Understanding GI Cancer Disparities in Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders
Official title: Understanding Gastrointestinal Cancer Disparities among Native Hawaiians / Pacific Islanders
Funded at University of Hawaii at Manoa · NIH-11280408 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A NIH-funded project aims to understand why Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have different gastrointestinal cancer outcomes and how social factors influence these differences.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Hawaii at Manoa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Honolulu, United States) |
| Project start | September 2, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $727,499 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MD021809-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11280408 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander individuals in Hawaii and related communities who are affected by gastrointestinal cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals outside NH/PI communities or those not impacted by GI cancer may not directly benefit from this grant.
What this research studies
This project looks at how social, cultural, and economic factors shape gastrointestinal cancer outcomes for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in Hawaii. Researchers will link public health data with cancer records to explore how living conditions and vulnerability relate to cancer screening, treatment, and survival. The goal is to identify which factors most strongly affect disparities so communities can receive more tailored support and resources. The study uses diverse data sources and a cross-disciplinary approach to uncover meaningful patterns that could guide future interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to targeted programs and policies that reduce GI cancer disparities for NH/PI communities.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work linking social determinants to cancer outcomes shows promise, but this project is among the first to focus on NH/PI populations in Hawaii for GI cancer disparities.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, Herbert — University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Study coordinator: Yu, Herbert
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Translational science to understand how GI cancers start and grow in Barrett’s esophagus
This grant looks at how Barrett’s esophagus may lead to esophageal cancer and colorectal cancer and what early signs could hint at cancer forming.
-
Gastrointestinal Cancer SPORE at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
A multi-year NIH grant supports focused work on colorectal cancer at Vanderbilt with emphasis on collaborative research, resources, and patient advocacy to accelerate discoveries and potential treatments.
-
ctDNA-based monitoring to guide extra treatment after colorectal cancer surgery
A doctor-led program will use a blood test to find tiny cancer traces after surgery for Stage III colorectal cancer and see if additional therapy can improve chances of cure.
-
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Help Fatigue and Caregiver Burden in Advanced GI Cancer
A patient-facing trial will test a telephone-based therapy to help people with advanced gastrointestinal cancer manage fatigue and reduce the stress on their family caregivers.
-
Predicting GI cancer outcomes using routine blood data in everyday care
A doctor-researcher will develop and test computer models that use routine blood test results to flag potential gastrointestinal cancers during normal clinic visits.
-
Vanderbilt program to improve colorectal cancer care
Vanderbilt researchers are developing new tests and treatments to help people with colorectal cancer live longer and healthier lives.
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.