mHealth tool to help people reduce alcohol-related harm
Official title: User-centered design and clinical testing of an mHealth intervention to reduce alcohol-related harm
Funded at Hart3s - a Social Purpose Corporation · NIH-11318588 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-centered mobile health program called mHaRT-A helps adults who drink with the goal of reducing drinking harm and improving health, even if they aren’t ready to stop drinking.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hart3s - a Social Purpose Corporation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Spokane, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,037,823 |
| NIH project number | 2R44AA031393-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11318588 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21+ who are open to reducing alcohol-related harm and who may face barriers to in-person treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not seeking help to change drinking behavior or those whose situation requires different intervention approaches.
What this research studies
This project builds and tests a flexible mobile health version of an evidence-based, low-barrier in-person treatment for alcohol use that meets people where they are. It partners with people with alcohol use concerns and providers to tailor goals and provide support through a smartphone app. The study will test whether the mobile program reduces heavy drinking and related harms and improves quality of life in adults 21 and older who are seeking care or follow-up services. The approach emphasizes user-centered design, ease of access, and practical strategies that fit real-life barriers like time, travel, and cost.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the app could make effective harm-reduction support more accessible and reduce alcohol-related harm for a broad group of adults.
How similar studies have gone: Prior NIH trials show in-person HaRT-A reduces heavy drinking and harm; this project extends to a mobile platform with similar goals.
Where this research is happening
-
Hart3s - a Social Purpose Corporation
Spokane, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Clifasefi, Seema Lisa — Hart3s - a Social Purpose Corporation
- Study coordinator: Clifasefi, Seema Lisa
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.