Investigating how race and ethnicity affect emergency care for cardiac arrest

Racial and Ethnic Differences in Emergency Medical Services Interventions for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

NIH-funded research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11124148

This study looks at how emergency medical services treat people who have a cardiac arrest outside of the hospital, focusing on differences between racial and ethnic groups, to find ways to improve care and help everyone have a better chance of survival.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Pittsburgh, United States)
Project IDNIH-11124148 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research examines the differences in emergency medical services (EMS) interventions for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) among various racial and ethnic groups. It focuses on understanding how these differences impact critical aspects of care, such as the timing of defibrillation and administration of epinephrine. By analyzing data from a large registry, the study aims to uncover disparities in treatment that may contribute to lower survival rates for Black and Hispanic patients compared to White patients. The findings could lead to improved EMS practices and better outcomes for all patients experiencing cardiac arrest.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, particularly those who identify as Black or Hispanic.

Not a fit: Patients who do not experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest or those who are not part of the racial and ethnic groups being studied may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more equitable emergency care practices, improving survival rates for patients from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated disparities in treatment outcomes based on race and ethnicity, suggesting that this investigation could build on established findings to improve EMS interventions.

Where this research is happening

Pittsburgh, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.