PHASES: public health steps to support autism across the life span
Official title: Public Health and Autism Science advancing Effectual Strategies across the life course (PHASES)
Funded at Drexel University · NIH-11412945 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aimed at improving autism detection, health care, and overall well‑being from early childhood through older adulthood, by using public health strategies to reach more people and better services.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Drexel University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 6, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,895,864 |
| NIH project number | 5P50HD111142-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11412945 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with autism or suspected autism across childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, and older adulthood, as well as their families and caregivers.
✕Less likely to help
Some groups may not directly benefit in the short term, such as those outside the health systems studied or without access to relevant services.
What this research studies
PHASES is a large center project at Drexel University that uses a life-course approach to autism. It looks at how health factors, access to care, and health services affect outcomes for people with autism across childhood, adolescence, and later life. The center includes three projects: early detection in primary care, analysis of Medicaid and national data for adolescents/young adults with autism and co-occurring conditions, and health/cognitive outcomes in middle-aged to older autistic adults. By examining timing of diagnosis, health disparities, and service delivery, PHASES aims to identify modifiable factors to improve care and life chances for autistic individuals and their families.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, PHASES could lead to earlier autism diagnoses, better access to high‑quality care, and improved health and quality of life for autistic people across all ages.
How similar studies have gone: Other centers have shown that public health approaches can identify gaps in early detection and improve care pathways for autism, but this center integrates life-course data and policy relevance in a unique way.
Where this research is happening
-
Drexel University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Robins, Diana L — Drexel University
- Study coordinator: Robins, Diana L
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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.