Understanding why Black and White patients experience different rates of heart disease and heart failure.
Official title: REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke-Myocardial Infarction-4 (REGARDS-MI-4)
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11081894 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at why Black and White people in the U.S. experience heart disease and heart failure differently, focusing on how social factors and racism play a role, and it aims to help researchers understand these issues better while also supporting new scientists from diverse backgrounds.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $241,538 |
| NIH project number | 3R01HL165452-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11081894 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include Black and White adults who are at risk for or have been diagnosed with coronary heart disease or heart failure.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as Black or White or those without risk factors for heart disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the persistent disparities in coronary heart disease (CHD) and heart failure (HF) between Black and White populations in the U.S. It focuses on how social determinants of health, including structural racism, impact these disparities over a person's lifetime. By examining both the incidence and recurrence of heart conditions, the study aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms that contribute to these differences. The research will also provide valuable data on heart disease events and causes of death, which can be utilized by other investigators. Additionally, it includes a career development program for early-stage investigators, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and interventions that reduce heart disease disparities among different racial groups.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that addressing social determinants of health can lead to meaningful improvements in health outcomes, suggesting that this approach may yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Safford, Monika M — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Safford, Monika M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Why heart attacks and strokes affect people differently across places and races
This project follows adults across the U.S. to see how lifelong social and neighborhood factors shape heart attacks, heart failure, and recovery, with attention to Black adults and regions with high disease rates.
-
Why heart attacks and strokes differ by race and where you live
This project explores how lifelong social and neighborhood factors shape the risk of heart attacks and heart failure and how well adults recover, especially across different racial groups and U.S. regions.
-
Understanding why Black and White patients experience different rates of heart disease and stroke.
This study is looking at why Black and White people in the U.S. experience different rates of heart disease and heart failure, focusing on how social factors and racism play a role, and it aims to understand how people bounce back from heart health issues to help improve care for everyone.
-
Stroke prevention with hydroxyurea for children with sickle cell anemia in Nigeria
A multinational, patient-facing study tests whether hydroxyurea can safely prevent first strokes in Nigerian children with sickle cell anemia.
-
Music-powered tools to boost blood pressure and stroke prevention for Nigerian youth and their older caregivers
This project uses popular music to help Nigerian youths and their older family members start and stick to blood pressure and stroke prevention habits.
-
Determinants of Post-Stroke Cognitive Outcomes and Vascular Effects on Recovery
A large, multi-site effort aims to understand why some stroke survivors develop long-term cognitive problems and dementia, and how vascular health and pre-existing brain changes influence recovery.
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.