Understanding how social factors affect fatty liver disease in different communities
Official title: Social determinants of fatty liver disease and its racial/ethnic disparities: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Funded at Drexel University · NIH-11106004 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how social and community factors contribute to fatty liver disease and why it affects some racial and ethnic groups more than others.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Drexel University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $580,398 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK136171-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11106004 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This project uses existing data from a large, diverse group of people, so direct patient participation is not currently sought.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking immediate new treatments or direct clinical care will not find a direct benefit from this observational data analysis project.
What this research studies
We know that liver disease is a growing problem, especially fatty liver diseases like NAFLD and ALD, which affect many people worldwide. While individual habits like diet and alcohol use play a role, this project explores how broader social and community conditions also influence who gets fatty liver disease and why certain groups are more affected. We are using information from a large, ongoing health project called the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) to understand these connections better. By looking at both individual and community factors, we hope to uncover new ways to address these health differences.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us develop more effective public health strategies and interventions that consider social factors to reduce fatty liver disease and its unequal impact on different communities.
How similar studies have gone: While individual risk factors for fatty liver disease are well-known, research specifically on the role of social and community-level factors in its disparities is limited, making this a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Drexel University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lazo Elizondo, Mariana — Drexel University
- Study coordinator: Lazo Elizondo, Mariana
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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.