Race-based stress reduction to improve well-being and inflammation in older African American women at risk for cardiometabolic disease
Official title: The Impact of a Race-Based Stress Reduction Intervention on Well-Being, Inflammation, and DNA methylation in Older African American Women at Risk for Cardiometabolic Disease
Funded at Loyola University Chicago · NIH-11299532 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A group-based 8-week program helps older African American women who are at risk for cardiometabolic disease manage stress from racism and sexism to improve well-being and reduce inflammation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Loyola University Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Maywood, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $651,710 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG081251-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11299532 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older African American women at risk for cardiometabolic disease who experience race-related stress and discrimination.
✕Less likely to help
Participants without significant race-related stress or who do not respond to behavioral interventions may see limited personal benefit.
What this research studies
This trial tests RiSE, a race-based stress reduction program combining cognitive-behavioral strategies with empowerment and racial identity work, delivered in group sessions over 8 weeks. Participants are older African American women at risk for cardiometabolic disease, and the study will measure well-being, inflammatory markers, and DNA methylation changes. The goal is to see whether reducing stress related to racism can lower inflammation and influence disease-related biological processes. The approach builds on preliminary work suggesting that stress reduction may benefit psychological health and biological risk factors tied to cardiometabolic disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience improved well-being and potentially lower inflammation, which could reduce risk factors for cardiometabolic disease.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests stress reduction can impact psychological distress and inflammation, but this specific race-based intervention is being tested for its effects on DNAm and CMD risk.
Where this research is happening
-
Loyola University Chicago
Maywood, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Saban, Karen Lynn — Loyola University Chicago
- Study coordinator: Saban, Karen Lynn
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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.