Building Population Health Research Capacity in the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands (U24)

Program Description

NIMHD is supporting organizations to increase capacity to conduct ongoing population health research in the U.S. - Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI), including American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, as well as three sovereign states that have a Compact of Free Association with the U.S, the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau.

Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander populations have higher prevalence of and/or poorer outcomes for multiple health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic lower respiratory disease, cancer, infant mortality, depression, and HIV/AIDS. However, in many available studies or datasets, data for USAPI populations are combined with data for Native Hawaiians or Asian Americans. Little is known about the specific health status of USAPI populations, and most of this information is collected from USAPI populations living in Hawaii, California, or other states.

NIMHD is interested in studies that will provide novel data for USAPI populations and help guide future research to address these health disparities. The projects must include collaborations among diverse partners, such as academic institutions, healthcare providers, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and federal or local government agencies. Other capacity-building activities may involve developing culturally-appropriate measures and tools for collecting data; establishing ethics committees; mentoring and providing technical assistance, among other activities. NIMHD is also interested in projects that encompass multiple sites across the USAPI, involve data collection from multiple age groups, and compare health between American Pacific Islanders living in the USAPI versus the U.S. states.

Eligible organizations include academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and American Indian tribal governments. In addition, small businesses and other for-profit organizations are allowed to apply as well as independent school districts, public housing authorizes, and faith-based or community-based organizations.

Foreign organizations are not eligible.

NIH Guide No.: RFA-MD-15-011