Research Projects Directory

AOU Hispanic/Latino Blood Pressure GWAS (v8)

To conduct a GWAS of five BP traits (SBP, DBP, MAP, PP, and hypertension) in self-identified H/L populations in AOU. This question is important because of the serious under-representation of H/L individuals in GWAS. The lack of diversity in GWAS…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

To conduct a GWAS of five BP traits (SBP, DBP, MAP, PP, and hypertension) in self-identified H/L populations in AOU. This question is important because of the serious under-representation of H/L individuals in GWAS. The lack of diversity in GWAS exacerbates the existing health disparities and also impoverishes biologic discovery that could be applicable to all populations.

Project Purpose(s)

Disease Focused Research (Blood pressure)
Population Health
Ancestry

Scientific Approaches

Dataset: Self-identified H/L individuals in AOU
Methods: GWAS (BP trait = age + sex + BMI + genetic PCs)

Anticipated Findings

We hypothesize that we will discover loci that are generalizable across populations, and also novel loci and/or population-specific variants in known loci that influence blood pressure.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Alice Zhang - Graduate Trainee, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Collaborators:

Yujie Wang - Other, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Obesity Indicators among Hispanics/Latinos

There is a need to identify alternative measures of body size and composition among Hispanics/Latinos due to the limitations of BMI. BMI limitations include its inability to differentiate between fat distribution and muscle mass, potential inaccuracies among racial and ethnic…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

There is a need to identify alternative measures of body size and composition among Hispanics/Latinos due to the limitations of BMI. BMI limitations include its inability to differentiate between fat distribution and muscle mass, potential inaccuracies among racial and ethnic minorities, and BMI cutoffs not considering other relevant factors that can influence health at the individual level. Our research question focuses on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Latinos. We also aim to evaluate the predictive performance of Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference (WC), Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR), and Body Roundness Index (BRI) in assessing the risk of prediabetes and diabetes, which are common chronic conditions within this population.

Project Purpose(s)

Disease Focused Research (obesity)

Scientific Approaches

We will be using the All of Us Research workspace to create obesity indicators of BMI, WC, WHR, and BRI, and extract diabetes and pre-diabetes diagnoses based on self-report and HbA1c results from the Electronic Health Records (HER). We will use the following datasets for our project: The Basics, Lifestyle, Social Determinants of Health, Physical Measurements, Overall Health, Electronic Health Records (Conditions and Labs & Measurements), Personal and Family Health History, COVID-19 Participant Experience (COPE), and Health Care Access & Utilization. The analyses will include descriptive statistics and logistic regression models with key covariates. Each model's predictive accuracy will be evaluated using the AUC (Area Under the ROC Curve) to assess its ability to distinguish between diabetes and non-diabetes cases.

Anticipated Findings

Findings from this study may show which obesity indicator can better predict chronic conditions among Latinos. These findings will provide information to clinicians and public health professionals on which method is best to use in fieldwork and clinical settings.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Rishad Ahmed - Research Assistant, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Natalia Trinidad - Project Personnel, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Maria Jose Sanchez - Project Personnel, University of Nebraska Medical Center

GWAS American Latino

We aim to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for the American Latino population, as there is limited research on the genetic risk factors for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in this group. POAG is a leading cause of irreversible blindness,…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

We aim to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for the American Latino population, as there is limited research on the genetic risk factors for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in this group. POAG is a leading cause of irreversible blindness, and its prevalence and risk factors may differ across populations. Identifying genetic associations in this understudied group could improve risk assessment and early detection. Next, we plan to develop a polygenic risk score (PRS) and integrate it with socioeconomic data to create a predictive model for POAG risk. This approach will help us understand how genetic and social determinants interact to influence disease risk, ultimately guiding more personalized screening and intervention strategies for this population.

Project Purpose(s)

Population Health
Social / Behavioral
Ancestry

Scientific Approaches

We will conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using genetic data from American Latino individuals to identify loci associated with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). We will analyze existing genomic datasets, such as those from All of US data set, alongside clinical ophthalmologic data. Standard GWAS methods, including quality control and association testing, will be applied using tools like Hail. We will then develop a polygenic risk score (PRS) and integrate it with socioeconomic data from AoU to assess how genetic and social factors contribute to POAG risk. Machine learning models will be employed to refine risk prediction. Statistical analyses will be performed using R and Python, with adjustments for population stratification and environmental factors. Our approach aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of POAG risk in this population, supporting more targeted prevention and treatment strategies.

