Primary Care HEART-NET: boosting access to research in the Deep South
Official title: Primary Care HEART-NET in the Deep South
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11618658 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A collaboration across three universities will build primary care research networks in Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi to improve access to care and help prevent and manage chronic diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2026 |
| Project end | September 17, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $14,467,148 |
| NIH project number | 4OT2OD038381-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11618658 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults receiving care at partner primary care clinics in Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi who are open to participating in research integrated into routine care.
✕Less likely to help
Patients in clinics not participating in the HEART-NET network or those uninterested in research participation may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This grant funds a nationwide effort to bring research and new technologies into everyday primary care clinics in the Deep South. Teams will integrate research workflows into routine clinic visits, involve patients and communities in shaping research priorities, and use innovative tech to make participation easier. The project aims to strengthen local research capacity, reduce burden on clinics, and accelerate improvements in chronic disease prevention and treatment. It focuses on real-world implementation in settings with many rural patients and limited resources.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Patients could experience earlier access to research-driven improvements in primary care and chronic disease management.
How similar studies have gone: Previous CTSAs and practice-based networks have shown that integrating research into primary care can improve patient outcomes and clinic efficiency, with variable success across regions.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Asif, Irfan — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Asif, Irfan
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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.