Understanding how environment and lifestyle affect child health in the Northern Plains
Official title: Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes in the Northern Plains PASS-ECHO Cohort
Funded at Avera Mckennan · NIH-11319124 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project helps us learn how factors like lifestyle and environment during pregnancy and childhood shape a child's health, especially their weight and brain development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Avera Mckennan NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Sioux Falls, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2016 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $5,232,574 |
| NIH project number | 4UH3OD023279-11 |
| Project ID | NIH-11319124 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants include pregnant individuals, mothers and their children, and those planning a pregnancy, particularly from American Indian and rural communities in the Northern Plains.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not planning a pregnancy, not currently pregnant, or not within the specified geographic and community focus may not directly benefit from participation in this specific cohort.
What this research studies
We are continuing to follow a large group of mothers and children, called the PASS-ECHO cohort, to understand how different environmental and lifestyle factors impact their health over time. Our goal is to see how things like a mother's stress during pregnancy, or her diet and daily habits, might affect her child's risk for obesity and how their brain develops. We are also inviting new pregnant individuals and those planning a pregnancy to join, with a special focus on including families from American Indian and rural communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a better understanding of how to prevent childhood obesity and support healthy brain development by identifying key environmental and lifestyle factors.
How similar studies have gone: This project builds upon the successful strategies and strong community relationships established by the PASS-ECHO team since 2016, indicating a proven track record in cohort management and scientific collaboration.
Where this research is happening
-
Avera Mckennan
Sioux Falls, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Elliott, Amy J — Avera Mckennan
- Study coordinator: Elliott, Amy J
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.