Improving food security and blood pressure control in patients with hypertension
Official title: Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial to Reduce Food Insecurity and Improve Adherence in Patients with Hypertension
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11054866 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at the best ways to help people with high blood pressure who are struggling to get enough healthy food, by trying out different support options like sharing local resources, using health workers, and providing meals tailored to their needs, so they can better manage their health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | March 4, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $708,678 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL173064-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054866 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with hypertension who also experience food insecurity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have hypertension or do not face food insecurity may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to effectively reduce food insecurity among patients with hypertension, which affects their ability to manage their condition. It employs a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) design to test different interventions, such as providing community resource information, utilizing community health workers, and delivering medically-tailored meals. The goal is to identify which intervention works best for individual patients and to adaptively provide additional support if needed. By focusing on the unique needs of patients, the research aims to enhance treatment adherence and improve blood pressure control.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved blood pressure management and overall health for patients facing food insecurity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using community-based interventions to address food insecurity and improve health outcomes, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Palakshappa, Deepak — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Palakshappa, Deepak
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Pay-what-you-can cafes and heart health in people with high blood pressure and food insecurity
This project tests whether eating at pay-what-you-can cafes improves blood pressure and heart- disease related outcomes for hypertensive adults who face food insecurity.
-
FoRKS: Bringing healthy meals and kitchen skills to adults with food insecurity and high blood pressure
A funded study will test whether tailored meals plus hands-on cooking support improve blood pressure and diabetes management in adults facing food insecurity.
-
Helping people with high blood pressure get food and stick to their medicines
This project tries different ways to help people with high blood pressure who do not have enough food get meals and support so they can take their medicines and lower their blood pressure.
-
Food Resources & Kitchen Skills for Adults with Food Insecurity and High Blood Pressure
This program helps adults who struggle to get enough healthy food and also have high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes by providing meals, cooking tools, and online cooking classes.
-
HEARTS hypertension and diabetes care in Guatemala
This grant tests how well the HEARTS primary care model works in Guatemala to improve blood pressure and blood sugar control for patients.
-
Integrated Heart Health: A HEARTS-based approach to hypertension and diabetes in Guatemala
A study tests a team-based, stepwise care model to improve blood pressure and blood sugar control for people with both hypertension and diabetes in Guatemala.
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.