Understanding and reducing diagnostic errors caused by ableism in healthcare
Official title: End Diagnostic Overshadowing: Addressing Ableism in the Healthcare Context
Funded at Rush University Medical Center · NIH-10992885 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how biases against people with disabilities can cause doctors to overlook other health issues, and it aims to find ways to help ensure that everyone gets the right diagnosis and care they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rush University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $553,529 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD116320-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10992885 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with disabilities, particularly those with mobility impairments, mental health concerns, or sensory disabilities, as well as patients from marginalized racial and ethnic groups.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without disabilities or those who do not belong to marginalized communities may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how ableism leads to diagnostic overshadowing, where symptoms are misattributed to a patient's disability rather than identifying new or comorbid conditions. The project aims to uncover the mechanisms behind this phenomenon and develop strategies to mitigate its effects. By analyzing healthcare coding practices and conducting mock evaluations, the research seeks to improve diagnostic accuracy for individuals with disabilities and those from marginalized backgrounds. The ultimate goal is to enhance healthcare outcomes by ensuring that all patients receive appropriate diagnoses and treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate diagnoses and better healthcare outcomes for patients with disabilities and those from marginalized communities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has highlighted the prevalence of diagnostic overshadowing and its negative impact on patient care, indicating that addressing this issue could lead to significant improvements in healthcare delivery.
Where this research is happening
-
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ailey, Sarah Herrink — Rush University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Ailey, Sarah Herrink
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding Fragile X Syndrome: How it progresses and affects daily life
A long-term study using existing Fragile X data to map how the condition changes over time in children and young adults, including how autism, race, and location influence outcomes.
-
Understanding how brain resilience and multiple brain pathologies influence aging and Alzheimer's disease
A long-term study follows older adults to learn how resilience to brain changes helps reduce dementia risk and what biological factors are linked to better cognitive aging.
-
Mexican Teachers Cohort Study: Genetics and Cognitive Function
A large study using genetic data from Mexican teachers to discover genetic factors linked to memory and thinking in older adults.
-
Genetics and Cognitive Function in Mexican Teachers Cohort for Alzheimer’s Dementia
This grant funds a large study to find genetic factors linked to memory and thinking in Mexican teachers, with the goal of improving understanding of Alzheimer’s-related dementia.
-
Menstrual cups for economically vulnerable women to improve vaginal health and reduce sexually transmitted infections
A single-arm study will test whether using menstrual cups helps economically vulnerable women reduce bacterial vaginosis and sexually transmitted infections by promoting safer menstrual practices.
-
Gut-Brain Axis in Parkinson’s Disease: biomarkers and procedures to track progression
A patient-focused program to study how gut health and the brain interact in Parkinson’s disease using biomarkers and clinical procedures.
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.