Liver health, metabolic syndrome, and heart disease risk in Black World Trade Center responders
Official title: The Liver, Metabolic Syndrome, and Increased CVD risk among African American World Trade Center General Responders
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11387178 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A short, patient-friendly study explores how liver-related factors and social conditions contribute to heart disease risk in non-Hispanic Black World Trade Center responders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $327,231 |
| NIH project number | 5R21OH012960-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11387178 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are non-Hispanic Black World Trade Center General Responders who may have or be at risk for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.
✕Less likely to help
Findings may not directly affect individuals without the WTC responder history or without liver/metabolic risk factors.
What this research studies
This project looks at how liver metabolism and social factors may drive heart disease risk in Black responders who worked at the World Trade Center site. Researchers will examine genetic factors that link liver health to cardiovascular risk and how social determinants of health influence outcomes. The goal is to uncover connections that could lead to better prevention and care for people like these responders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could help tailor prevention and treatment strategies for heart disease in NH Black WTC responders.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research shows links between liver metabolism and cardiovascular risk, but this project focuses on specific high-risk NH Black WTC responders and social determinants, which is a relatively novel combination.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Branch, Andrea D. — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Branch, Andrea D.
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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.