Improving health behaviors in midlife through workplace social networks
Official title: Simulation Analyses to Optimize Workplace Social Network Interventions for Improving Health Behaviors in Midlife
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11195627 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how friendships and support at work can help people in their middle years make healthier choices, like eating better, and aims to find ways to use these connections to create helpful programs for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $642,090 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG089061-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11195627 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are midlife adults who are part of workplace environments and are looking to improve their health behaviors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not in a workplace setting or those under 21 years old may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how social connections in the workplace can influence health behaviors among midlife adults. By using advanced simulation models, the study aims to identify effective strategies for health interventions that leverage these social networks. The approach focuses on understanding how mutual support, information sharing, and social norms can be utilized to promote healthier behaviors, such as improved diet quality. The goal is to create cost-effective interventions that can benefit not just individuals but also the wider community.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective health interventions that improve the overall health and well-being of midlife adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that social network interventions can effectively influence health behaviors, suggesting a promising avenue for this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Levy, Douglas — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Levy, Douglas
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.