Anticipated Findings

We anticipate identifying novel genetic variants associated with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in the American Latino population, filling a critical gap in glaucoma research for this underrepresented group. By developing a polygenic risk score (PRS) tailored to this population and integrating it with socioeconomic factors, we expect to create a more precise risk prediction model. This model could reveal how genetic predisposition interacts with social determinants of health to influence POAG risk.

Our findings would contribute to the field by improving genetic risk stratification for POAG, advancing personalized medicine approaches, and highlighting the importance of considering both genetic and socioeconomic factors in disease prediction. This research could inform targeted screening and early intervention strategies, ultimately reducing the burden of vision loss in Latino communities and guiding future studies on health disparities in ophthalmology.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Kiana Tavakoli - Research Fellow, University of California, San Diego

Asthma genetics in Hispanic and Latino individuals-V8

We will apply population genetics methods such as admixture and IBD mapping to identify genomic regions, and ultimately, genetic variants, that are associated with asthma in Hispanic and Latino individuals in the U.S. Hispanic and Latino individuals are admixed, and…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

We will apply population genetics methods such as admixture and IBD mapping to identify genomic regions, and ultimately, genetic variants, that are associated with asthma in Hispanic and Latino individuals in the U.S. Hispanic and Latino individuals are admixed, and this increases statistical power for some types of genetic association analyses such as admixture mapping. We will further study approaches to test association replication (specifically when relying on the above population-genetics based analytic approaches) between two separate studies of Hispanic and Latino individuals (one of these studies is All of Us).

Project Purpose(s)

Disease Focused Research (asthma)
Methods Development
Ancestry

Scientific Approaches

We will perform admixture mapping, relying on genetic ancestry within genomic regions, and identity-by-descent (IBD) mapping on recent relatedness that is not defined by ancestry. These methods will propose association regions that we will then fine map to identify specific variants associated with asthma.

Anticipated Findings

We anticipate to identify genetic variants, possible rare in individuals who are not Hispanic or Latino/a/e, that are associated with asthma.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Tamar Sofer - Mid-career Tenured Researcher, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Collaborators:

Xueying Chen - Graduate Trainee, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Sri Raj - Early Career Tenure-track Researcher, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Mariko Segawa - Research Fellow, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Brian Spitzer - Project Personnel, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Decomposing Hispanic/Latino Ethnicity V8

We are examining how various social determinants of health relevant to the latine experience and Hispanic sub-identities cluster together. We will then look at differences in health care access and health outcomes in the All of US dataset between these…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

We are examining how various social determinants of health relevant to the latine experience and Hispanic sub-identities cluster together. We will then look at differences in health care access and health outcomes in the All of US dataset between these created sub-groups of participants who identify as Hispanic/Latino.

Project Purpose(s)

Population Health
Social / Behavioral
Educational

Scientific Approaches

This study will be a cross sectional analysis of a cohort of Latino/Hispanic identifying individuals in the All of US study. We will use several of the surveys to create sub-groups within the Latino/Hispanic identity using latent class models. We will then look at differences in health care access and health outcomes between these different groups to better understand which Hispanic sub-groups have the greatest health burdens and difficulty in accessing healthcare using T tests or regression based models.

Anticipated Findings

We anticipate meaningful differences within the Hispanic identity based on country of origin and social determinants of health. We also anticipate that these sub-groups will have significantly different levels of healthcare access and health outcomes. This knowledge will help researchers in the All of US eco-system to more meaningfully measure what is causing certain disparities in healthcare access and health outcomes beyond using the simple race constructs as binary indicators. We will also encourage other health disparities researchers to follow suit and collect data on the SDoH that are more meaningful and modifiable to improve public health.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Barrett Montgomery - Early Career Tenure-track Researcher, All of Us Researcher Academy/RTI International

Collaborators:

