Why advanced fatty liver disease affects Hispanic communities more
Mechanisms of Advanced NAFLD Disparities in Hispanics: A Multi-level Analysis
This project compares genetic, lifestyle, environmental, and immune factors in Hispanic and non-Hispanic white adults in Los Angeles to understand what leads to advanced fatty liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238464 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
I would be asked to join a large study in Los Angeles that enrolls people with and without fatty liver disease and collects blood and tissue samples, health records, and questionnaire information. Researchers will use FibroScan and ultrasound to classify liver fibrosis and will map neighborhood and environmental factors where participants live. The team will compare 1,000 Hispanic and 1,000 non-Hispanic white patients with varying fibrosis levels plus 1,000 matched controls and follow case groups over time to see who progresses. The study combines genetics, lifestyle, immune measures, and geospatial data to find why disease rates and severity differ by race/ethnicity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults in Los Angeles County (Hispanic or non-Hispanic white) who either have FibroScan- or ultrasound-confirmed fatty liver with known fibrosis stage or who are matched controls without NAFLD.
Not a fit: People who live outside the Los Angeles area, are of other racial/ethnic groups not included in the study, or whose liver disease is primarily alcohol-related may not benefit from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal causes of higher NAFLD severity in Hispanic people and point to earlier detection or tailored prevention strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked genetics and lifestyle to NAFLD risk, but this large, multi-level prospective study focused on Hispanic disparities is broader and less common.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Setiawan, Veronica Wendy — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Setiawan, Veronica Wendy
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 below.