Solar power and chronic disease care for older Puerto Ricans
Disasters, solar energy, and chronic disease management in aging Puerto Ricans
['FUNDING_R01'] · FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY · NIH-11250091
This project looks at how access to solar power helps people 50 and older in Puerto Rico manage long-term conditions like diabetes, kidney, and lung disease.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (MIAMI, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11250091 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
I am an older Puerto Rican living with chronic illness and this project follows communities that are introducing solar power to see how that change affects day-to-day care. The team partners with the community organization Casa Pueblo to document how solar technology is introduced, how people are trained to use it, and how energized communal points are used during outages. Researchers will talk with patients, caregivers, community leaders, and local agencies and will collect systematic information about community traits like collective identity and individualism that might help or hurt chronic disease management. The work focuses on practical issues such as keeping medications refrigerated, powering medical devices, and maintaining access to care during and after disasters.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are Puerto Ricans aged 50 or older living in communities adopting solar energy, especially those with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or chronic respiratory conditions.
Not a fit: People under 50, those without chronic conditions, or residents outside Puerto Rico or in communities without solar initiatives are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help shape local programs and policies that use solar energy to reduce health risks for older adults during power outages.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies indicate that energy independence can improve health after disasters, but using community solar adoption specifically to support chronic disease management in aging Puerto Ricans is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
MIAMI, UNITED STATES
- FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY — MIAMI, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: VARAS-DIAZ, NELSON — FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: VARAS-DIAZ, NELSON
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 below.