Improving health in Rwanda by promoting cleaner household energy sources
Official title: Sustainable Household Energy Adoption in Rwanda (SHEAR): Promoting Rural Health with Solar and Natural Gas
Funded at Colorado State University · NIH-11237442 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using cleaner energy sources like solar and natural gas can improve health for people living in rural Rwanda by reducing harmful air pollution from traditional fuels like wood and charcoal.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Colorado State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Collins, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $364,713 |
| NIH project number | 3R01ES029995-05S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11237442 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are rural households in Rwanda that currently rely on traditional energy sources for cooking and heating.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not reside in rural Rwanda or who already use clean energy sources may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of adopting sustainable household energy sources, such as solar and natural gas, on health outcomes in rural Rwanda. It aims to reduce exposure to harmful household air pollution caused by traditional fuels like wood and charcoal, which affect millions of people. By conducting a randomized controlled trial, the study will assess the effectiveness of these cleaner energy solutions in improving overall health and reducing disease burden. The approach includes collaboration with public and private sectors to ensure successful implementation and adoption of these technologies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve health outcomes by reducing air pollution-related diseases in rural communities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that interventions promoting cleaner household energy can lead to improved health outcomes, although this approach of focusing on total household energy is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Clark, Maggie Lynn — Colorado State University
- Study coordinator: Clark, Maggie Lynn
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.