Understanding how environmental factors affect Native American children's health over time

Understanding Risk Gradients from Environment on Native American Child Health Trajectories: Toxicants, Immunomodulation, Metabolic syndromes, & Metals Exposure

NIH-funded research University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr · NIH-11319092

This project looks at how environmental factors, like exposure to certain chemicals and metals, might shape the health and development of Native American children from birth.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Albuquerque, United States)
Project IDNIH-11319092 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

The Navajo Birth Cohort Study (NBCS) is a long-term project following children from birth in a tribal community. We are exploring how things in their environment, their diet, their culture, and their family's background might influence their health and how they grow. This includes looking at how early experiences and exposures might affect their language, learning, and social development over time. We also want to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic might have impacted their development.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This project is specifically for children and families participating in the Navajo Birth Cohort Study.

Not a fit: Patients not part of the Navajo Birth Cohort Study would not directly participate in this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us better understand and address health challenges faced by Native American children, leading to improved health strategies and support.

How similar studies have performed: While this is the first large-scale cohort of its kind for a tribal population, similar birth cohort studies in other populations have successfully identified environmental and social factors influencing child health.

Where this research is happening

Albuquerque, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions COVID-19 infectionCOVID-19 virus infectionCOVID19 infection
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.