Using wastewater to track health in Tribal communities.
Official title: ASU Faculty Enhancement: Wastewater-based epidemiology: relevant health metrics in Tribal communities.
Funded at Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, INC. · NIH-10922711 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how testing wastewater can help us understand health issues like COVID-19 and substance abuse in Tribal communities, while also making sure to respect their needs and opinions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Phoenix, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $119,201 |
| NIH project number | 5S06GM142123-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10922711 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include members of Tribal communities who are interested in health monitoring and improving health outcomes in their populations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not reside in Tribal communities or those without access to centralized sewer treatment systems may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) can be utilized to measure health metrics in Tribal communities, focusing on issues like COVID-19 and substance abuse. By analyzing chemical metabolites, bacteria, and viruses found in wastewater, the project aims to develop a framework for responsible WBE research that respects Tribal sovereignty and infrastructure. The study will also gather insights from Tribal leaders and community members to understand their perceptions of WBE and identify relevant health indicators that can be monitored through this method.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide Tribal communities with valuable insights into public health trends and disparities, enabling targeted interventions.
How similar studies have gone: While wastewater-based epidemiology has been successful in other communities, its application in Tribal settings is novel and has not been extensively documented.
Where this research is happening
-
Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, INC.
Phoenix, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Conroy-Ben, Otakuye — Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, INC.
- Study coordinator: Conroy-Ben, Otakuye
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.