Psychosocial and cultural factors shaping heart and diabetes risk in older Chinese Americans
Official title: Psychosocial and cultural determinants of cardiometabolic health among older Chinese Americans
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11383449 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how daily stress and culture affect heart and diabetes health in older Chinese Americans who were born outside the U.S.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $693,243 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL180657-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11383449 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults (likely 60+) who are foreign-born Chinese Americans with or at risk for cardiometabolic conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Adults outside this population or without interest in stress-related health factors may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
Researchers will follow 300 older foreign-born Chinese Americans to understand how everyday stress influences blood pressure and related biologic signals like cortisol, using real-time data collection and biological samples. The study will also examine how cultural factors such as family expectations and acculturation may change these effects over time. Through a prospective design and biospecimen collection, the project aims to map biobehavioral pathways that link stress to cardiometabolic health in this population. Findings could inform culturally tailored interventions to improve health and reduce disparities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of stress and cultural factors could lead to personalized strategies to prevent heart disease and diabetes in older Chinese Americans.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows stress and cortisol relate to cardiometabolic risk in diverse groups, but this specific focus on older foreign-born Chinese Americans is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jiang, Yanping — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Jiang, Yanping
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Preterm infant body composition and early-life health after NICU stay
This grant studies how body composition in very preterm babies relates to later brain development and risk of obesity or diabetes, with findings meant to improve care from NICU through early childhood.
-
Psychosocial and cultural factors linked to heart and metabolic health in older Chinese Americans
This project studies how daily stress and social factors affect heart and metabolic health in older Chinese Americans, using real-time reporting and biosamples.
-
Early life factors shaping heart health in HIV-exposed versus unexposed kids in South Africa
A study following children from birth through adolescence to understand how HIV exposure and early infections influence heart-related health risks.
-
Early-life factors shaping heart health in HIV-exposed and unexposed children in South Africa
This project follows children from birth through adolescence to understand how being exposed to HIV before birth affects their metabolic and heart health over time.
-
Promoting steady activity for adults with obesity through PATH-powered exercise videos and remote coaching
A weight-neutral online program called PATH uses YouTube workout videos and remote coaching to help adults with obesity stay active and improve heart health over a year.
-
Morning light to improve heart and blood sugar health in adults with Type 1 Diabetes
A small trial tests whether morning bright light can improve blood sugar control and blood pressure in adults with Type 1 Diabetes.
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.