Investigating how racism affects health in Black Americans

Effects of Racism on Brain and Physiological Pathways to Health Disparities

NIH-funded research Tufts University Medford · NIH-10918280

This study is looking at how personal experiences with racism affect the health of Black Americans, using smartphone technology to track these experiences in real-time and see how they relate to physical and mental health.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionTufts University Medford NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10918280 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research explores the impact of personal experiences with racism on the brain and body, particularly focusing on Black Americans. It aims to understand the physiological and psychological responses triggered by these experiences and how they contribute to health disparities. Using innovative smartphone technology, the study will track real-time experiences of racism and correlate them with health outcomes. By examining these connections, the research seeks to identify mechanisms that link racism to adverse health effects.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who identify as Black or African American and have experienced racism in their lives.

Not a fit: Patients who do not identify as Black or African American may not receive direct benefits from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and strategies to mitigate health disparities faced by Black Americans due to racism.

How similar studies have performed: While the examination of racism's effects on health is gaining attention, this specific approach using real-time data collection and neuroscience is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Boston, 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 2026-06-13 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.