Improving statin prescribing to lower heart disease risk
Official title: EHR Nudges: Optimizing a Clinical Decision Support System for Evidence-Based Statin Medication Prescribing to Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-10999412 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to make it easier for doctors to prescribe statin medications to patients at risk of heart disease by using helpful reminders in their electronic health records, so they can make better decisions without feeling overwhelmed.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $684,618 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL171292-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10999412 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who meet the clinical guidelines for statin therapy due to their risk of cardiovascular disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not meet the criteria for statin therapy or those who are already receiving optimal treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance the use of clinical decision support systems (CDSS) within electronic health records (EHR) to promote the appropriate prescribing of statin medications for patients at risk of cardiovascular disease. By integrating behavioral economics principles, the project seeks to address the barriers that healthcare providers face, such as time constraints and cognitive overload, which often lead to under-prescribing of statins. The study will implement 'nudges'—subtle prompts that encourage better decision-making—within the CDSS to facilitate guideline-concordant prescribing practices. This approach is designed to make it easier for providers to recognize and manage cardiovascular disease risk effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase the number of patients receiving appropriate statin therapy, thereby reducing their risk of cardiovascular events and improving overall heart health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that integrating behavioral economics into clinical decision-making can lead to improved health outcomes, suggesting that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Richardson, Safiya — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Richardson, Safiya
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how genetic changes in blood cells relate to heart disease in people with HIV
A study will look at how age-related blood cell mutations and large chromosomal changes might contribute to heart disease risk in people living with HIV.
-
Food allergy antibodies linked to heart disease risk in adults
Many adults have antibodies to foods without symptoms, and this study asks whether those antibodies are linked to higher risk of heart disease and related conditions.
-
Mindfulness training to lower cardiovascular risk for moms and babies during pregnancy
A mindfulness program is being tested during pregnancy to help prevent high blood pressure and heart problems for mothers and their babies.
-
Integrating clinical pharmacists into HIV care to reduce cardiovascular disease in people with HIV
A pharmacist-led program in HIV care aims to prevent and manage heart disease risks like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol in people living with HIV.
-
Integrating heart care into HIV services in Botswana using statins
This project tests a simple, scalable approach to help people with HIV in Botswana start and stay on statin therapy to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
-
A heart-healthy program for aging HIV patients using therapy pets to help blood pressure
A study tests whether using the human-animal bond from dog ownership can help older adults living with HIV control their blood pressure and improve heart health.
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.