Hunter McGuire - Research Associate, All of Us Researcher Academy/RTI International
Kristin Glaze - Project Personnel, All of Us Researcher Academy/RTI International
Daniel Brannock - Senior Researcher, All of Us Researcher Academy/RTI International
Trey-Rashad Hawkins - Project Personnel, All of Us Researcher Academy/RTI International
Vincenzo Malo - Project Personnel, All of Us Researcher Academy/RTI International

Burden of chronic diseases and health system access on Latino smokers

Latinos in the US encounter barriers to healthcare, such as language, stigma, and financial limitations, leading to disparities in access and outcomes. This contributes to higher smoking rates and disparities in tobacco treatment efficacy. Therefore the intersection between smoking and…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

Latinos in the US encounter barriers to healthcare, such as language, stigma, and financial limitations, leading to disparities in access and outcomes. This contributes to higher smoking rates and disparities in tobacco treatment efficacy. Therefore the intersection between smoking and chronic disease underscores the pressing need to confront healthcare disparities among Latino smokers. While the AoU Program offers insights into comorbidity burden and health outcomes, there is a gap in research design and probabilistic support for robust statistical modeling and broader generalizability.
Aim1: Assess the prevalence of metabolic and smoking-related comorbidities among Latino smokers
Aim2: Explore the correlation between health assessment records in EMR and self-reported healthcare utilization patterns to comprehend healthcare access and outcomes comprehensively.
Aim3: Generalize estimates to individual states and the US using data from the ACS to create poststratification cells

Project Purpose(s)

Population Health
Methods Development

Scientific Approaches

While the AoU Program offers insights into comorbidity burden and health outcomes, there is a gap in research design and probabilistic support for robust statistical modeling and broader generalizability. Multilevel Regression and Poststratification (MrP) corrects estimates from non-representative samples, like AoU, by leveraging larger datasets like the American Community Survey (ACS) to enhance accuracy.
This study adopts an innovative approach by utilizing MrP to correct estimates derived from AoU. The ACS provides the poststratification cells with the number of subjects over combinations of demographic and regional variables, each representing a unique combination of their categories.
By employing Bayesian multilevel regression, we can train a models using survey and EHR data and reweight model-based estimates using the poststratification cells from ACS to get state-level estimates using the zipcodes available in AoU controlled tier.

Anticipated Findings

Leveraging techniques like MrP in the AoU data can help understand the complex relationship between healthcare disparities, smoking, comorbidity burden, and national prevalence’s by enhancing the accuracy of national estimates. These information are essential for all stakeholders aiming to develop targeted interventions nationwide.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Sengathir Rajagopal - Undergraduate Student, University of Rochester

Duplicate of Latino/Latina Health Investigation

Data exploration

Scientific Questions Being Studied

Data exploration

Project Purpose(s)

Other Purpose (Data exploration)

Scientific Approaches

Data exploration

Anticipated Findings

Data exploration

Demographic Categories of Interest

This study will not center on underrepresented populations.

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Noah Perry - Project Personnel, University of Kentucky

AOU Hispanic/Latino Blood Pressure GWAS (v7)

To conduct a GWAS of five BP traits (SBP, DBP, MAP, PP, and hypertension) in self-identified H/L populations in AOU. This question is important because of the serious under-representation of H/L individuals in GWAS. The lack of diversity in GWAS…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

To conduct a GWAS of five BP traits (SBP, DBP, MAP, PP, and hypertension) in self-identified H/L populations in AOU. This question is important because of the serious under-representation of H/L individuals in GWAS. The lack of diversity in GWAS exacerbates the existing health disparities and also impoverishes biologic discovery that could be applicable to all populations.

Project Purpose(s)

Disease Focused Research (Blood pressure)
Population Health
Ancestry

Scientific Approaches

Dataset: Self-identified H/L individuals in AOU
Methods: GWAS (BP trait = age + sex + BMI + genetic PCs)

Anticipated Findings

We hypothesize that we will discover loci that are generalizable across populations, and also novel loci and/or population-specific variants in known loci that influence blood pressure.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Alice Zhang - Graduate Trainee, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Collaborators:

Yujie Wang - Other, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Latino/Latina Health Investigation

Data exploration

Scientific Questions Being Studied

Data exploration

Project Purpose(s)

Other Purpose (Data exploration)

Scientific Approaches

Data exploration

Anticipated Findings

Data exploration

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Noah Perry - Project Personnel, University of Kentucky

Duplicate of Genetics and cardiometabolic traits in Hispanics/Latinos

Can we identify population-driven genetic variants associated with cardiometabolic traits?

