Research Description
Poverty increases the risk of death and disability from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cancer, heart disease, stroke and diabetes in low- and middle-income countries as well as in the US. Researchers have also found evidence that developing an NCD increases an individual’s risk of falling into poverty. Globally, NCDs contribute to more than two-thirds of all deaths and the majority of all early deaths and disability—four-fifths of these deaths due to NCDs occur in low- and middle-income countries. Core members conduct research on NCDs in a range of settings including in the Navajo nation, Mexico (Poverty increases the risk of death and disability from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cancer, heart disease, stroke and diabetes in low- and middle-income countries as well as in the US. Researchers have also found evidence that developing an NCD increases an individual’s risk of falling into poverty. Globally, NCDs contribute to more than two-thirds of all deaths and the majority of all early deaths and disability—four-fifths of these deaths due to NCDs occur in low- and middle-income countries. Core members conduct research on NCDs in a range of settings including in the Navajo nation, Mexico, Madagascar, Rwanda, and others.
One chronic disease, chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than 10% of the population globally, and individuals in lower-middle income countries (LMICs) suffer a disproportionate burden of CKD-related morbidity and mortality. CKD ranks as the 12th leading cause of death globally, but was the second leading cause of death in Central Latin America, including Guatemala. Here, we’ve studied CKD risk factors, CKD care, and feasible methods for population representative surveys.
Research Projects
Building capacity for chronic kidney disease research in Guatemala
Description: With funding from the Fogarty Institute of NIH, we built capacity in several collaborating Guatemalan institutions to conduct formative research on CKD. Together, we conducted the first population-representative assessment of CKD and its risk factors (including diabetes and hypertension) in 2 communities with different environmental and demographic factors in Guatemala.
Core Member(s): Ann Miller (PI: Rohloff, P.)
Funder: NIH/FIC
Funding Number: R21 TW010831
Community health worker-led intervention for diabetes and hypertension in rural Mexico
Description: This project documents the efficacy of a community based accompaniment intervention using a novel step wedged study design.
Core Member(s): Molly Franke
Funder: N/A
Funding Number: N/A
Navajo fruit and vegetable prescription program (FVRx program)
Description: Assessing the 5-year experience of the Navajo FVRx Program for peri-partum women, describing participant characteristics, program participation, and impact.
Core Member(s): Letizia Trevisi
Funder: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Funding Number: AVA0417
The healthy navajo store initiative: increasing health food access through partnerships with retailers
Description: Assessing the impact of the Healthy Navajo Store Initiative in terms of changes in variety, availability, and promotion of healthier foods in convenience stores and trading posts across Navajo Nation over time compared to stores not participating in the initiative.
Core Member(s): Letizia Trevisi
Funder: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Funding Number: AVA0417