Investigating how race and ethnicity affect emergency care for cardiac arrest
Official title: Racial and Ethnic Differences in Emergency Medical Services Interventions for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11124148 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | June 24, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $210,141 |
| NIH project number | 5R21MD019370-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11124148 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, particularly those who identify as Black or Hispanic.
✕Less likely to help
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.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Okubo, Masashi — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Okubo, Masashi
Related research
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Multi-center study on how ventilation during CPR relates to cardiac arrest outcomes
A large, real-world study will look at how ventilation during CPR affects survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in adults.
-
Specialized post-arrest care after cardiac arrest
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-
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Fairer brain recovery predictions after cardiac arrest through U.S.–Brazil collaboration
This project aims to find better ways to predict brain recovery for people who survive cardiac arrest but have possible brain injury.
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Improving predictions of brain recovery after cardiac arrest
This project compares outcomes after cardiac arrest in the U.S. and Brazil to learn which tests best predict who will regain brain function for people who survive cardiac arrest.
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Reducing biased predictions of brain recovery after cardiac arrest
This project looks at cardiac arrest survivors in the US and Brazil to find more accurate ways to predict brain recovery and avoid premature stopping of life support.
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.