Investigating environmental and neighborhood factors affecting fertility in Black women in the U.S.
Official title: An assessment of environmental and neighborhood-level risk factors for subfertility among Black women in the U.S.
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-11252912 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how things in our neighborhoods and environment might affect fertility for Black women in the U.S., since they face higher rates of infertility compared to white women, and it aims to better understand these issues to help improve their health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 10, 2023 |
| Project end | March 27, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $152,027 |
| NIH project number | 3R01ES035053-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11252912 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Black women of reproductive age who are experiencing difficulties in achieving pregnancy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not Black women or those who do not have concerns related to fertility may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how environmental and neighborhood-level factors contribute to subfertility among Black women in the United States. It aims to address the significant disparities in infertility rates, as Black women experience infertility at nearly double the rate of their white counterparts. By utilizing data from the Black Women’s Health Study, which has followed 59,000 Black women for over 25 years, the research will explore various environmental exposures and their impact on fertility outcomes. The study seeks to fill the gap in knowledge regarding the causes of infertility specifically in Black women, who have historically been underrepresented in fertility research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and targeted interventions to enhance fertility outcomes for Black women.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been limited research specifically targeting Black women's fertility, studies addressing environmental factors in reproductive health have shown promising results in other populations.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wesselink, Amelia Kent — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Wesselink, Amelia Kent
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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.