Urban rat exposure and pediatric asthma in inner-city children
Official title: Urban rat exposure and pediatric asthma
Funded at Tufts University Boston · NIH-11372838 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores whether living near rats affects how bad asthma is for children in urban areas.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $166,679 |
| NIH project number | 5K08ES035460-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11372838 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children aged 0-11 years who are part of inner-city asthma cohorts (e.g., SICAS, EASY) and may be exposed to rat allergens.
✕Less likely to help
Children with asthma not exposed to urban rat allergens or not within the study cohorts may receive no direct benefit.
What this research studies
The project will use data from inner-city children already enrolled in existing cohorts to see if rat exposure relates to asthma severity. It will combine new methods to estimate rat presence, including population patterns and 311 complaint data, with home and school environment information. The goal is to identify if higher rat exposure is linked to more severe asthma, potentially guiding next steps to reduce rodent-related allergens. Dr. Rosenbaum will build clinical research skills while collaborating with veterinarians and public health experts to design practical interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to strategies that reduce rat-related allergens and lessen asthma severity in urban children.
How similar studies have gone: This is a novel approach evaluating rat population dynamics in relation to asthma severity in children.
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts University Boston
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rosenbaum, Marieke Hilarides — Tufts University Boston
- Study coordinator: Rosenbaum, Marieke Hilarides
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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.