Investigating cardiovascular health in sexual and gender minority individuals
Official title: Cardiovascular Health Associations with Minority stress: Biobehavioral Evaluations and self-Reported Sociopsychological outcomes by SOGI status (CHAMBERS)
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-10889000 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how stress and lifestyle choices affect heart health in LGBTQ+ individuals, aiming to uncover important risk factors for heart disease that might be missed, especially in younger people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | July 9, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $689,405 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL149866-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10889000 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals under 21 years old who identify as part of the sexual and gender minority community.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as sexual or gender minorities may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research examines the cardiovascular health of sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals, focusing on the impact of psychological stress and behavioral factors on heart disease risk. It aims to identify both self-reported and objective measures of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, such as obesity and hypertension, that are often overlooked in younger populations. By utilizing minority stress theory, the study seeks to understand how stigma and discrimination contribute to health disparities in SGM individuals. Participants will undergo evaluations that assess their psychological and behavioral health in relation to cardiovascular outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and targeted interventions for cardiovascular health disparities in sexual and gender minority populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has highlighted health disparities in SGM populations, but this study aims to fill critical gaps by incorporating objective measures, making it a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Beach, Lauren Brittany — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Beach, Lauren Brittany
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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.