Scientific Questions Being Studied

Can we identify population-driven genetic variants associated with cardiometabolic traits?

Project Purpose(s)

Disease Focused Research (Hypertension, Type 2 DM, heart failure, coronary heart disease, CKD)
Ancestry

Scientific Approaches

Test the association of population-driven variants with cardiometabolic traits and the causal relationship with these outcomes.

Anticipated Findings

We expect that the findings will provide new insights on genetic risk in non-European populations for these traits. The study will also offer opportunities for training of graduate students in disease phenotyping and genetic analyses.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Nora Franceschini - Mid-career Tenured Researcher, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Thanaphop Na Nakhonphanom - Research Assistant, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Emily Pfaff - Early Career Tenure-track Researcher, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Collaborators:

Jeremy Pasteris - Project Personnel, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Andrea Horimoto - Early Career Tenure-track Researcher, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Genetics and cardiometabolic traits in Hispanics/Latinos

Can we identify population-driven genetic variants associated with cardiometabolic traits?

Scientific Questions Being Studied

Can we identify population-driven genetic variants associated with cardiometabolic traits?

Project Purpose(s)

Disease Focused Research (Hypertension, Type 2 DM, heart failure, coronary heart disease, CKD)
Ancestry

Scientific Approaches

Test the association of population-driven variants with cardiometabolic traits and the causal relationship with these outcomes.

Anticipated Findings

We expect that the findings will provide new insights on genetic risk in non-European populations for these traits. The study will also offer opportunities for training of graduate students in disease phenotyping and genetic analyses.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Thanaphop Na Nakhonphanom - Research Assistant, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Nora Franceschini - Mid-career Tenured Researcher, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Emily Pfaff - Early Career Tenure-track Researcher, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Collaborators:

Jeremy Pasteris - Project Personnel, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Andrea Horimoto - Early Career Tenure-track Researcher, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Decomposing Hispanic/Latino Ethnicity

We are examining the relative contributions of various social determinants of health relevant to the latine experience to disparities in health care access and health outcomes in the All of US dataset among participants who identify as Hispanic/Latino

Scientific Questions Being Studied

We are examining the relative contributions of various social determinants of health relevant to the latine experience to disparities in health care access and health outcomes in the All of US dataset among participants who identify as Hispanic/Latino

Project Purpose(s)

Population Health
Social / Behavioral
Educational

Scientific Approaches

This study will be a cross sectional analysis of a cohort of Latino/Hispanic identifying individuals in the All of US study. We will use several of the surveys and EHR to understand the associations between Latino/Hispanic identity, and social determinants related to that identity, such as English proficiency, on healthcare access and health outcomes.

Anticipated Findings

We anticipate that specific social determinants more plausibly causally related to the outcome will be better predictors of healthcare access and health outcomes. This knowledge will help researchers in the All of US eco-system to more meaningfully measure what is causing certain disparities in healthcare access and health outcomes beyond using the simple race constructs as binary indicators. We will also encourage other health disparities researchers to follow suit and collect data on the SDoH that are more meaningful and modifiable to improve public health.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Barrett Montgomery - Early Career Tenure-track Researcher, All of Us Researcher Academy/RTI International

Collaborators:

Kristin Glaze - Project Personnel, All of Us Researcher Academy/RTI International
Vincenzo Malo - Project Personnel, All of Us Researcher Academy/RTI International
Trey-Rashad Hawkins - Project Personnel, All of Us Researcher Academy/RTI International

Latino men Mental Health

The specific scientific questions I intend to address are the following: 1. What are the primary barriers to mental health care seeking behaviors in the Latino community, and how do these barriers vary by demographic factors such as age, sexual…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

The specific scientific questions I intend to address are the following:
1. What are the primary barriers to mental health care seeking behaviors in the Latino community, and how do these barriers vary by demographic factors such as age, sexual identity, immigration status, and socioeconomic status?
2 How do cultural factors, such as acculturation and cultural identity, interact with social determinants to impact mental health outcomes and suicidality among Latinos? and 3. What protective social determinants mitigate the risk of mental health issues and suicidality among Latinos?

