The impact of drinking water quality on the health of older Americans and inequality
Official title: Drinking Water Quality, the Health of Older Americans, and Inequality
Funded at National Bureau of Economic Research · NIH-10991377 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how dirty drinking water impacts the health of older adults, especially those with ongoing health issues, and it aims to find out if improving water treatment facilities can help make their water safer and healthier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | National Bureau of Economic Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $745,741 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG079914-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10991377 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults, particularly those living in communities with known drinking water quality issues or chronic health conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger and do not have chronic health conditions or those living in areas with already high-quality drinking water may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how drinking water pollution affects the health of older Americans, particularly those with chronic conditions. It aims to understand the implications of federal loans designed to upgrade drinking water treatment facilities and how these improvements can reduce pollution levels. By analyzing data from various communities, the study will assess the health outcomes related to drinking water quality and the economic factors influencing access to safe water. The findings could inform policies to ensure that vulnerable populations receive safe and affordable drinking water.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved drinking water quality and better health outcomes for older Americans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that improvements in drinking water quality can lead to significant health benefits, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
National Bureau of Economic Research
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shapiro, Joseph — National Bureau of Economic Research
- Study coordinator: Shapiro, Joseph
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.