Long-Term Effects of Disasters on Health Care Systems Serving populations experiencing health disparities (R01- Clinical Trial Optional)

Program Description

NIMHD and other participating NIH Institutes and Centers support investigative and collaborative research focused on understanding the long-term effects of natural and/or human-made disasters on health care systems serving NIH-designated populations experiencing health disparities in communities in the U.S., and U.S. territories.  

To date, there has been an abundance of data documenting the immediate impact of natural or human-made disasters in scientific literature, including very valuable lessons about health disparities and health policy. This FOA supports collaborative research methodologies based on retrospective quantitative research, mixed methods analyses, simulation and modeling analyses, and evaluations of existing interventions and practices that address the long-term effects of disasters on health care systems and populations experiencing health disparities. For this initiative, disasters are defined as presidentially declared emergencies; extreme weather-related disasters, human-made disasters, and their long-term consequences in the power and water infrastructure as well as supply chain and communications, transportation and housing; and public health emergencies including the COVID-19 pandemic.

Special emphasis will be placed on proposals that evaluate the delivery, coordination, safety and quality of health care services; physical and organizational infrastructure; health care workforce; and changes in health care needs over time. The influence of pre-disaster risk factors or vulnerabilities experienced by both health care systems and populations experiencing health disparities will also be considered. Equally important to this initiative is identifying health care system and community strategies or best practices that promote and maintain appropriate system function and delivery of services during and after a disaster, optimal continuity of care, and ongoing resilience. NIMHD is specifically interested in projects which involve the U.S. territories in the Caribbean, the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands, Hawaii, and underserved rural communities across the U.S., including American Indian/Alaska Native tribal Nations and communities. Also of interest are studies that compare self-contained regions and mainland urban locations, that assess the impact of federal territorial policies on health care systems.

NIH Guide No.:  PA-20-172

Page updated Jan. 12, 2024