Project Purpose(s)

Population Health
Social / Behavioral
Other Purpose (The purpose of this research study is to investigate the social determinants of health (SDOH) that are associated with mental health outcomes and suicidality among the Latino population in the United States. Specifically, the study aims to identify both risk factors (e.g., economic hardship, discrimination, substance misuse, and acculturation stress) and protective factors (e.g., social support, cultural identity, community resources) that influence mental health and suicidality rates. )

Scientific Approaches

In order to answer the scientific questions, the following statistical approaches may be used:
To answer the research questions, the following statistical approaches will be used:

a) Descriptive Statistics: To summarize the characteristics of the Latino population in the dataset, including demographics, mental health outcomes, suicidality rates, and social determinants..
b) Multivariate Regression Models: To assess the impact of multiple social determinants on mental health outcomes and suicidality while controlling for confounding variables.
c) Structural Equation Modeling (SEM): To explore complex relationships between social determinants, cultural factors, and mental health outcomes, including potential mediation and moderation effects. If feasible, based on availability of the variables, we may include
d) Survival Analysis: To examine the time to onset of mental health disorders or suicidality in relation to social determinants, accounting for right-censored data.

Anticipated Findings

The study is anticipated to find that certain social determinants, such as economic hardship, discrimination, and cultural beliefs such as mental health stigma, and acculturation stress, are significantly associated with poorer mental health outcomes and higher rates of suicidality among Latinos. Conversely, protective factors such as strong social support and a robust cultural identity are expected to be associated with better mental health outcomes. The study is also likely to identify significant barriers to mental health care, including language barriers, stigma, and lack of culturally competent services, which contribute to low rates of mental health service utilization among Latinos.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Patria Rojas - Mid-career Tenured Researcher, Florida International University

Burden of chronic diseases and health system access on Latino smokers

Latinos in the US encounter barriers to healthcare, such as language, stigma, and financial limitations, leading to disparities in access and outcomes. This contributes to higher smoking rates and disparities in tobacco treatment efficacy. Therefore the intersection between smoking and…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

Latinos in the US encounter barriers to healthcare, such as language, stigma, and financial limitations, leading to disparities in access and outcomes. This contributes to higher smoking rates and disparities in tobacco treatment efficacy. Therefore the intersection between smoking and chronic disease underscores the pressing need to confront healthcare disparities among Latino smokers. While the AoU Program offers insights into comorbidity burden and health outcomes, there is a gap in research design and probabilistic support for robust statistical modeling and broader generalizability.
Aim1: Assess the prevalence of metabolic and smoking-related comorbidities among Latino smokers
Aim2: Explore the correlation between health assessment records in EMR and self-reported healthcare utilization patterns to comprehend healthcare access and outcomes comprehensively.
Aim3: Generalize estimates to individual states and the US using data from the ACS to create poststratification cells

Project Purpose(s)

Population Health
Methods Development

Scientific Approaches

While the AoU Program offers insights into comorbidity burden and health outcomes, there is a gap in research design and probabilistic support for robust statistical modeling and broader generalizability. Multilevel Regression and Poststratification (MrP) corrects estimates from non-representative samples, like AoU, by leveraging larger datasets like the American Community Survey (ACS) to enhance accuracy.
This study adopts an innovative approach by utilizing MrP to correct estimates derived from AoU. The ACS provides the poststratification cells with the number of subjects over combinations of demographic and regional variables, each representing a unique combination of their categories.
By employing Bayesian multilevel regression, we can train a models using survey and EHR data and reweight model-based estimates using the poststratification cells from ACS to get state-level estimates using the zipcodes available in AoU controlled tier.

