that leads to high cholesterol levels and increases the risk of heart disease. The project aims to implement a program within primary care settings that promotes early identification of FH in both children and adults. By utilizing patient and clinician insights, the research seeks to develop effective strategies for screening and treatment that are sustainable and applicable in various healthcare environments. The goal is to close the care gap that currently leads to late diagnoses and preventable cardiovascular issues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier diagnosis and better management of familial hypercholesterolemia, significantly reducing the risk of heart disease in affected individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in implementing similar screening programs for genetic disorders, indicating a promising approach for this project.
Where this research is happening
-
Geisinger Clinic
Danville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gidding, Samuel S — Geisinger Clinic
- Study coordinator: Gidding, Samuel S
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Using behavioral nudges to improve family screening for inherited high cholesterol
This project uses two patient-facing approaches based on behavioral economics to help people with familial hypercholesterolemia get their relatives screened for the condition.
-
Improving Risk Stratification for Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH)
A patient-facing look at a study that aims to better predict who with familial hypercholesterolemia is at highest risk for early heart disease.
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Nonviral CRISPR-Cas9 delivery to liver cells to treat familial hypercholesterolemia
A new approach uses nonviral methods to deliver CRISPR-Cas9 to liver cells and select edited cells with acetaminophen, aiming to permanently lower bad cholesterol in people with familial hypercholesterolemia.
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Implementing multi-component approaches to help blood donors with familial hypercholesterolemia(
A program to help people who donate blood and have familial hypercholesterolemia get the cholesterol-lowering treatment they need through a blood-donation center.
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Helping families find and treat inherited high cholesterol
This project tests a clinic-based program to help primary care doctors find and treat children and adults with inherited high cholesterol (familial hypercholesterolemia).
-
Familial hypercholesterolemia: closing gaps in prevention of heart disease
A new NIH grant is exploring why people with familial hypercholesterolemia often go undiagnosed or receive uneven care, with the goal of improving early detection and prevention of 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.