William G. Coleman Award

National Institute On Minority Health And Health Disparities

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

In response to the announcement of the FY25 application period, we received 13 applications. After review by the Coleman award application review committee, 7 research projects were selected for FY25 funding. One applicant declined the award due to departure from the National Institute of Health. A description of the recipients and their research projects follows. These projects demonstrate the NIMHD DIR’s ability to leverage existing NIH investments in ongoing cohort studies, as well as NIMHD-DIR generated data sources. Amir Leuth, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Project Title: “Associations of Neighborhood Disadvantage and Oxylipins in Pregnancy” Socioeconomic disadvantages at the neighborhood level are significant risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Neighborhood disadvantage indices capture socioeconomic parameters, including income, education, employment, and housing quality. Dr. Leuth’s team hypothesizes that neighborhood disadvantages are associated with dysregulated inflammation and oxidative stress in pregnancy as measured by oxylipins. To test these hypotheses, they will link neighborhood disadvantage indices to 900 participants from the LIFECODES Fetal Growth Study, a prospective pregnancy cohort. Using existing oxylipin data from early pregnancy, they will then investigate how neighborhood disadvantage is associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. This study will characterize the distribution of neighborhood disadvantage indices and assess their relationship with novel mediators of inflammation and oxidative stress during early pregnancy. Findings from this research will inform targeted interventions to mitigate the impact of neighborhood disadvantage on maternal and fetal health. Bethany Ogbenna, Ph.D., M.P.H., Postdoctoral Fellow, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Project Title: “Cumulative Environmental and Social Assessments to Elucidate Key Drivers of Sleep Health Disparities Across the Life Course: A Step Toward Operationalizing the Exposome” Although sufficient sleep across all human life stages is essential for health and disease prevention, certain health disparities populations are disproportionately impacted by poor sleep health. The goal of the study is to determine socioeconomic status trajectories from childhood to adulthood in relation to adulthood sleep health. The research team will also investigate environmental factors, social and health risks in relationships to sleep health. Using the 2010-2018 Study for Environmental, Lifestyle and Fibroids data, the team will apply generalized estimated equations to log binomial regression models to assess associations between life course SES trajectories and sleep health. To examine associations between environmental factors and sleep health, the team will apply multilevel regression models and assess life course SES trajectories as potential modifiers using data from the 2018-2022 Personalized Genomics Study. Findings will identify community-level environmental, social, and health risks that will elucidate existing sleep disparities across the life course. David Adzrago, Ph.D., M.Phil., M.S.W., Postdoctoral Fellow, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities Project Title: “African Immigrants’ Perspectives on Mental Health and Mental Health Service Utilization: A Mixed Method Design” This study aims to explore African immigrants' perspectives on mental health and their mental health service utilization using a mixed-method research design. A total of 100 participants residing in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area will be recruited. The mixed method allows for combining qualitative and quantitative research elements, such as data collection, analysis, and inferences, to gain a broad and in-depth understanding of African immigrants’ views on mental health and its service use. The analysis will assess participants’ (1) understanding of mental health, (2) knowledge of early warning signs and symptoms of mental health problems, and (3) access to and utilization of mental health services. The findings will help to bridge the gap in the literature on African immigrant perspectives on and understanding of mental health and its service access and utilization. The long-term goal of this study is to provide large, nationally representative cross-sectional and longitudinal data on African immigrants while supporting intervention efforts in reducing mental health disparities in this population. Juliana Camargo, Ph.D., M.P.H., National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Project title: “Bridging Health Disparities in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Integrating Diet, Physical Activity, and Social Factors for Latina Individuals” Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a significant health risk among Latina individuals, with an incidence of 9.3%, resulting in an elevated conversion to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) after pregnancy. The elevated conversion rate may be due to poor GDM management, increased risk from family history of T2DM, lack of adherence to healthy diet and physical activity, and social factors, which combined may perpetuate persistent health disparities for the Latina population. This project aims to address these gaps by (1) identifying individual behaviors and community factors impacting the conversion of GDM to T2DM and (2) gaining more insight into Latina individuals’ perceptions of barriers and facilitators to healthy lifestyles during pregnancy. This study aims to lay the foundation for further research on diabetes prevention and women's health. The results can inform future interventions, clinical management programs, and public policies, contributing to reducing health disparities and improving long-term health outcomes for Latina individuals. Marcus Andrews, Ph.D., M.P.H., Postdoctoral Fellow, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Project title: “Exploring Disparities in Neighborhood Investment and Gentrification in Cardiovascular Kidney Metabolic Syndrome Among Urban Adults” Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome (CKMS) is a significant public health concern as it is the leading cause of death globally and disproportionately affects certain health disparities populations. Existing research has established associations between objective neighborhood measures and CKMS risk, but limited information exists exploring the role of neighborhood perceptions on these associations. Therefore, the team will examine associations between perceptions of gentrification/neighborhood investment and CKMs risk and whether these associations vary by length of residency, race, and household income or are mediated by specific domains of the neighborhood environment. The results from this study will advance our understanding of the complex mechanisms through which built neighborhood and social environments differentially impact chronic disease risk among urban populations. Such data could also identify community-level intervention targets to improve health and well-being. Oliver Wilson, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities Project title: “Factors Influencing Physical Activity Among Female Breast Cancer Survivors in the United States: A Cognitive Interview Study” Physical activity (PA) offers many benefits to breast cancer (BC) survivors, including reduced risk of recurrence and BC specific and all-cause mortality. However, there are significant disparities in PA participation among female BC survivors. The aim of this study is to acquire feedback on the structure and content of surveys that will examine the perspectives of health care providers (e.g., oncologists) and professionals who receive PA referrals (e.g., clinical exercise physiologists), and experiences, needs, and preferences related to PA participation among female BC survivors.