Optimizing lifestyle programs to improve health in African Americans and rural communities
Official title: Optimizing and Projecting Lifestyle Behavioral Interventions to Sustain Long-term Health Behaviors and Outcomes in Focus Populations
Funded at University of South Carolina at Columbia · NIH-11422087 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A nationwide project will analyze how different lifestyle change programs (like diet and exercise) work best for Black communities and rural residents to reduce chronic diseases over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2025 |
| Project end | September 29, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $509,493 |
| NIH project number | 5U48DP006963-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11422087 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals in African American communities or rural areas who could participate in lifestyle-change programs.
✕Less likely to help
People not interested in or unable to participate in lifestyle-change programs may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project examines how lifestyle change interventions can be tailored in African American and rural populations to sustain long-term health benefits. Researchers will analyze existing data to understand how the dose and type of lifestyle programs affect physical activity, diet, body weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar over at least six months. The goal is to provide policymakers and program implementers with guidance on which LCIs work best within budget constraints for these communities. The work will involve meta-analyses of past studies to identify effective combinations and dosing strategies. Findings could inform real-world programs that help people stay healthier and reduce multimorbidity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could help design more effective, affordable lifestyle programs that reduce chronic diseases in African American and rural populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that lifestyle interventions can improve cardiometabolic risk factors, but tailoring for specific populations is ongoing and promising.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Carolina at Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Chih-Hsiang — University of South Carolina at Columbia
- Study coordinator: Yang, Chih-Hsiang
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.