Anticipated Findings

Leveraging techniques like MrP in the AoU data can help understand the complex relationship between healthcare disparities, smoking, comorbidity burden, and national prevalence’s by enhancing the accuracy of national estimates. These information are essential for all stakeholders aiming to develop targeted interventions nationwide.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Anthony Loria - Research Fellow, University of Rochester
Fernando Colugnati - Research Fellow, University of Rochester

Collaborators:

Sengathir Rajagopal - Undergraduate Student, University of Rochester

Exploring the Prevalence and Variability of Cardiac Arrhythmias Among Latinos

The primary objectives of this research are to: 1. Determine the overall prevalence of different types of cardiac arrhythmias (such as atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, etc.) among Latino populations. 2. Analyze the variability in the presentation and severity of arrhythmias…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

The primary objectives of this research are to:
1. Determine the overall prevalence of different types of cardiac arrhythmias (such as atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, etc.) among Latino populations.
2. Analyze the variability in the presentation and severity of arrhythmias within this group, considering factors such as age, gender, socio-economic status, and underlying comorbidities.
3. Investigate the impact of lifestyle, genetic predispositions, and environmental factors on the incidence and progression of cardiac arrhythmias among Latinos.
This research is vital as it addresses the gap in knowledge regarding how cardiac arrhythmias affect Latinos specifically, which is crucial for devising more precise public health interventions and enhancing patient-specific treatment plans.

Project Purpose(s)

Disease Focused Research (heart disease)
Population Health
Ancestry

Scientific Approaches

Methodologically, the study will employ statistical analysis methods in R, or Python, to estimate prevalence rates and examine correlations between arrhythmia types and demographic or lifestyle factors. Advanced statistical techniques, such as multivariate regression models and survival analysis, will be used to adjust for potential confounders. Genetic analysis might also be incorporated to explore associations between genetic markers and arrhythmia risk among Latinos.

Anticipated Findings

Anticipated outcomes include:
- A detailed epidemiological profile of cardiac arrhythmias among Latinos, highlighting specific patterns that differ from those seen in other ethnic groups.
- Insight into the role of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors in the development of arrhythmias in this population.
- Recommendations for screening and intervention strategies that are tailored to the specific needs and risk profiles of Latinos.
These findings will significantly contribute to the fields of cardiology and ethnic health disparities, offering evidence-based guidance to improve cardiovascular outcomes among Latinos.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Eduardo Perez - Graduate Trainee, Universidad Central del Caribe

Substance use and Cardiovascular disease risk among Latino and Hispanic people

This study will focus on using the All of us Research program dataset among Latino and Hispanic people to answer the following questions: 1) What is the prevalence of substance use and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and risk factors (hypertension and…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

This study will focus on using the All of us Research program dataset among Latino and Hispanic people to answer the following questions:
1) What is the prevalence of substance use and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and risk factors (hypertension and diabetes) among Latino and Hispanic people from diverse backgrounds?
2) What is the relationship between substance use, CVD and CVD risk factors (e.g., hypertension and diabetes) in the All of Us data?
3) What is the prevalence and relationship at multiple categories of identity? (e.g., immigrant status, family or ancestry roots, sexual orientation, and gender intersect)

This information is important to inform the development of culturally appropriate interventions that can reduce substance use and ultimately decrease and eliminate health complications and rates of mortality. Furthermore, the information obtained can be used to improve current measures among Latino and Hispanic people.

Project Purpose(s)

Disease Focused Research (Cardiovascular disease and risk, psychiatric disorders, and substance use)
Population Health
Social / Behavioral

Scientific Approaches

This study aims to use the All of Us Research program dataset among all participants that identify as Latino or Hispanic. Responses from the following questionnaires will be used demographics, lifestyle, overall health, healthcare access and utilization, social determinants of health questions.
The All of Us Researcher Workbench Jupyter notebook will be used to perform analyses with R. Analyses will be performed to describe, examine differences, and identify relationships between sociodemographic variables, substance use and CVD and related outcomes among Latino and Hispanic people from diverse backgrounds.

Anticipated Findings

Most research treats Latino and Hispanic people as one group, and does not examine results at different categories of identities. This limits our understanding on differences and potential areas of interventions. By exploring this relationship within the Latino and Hispanic population in the All of Us Research program across sociodemographic factors, this study will fill a gap in the literature and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between substance use, and cardiovascular disease. risk factors.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Juan Pena - Graduate Trainee, University of California, San Francisco

Pain in Older Latinos

Exploring data for feasibility to examine predictors of pain in older Latinos.

Scientific Questions Being Studied

Exploring data for feasibility to examine predictors of pain in older Latinos.

