Understanding how to share wastewater research results with communities
Official title: Engaging community Members to Plan for dissemination Of Wastewater Epidemiology Results (The EMPOWER Study)
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11115763 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about talking to people in Texas to find out the best ways to share important health information from wastewater testing, like what we learn about germs including the coronavirus, so that everyone feels informed and comfortable with how this information is shared.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $397,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01ES036232-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11115763 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are community members in Texas who are interested in public health and wastewater management.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not residents of Texas or those not engaged in community health initiatives may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing ethical guidelines for sharing results from wastewater surveillance programs that monitor various pathogens, including the coronavirus. It involves engaging with community members in Texas to understand their values and perspectives on how these results should be communicated. The study will utilize participant observation and interviews with stakeholders to identify challenges and opportunities in disseminating this information. By fostering community engagement, the research aims to build trust and ensure that communication is tailored to address ethical and social concerns.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and responsible communication of public health information, enhancing community trust and response to health threats.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of engaging communities in wastewater research is relatively novel, similar community engagement strategies have shown promise in other public health initiatives.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcguire, Amy L — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Mcguire, Amy L
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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.