Exploring the impact of structural racism and discrimination on health in diverse families

Multi-level Predictors of Structural Racism and Discrimination and Associations With Health and Well-being Across the Life Course in Diverse Families

Observational University of Colorado, Denver · NCT05744973

This study looks at how different types of racism and discrimination affect the health and well-being of diverse families living in cities.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment631 (estimated)
Ages8 Years to 18 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Colorado, Denver Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Athens, Georgia and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05744973 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study investigates how various levels of structural racism and discrimination affect the health and well-being of racially and ethnically diverse families living in urban settings. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of these systemic issues by examining multiple levels of racism and discrimination simultaneously, rather than in isolation. The study will gather data from primary caregivers of children, focusing on their experiences and the broader socio-economic factors at play. By utilizing a longitudinal approach, it seeks to capture the nuances of these experiences over time.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are primary caregivers of children from racially and ethnically diverse families residing in Athens-Clarke County or surrounding areas.

Not a fit: Patients who do not reside in the specified geographic areas or who are not primary caregivers may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved interventions and policies aimed at reducing health disparities in minoritized populations.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies examining aspects of structural racism and health, this comprehensive multi-level approach is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* willingness to provide informed consent (parent/guardian), parental consent (parent/guardian) and assent (minor participants) and the ability for participants to comply with study requirements
* They are the child's primary caregiver, i.e., they are the adult who spends the largest proportion of time caring for the child (e.g., cleaning, feeding, etc.) or they spent an exactly equal proportion to another caregiver (e.g., parents each with 50% of childcare responsibilities).
* They reside in Athens-Clarke County or surrounding counties (i.e., Barrow, Jackson, Madison, Oglethorpe, and Oconee) served by the Piedmont Healthcare Coalition region
* Have access to a smartphone or other internet-connected device (e.g., iPad; home computer; laptop)
* Are able to read either English or Spanish

UMN site:

* participation in the original Family Matters Ecological Momentary Assessment sub-study
* did not withdraw from the Family Matters study
* ability to participate in an in-person visit (e.g., within driving distance to make an in-person visit)
* The original Family Matters study enrolled vulnerable populations including children, pregnant women, disadvantaged persons, and non-English speakers.

UGA site:

* Child has a racial/ethnic identity reported by the parent as Black, Hispanic, or White Reside in Athens-Clarke County or surrounding counties (i.e., Barrow, Jackson, Madison, Oglethorpe, and Oconee) served by the Piedmont Healthcare Coalition region
* Have access to a smartphone or other internet-connected device (e.g., iPad; home computer; laptop)
* Are able to read either English or Spanish
* Aged 8 to 18 years old

Exclusion Criteria:

* Medically necessary dietary restrictions (e.g., feeding tubes)
* BMI \< 5%ile
* A diagnosis of a serious and persistent mental illness
* The child's parent/caregiver believes that the child is not developmentally able to participate in study components (e.g., severe autism)
* The family already has one parent or one child enrolled in the study
* There are no more availabilities in the family's census tract (limited to 10 households per tract). UGA also is interested in recruiting families from a range of census tracts in the Athens, GA area. If UGA finds that many families are coming from a few census tracts, they may restrict enrollment of new participants who are from those already-represented census tracts.

Where this trial is running

Athens, Georgia and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Racially/Ethnically Diverse Families From Urban Settings
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.