Social factors and fatty liver disease disparities across diverse communities
Official title: Social determinants of fatty liver disease and its racial/ethnic disparities: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Funded at Drexel University · NIH-11381709 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project will look at how where people live and their social circumstances influence fatty liver disease and why it hits some racial/ethnic groups harder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Drexel University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $572,398 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK136171-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381709 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds who have or are at risk for fatty liver disease, particularly in communities with socioeconomic disadvantage.
✕Less likely to help
If you do not have fatty liver disease or live in a community with limited access to health resources, you may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project will explore how neighborhood environments, socioeconomic status, and social determinants relate to fatty liver disease (NAFLD and ALD) across diverse populations. It uses analysis of existing data and possibly new data collection to understand how community factors contribute to disparities beyond individual risk factors like obesity and drinking. The goal is to uncover patterns that could guide community- and policy-level approaches to prevention and care. The work is led by a team at Drexel University and focuses on real-world factors that affect patients in different communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform targeted interventions and policies to reduce fatty liver disease disparities and improve outcomes for underserved groups.
How similar studies have gone: There is evidence that social and environmental factors influence liver disease risk, but this study aims to expand understanding of disparities across multiple communities.
Where this research is happening
-
Drexel University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lazo Elizondo, Mariana — Drexel University
- Study coordinator: Lazo Elizondo, Mariana
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Understanding how social factors affect fatty liver disease in different communities
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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.