Investigating how environmental factors affect COPD in rural areas
Official title: COPD and Rural Health: Identifying Environmental Exposures Associated with Adverse Outcomes
Funded at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic · NIH-11044182 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how things like air pollution and heating methods affect the health of people with COPD who live in rural areas, so we can find better ways to help them feel better and stay healthier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lebanon, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $222,259 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM148278-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11044182 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with COPD who reside in rural areas of the United States.
✕Less likely to help
Patients living in urban areas or those without a diagnosis of COPD may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) living in rural areas of the United States, where they experience worse health outcomes compared to those in urban settings. The study aims to identify various environmental exposures, such as air pollution and the use of solid fuels for heating, that may contribute to increased morbidity in these patients. By examining the prevalence and perceptions of these exposures, the research seeks to inform the development of targeted interventions to reduce risks and improve health outcomes for rural COPD patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes for COPD patients in rural areas by identifying and mitigating harmful environmental exposures.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that environmental factors significantly impact COPD morbidity, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic
Lebanon, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Paulin, Laura Marie — Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic
- Study coordinator: Paulin, Laura Marie
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Omalizumab for COPD patients with allergen sensitization and exposure
A multicenter trial will test whether adding omalizumab helps people with COPD who are allergic to common indoor allergens and are exposed to them.
-
Clinical CT Imaging to identify and subtype pulmonary hypertension in COPD
A new CT imaging approach aims to help doctors detect and classify pulmonary hypertension in people with COPD.
-
Next-Generation Wearable AI for Precision COPD Risk and Care
A patient-centered project uses a smart wearable and AI to predict COPD flare-ups and support doctors in making better care decisions.
-
Ethics-aware Multimodal AI for COPD prevention, diagnosis, and treatment
A broad AI model uses diverse health data to help predict and manage COPD in people, with an emphasis on ethics and fairness.
-
Easier, local pulmonary rehab and social support for people with COPD in low-resource clinics
This project compares a 10-week community pulmonary rehabilitation program alone, the same program plus help with social needs, and usual care for people with moderate-to-severe COPD to see which helps people stick with rehab and feel better.
-
Improving COPD outcomes with real-world data
A doctor-scientist at a major university is using real-world information from COPD patients to understand which treatments work best, how safe they are, and whether people stick to their inhaler plans.
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.