Understanding and measuring how structural ableism affects health for disabled individuals
Identifying and Measuring Domains of Structural Ableism to Advance Health Equity for the Disability Community
This study is looking at how unfair policies and practices that favor people without disabilities affect the health of those with disabilities, and it aims to gather information from the community to help improve health equity for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10992728 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research aims to identify and quantify the ways in which structural ableism—policies and practices that favor able-bodied individuals—contributes to health inequities faced by the disability community. Over five years, the project will develop validated measures of structural ableism through a combination of historical analysis, policy review, and interviews with key informants. The research will also create individual-level measures to assess personal experiences of discrimination and community-level assessments using existing datasets to explore the impact on health outcomes. By engaging with the disability community, the project seeks to translate findings into actionable insights that can inform health equity initiatives.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals within the disability community who experience health inequities due to structural ableism.
Not a fit: Patients who do not identify as disabled or do not experience health disparities related to structural ableism may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and interventions that address health disparities experienced by disabled individuals.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific focus on structural ableism is relatively novel, similar research on structural oppression has shown promising results in addressing health disparities.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Valdez, Rupa Sheth — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Valdez, Rupa Sheth
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.