Testing a new program to support veterans' health through peer engagement
Official title: Initial Testing of Whole Health STEPS (Structured Tiered Engagement with Peer Support)
Funded at Syracuse VA Medical Center · NIH-10977029 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new program called Whole Health STEPS to help veterans get more involved in their healthcare by offering different levels of support over 8 weeks, from self-help tools to one-on-one coaching, all aimed at making it easier for them to access care and improve their health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Syracuse VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Syracuse, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2020 |
| Project end | September 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2RX003390-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10977029 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are veterans seeking support for their health management and engagement in healthcare services.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not veterans or those who do not require assistance with healthcare engagement may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research develops and evaluates the Whole Health STEPS program, which is designed to enhance healthcare engagement among veterans. The program consists of an 8-week stepped-care approach that includes various levels of support, from self-management tools to personalized coaching sessions. Veterans will receive weekly assessments to track their progress and determine if they need to move to a higher level of care. The goal is to create a patient-centered intervention that effectively addresses barriers to healthcare access and improves overall health outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve veterans' engagement in their healthcare and overall well-being.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that peer support and structured engagement can improve health outcomes, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Syracuse VA Medical Center
Syracuse, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johnson, Emily — Syracuse VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Johnson, Emily
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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.