Mortality in Autism: Understanding Death Risk Across Ages in ASD
Official title: Mortality in Autism
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11402260 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how likely people with autism are to die at different ages and what might influence those risks, using Medicaid data.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $422,355 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD108138-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11402260 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with autism spectrum disorder who are Medicaid beneficiaries across various age groups.
✕Less likely to help
People without autism or those not represented in Medicaid data may not directly benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
If this grant proceeds, researchers will use Medicaid records to map age- and sex-specific death risks for people with and without autism, and to explore which causes of death are more common in ASD. They will also examine how factors like gender, intellectual disability, race, and ethnicity modify these risks, with attention to disparities. The study aims to translate findings into better life expectancy and targeted supports for autistic individuals across the lifespan. The work emphasizes population data analysis to identify where interventions could reduce excess mortality in the ASD community.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could guide policies and services to improve longevity and health outcomes for people with ASD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has highlighted higher mortality concerns in ASD, but this project adds age-specific and race/ethnicity disparities to inform action.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Guohua — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Li, Guohua
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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.