Mobile family support for Black teens with type 1 diabetes
Official title: Family mHealth Intervention to Improve Health Outcomes in Black Youth with Type 1 Diabetes: A Multi-Center Randomized Controlled Trial
Funded at Wayne State University · NIH-11252873 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project compares a mobile, family-focused program to usual care for Black adolescents aged 12–20 with type 1 diabetes to help improve blood sugar control and reduce stress.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wayne State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $592,721 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MD018583-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11252873 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Black adolescents roughly 12–20 years old with a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes and their primary caregivers are the ideal candidates for participation.
✕Less likely to help
People without type 1 diabetes, those outside the adolescent age range, or those not enrolling with a caregiver are unlikely to be eligible or directly benefit from this program.
What this research studies
You and your caregiver would be invited to join a randomized trial that compares a culturally tailored mobile program to usual care to support Black teens with type 1 diabetes. The program delivers brief eHealth modules and family-focused strategies through phones and tablets and includes resources for caregivers. The study enrolls adolescents (about 12–20 years old) and their primary caregivers across multiple centers and tracks blood sugar control, diabetes management behaviors, and caregiver mental health over time. Participation involves regular remote app activities, brief check-ins, and clinical measures such as A1c.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve blood sugar control and family coping for Black adolescents with type 1 diabetes and reduce caregiver stress.
How similar studies have gone: Family-based and eHealth interventions have shown promise for diabetes management, but few rigorous randomized trials have tested culturally tailored programs specifically for Black adolescents with T1D.
Where this research is happening
-
Wayne State University
Detroit, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ellis, Deborah a. — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Ellis, Deborah a.
Related research
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Improving health outcomes for Black youth with type 1 diabetes through family interventions
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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.