UCSF Prevention Center to Reduce Loneliness in older LGBTQ+ adults
Official title: DP24-004, PRC Core: UCSF Prevention Research Center: Reducing social isolation among older LGBTQ+ adults
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11500983 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A center at UCSF will partner with communities to reduce loneliness and social isolation among LGBTQ+ adults ages 60 and up.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | September 29, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,000,000 |
| NIH project number | 5U48DP006806-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11500983 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older LGBTQ+ adults (typically 60+), especially those experiencing loneliness or social isolation.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without limited social connectedness or those not engaged with community programs may see little personal benefit.
What this research studies
This project creates a Prevention Research Center at UCSF to translate proven, peer-led social connection strategies for older LGBTQ+ adults into real-world community settings. It brings together geriatricians, public health experts, and community partners to adapt and scale up interventions that have shown promise in research settings. The goal is to improve health and well-being by boosting social connectedness in diverse LGBTQ+ communities. The center will work with local groups to implement programs that can be held in community spaces and updated based on feedback from participants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could meaningfully reduce loneliness and improve health outcomes for older LGBTQ+ adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous interventions improved social connectedness in research settings, but broader community-scale replication is needed.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ramirez-Valles, Jesus — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Ramirez-Valles, Jesus
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How social isolation affects aging health in schizophrenia
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-
How Social Isolation Impacts Aging in People with Schizophrenia
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How social isolation affects aging health in schizophrenia
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The effect of social isolation on aging health in people with schizophrenia
This study explores how being socially isolated may speed up aging-related health problems in people with schizophrenia.
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Genetic and brain factors behind how people respond to social isolation
A study to understand why some individuals respond differently to social isolation by looking at genes and brain circuits.
-
Strengthening Bonds: A telephone reminiscence program to reduce loneliness in rural older adults
A phone-based program helps rural adults 21+ stay socially connected and improve mental health with guided conversations about their life memories.
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.