Using mobile health tools to improve recovery for Black individuals with opioid use disorder and mental health issues
Official title: Leveraging mHealth to Increase Health Equity among Black Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder and Commonly Occurring Mental Health Disorders
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10906174 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about creating helpful mobile apps to support Black individuals dealing with opioid use disorder and mental health challenges, aiming to make sure everyone gets the care they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $180,457 |
| NIH project number | 5K01DA058750-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10906174 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Black individuals diagnosed with opioid use disorder and commonly occurring mental health disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as Black or do not have opioid use disorder or related mental health issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing and testing mobile health (mHealth) interventions aimed at promoting health equity for Black individuals struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD) and commonly occurring mental health disorders (COMD). The project will provide training to Dr. Hannah Szlyk, who will learn from experts in clinical trials and health equity to create effective digital therapeutic solutions. The goal is to adapt these interventions specifically for the needs of Black Americans, addressing the rising rates of opioid-related deaths in this population. The research will involve both theoretical training and practical application through clinical trials and user-centered design.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective recovery tools tailored for Black individuals facing opioid use disorder and mental health challenges.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using digital health interventions to improve treatment outcomes, suggesting that this approach could be effective for the targeted population.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Szlyk, Hannah — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Szlyk, Hannah
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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.