Project Purpose(s)

Disease Focused Research (Examine Acute and Chronic Pain in Older Latinos)
Population Health
Social / Behavioral

Scientific Approaches

Descriptive, and regression models across diverse groups of older Latinos.

Anticipated Findings

Latinos are not monolithic group. Understanding nuances across subgroups of Latinos is necessary to enhance treatrment options.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

David Camacho - Early Career Tenure-track Researcher, University of Illinois at Chicago

Evaluating Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos with All of Us

We are interested in investigating the similarities and differences in risk factors/disease prevalence among US Latinos across three datasets, Hispanic Community Health Study / Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), NHANES, and All of Us. This will allow us to quantify how…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

We are interested in investigating the similarities and differences in risk factors/disease prevalence among US Latinos across three datasets, Hispanic Community Health Study / Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), NHANES, and All of Us. This will allow us to quantify how well do HCHS/SOL data on disease prevalences match NHANES and AoU Hispanic population samples at different time points.
Further, we would like to examine whether HCHS/SOL, NHANES, and AoU show congruent evidence for secular trends in health factors. This is an important topic to explore since the three studies utilized different sampling and recruitment methods, and we want to know the degree to which these studies permit conclusions about disease prevalence in the US Hispanic population.

Project Purpose(s)

Population Health
Control Set

Scientific Approaches

We will examine the three datasets individually and focus on All Hispanic and Mexican/Mexican Americans in the NHANES and AoU datasets. Descriptive comparisons between HCHS/SOL, NHANES, and AoU will include socioeconomic and health-related variables' prevalence and distribution (mean, median, SD), appropriately adjusted for age and sex.

Anticipated Findings

We want to show different disease prevalences across the three datasets and observe if HCHS/SOL data on disease prevalences match NHANES and AoUHispanic population samples. This comparison is meaningful in supporting the interpretation of HCHS/SOL as a representative sample over its follow-up phase. Results will assist the interpretation of SOL data regarding representativeness in nuanced ways. Further, we might be able to learn more about the representativeness in results from studies with different study designs.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Wenyan Ma - Project Personnel, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Latino Health Outcomes

What is the correlation between discrimination and depressive symptoms in Latinos(as) in the AOU study using the PHQ-9

Scientific Questions Being Studied

What is the correlation between discrimination and depressive symptoms in Latinos(as) in the AOU study using the PHQ-9

Project Purpose(s)

Population Health

Scientific Approaches

I plan to use the data from Latino(a)s in the AOU data set to find correlations in lifestyle, income, access, and experiences with discrimination and how they relate to depressive symptoms.

Anticipated Findings

I anticipate to find a positive correlations with discrimination and depressive symptoms. This will contribute to a better understanding of the unique needs and challenges of the Latino(a) population in the U.S.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Gabriela Da Silva - Undergraduate Student, University of Kentucky

Collaborators:

Danielle Yearby Walker - Project Personnel, University of Kentucky

Latino Hearthealth in the U.S.

Researching the impact of CVD on Latinos in the US

Scientific Questions Being Studied

Researching the impact of CVD on Latinos in the US

Project Purpose(s)

Population Health

Scientific Approaches

Using public health data to review affects of environment on Latinos in the US

Anticipated Findings

to be determined

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Danielle Yearby Walker - Project Personnel, University of Kentucky

Multimorbidity in Latinos

We are interested in understanding the relationship between loneliness and the development of disabling complications from multimorbidity in Latinos. At this stage, however, our goal is to explore the availability of data to understand the types of question we are…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

We are interested in understanding the relationship between loneliness and the development of disabling complications from multimorbidity in Latinos. At this stage, however, our goal is to explore the availability of data to understand the types of question we are able to answer.

Project Purpose(s)

Population Health
Social / Behavioral

Scientific Approaches

We will only use data from All of Us, specifically survey responses and electronic health records. At this stage, we will use descriptive statistics.

Anticipated Findings

Understanding the relationship between loneliness and the development of complications from multimorbidity will elucidate opportunities to inform interventions to improve health outcomes for Latinos.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Mayra Sanchez Gonzalez - Early Career Tenure-track Researcher, Johns Hopkins University

Dental health condition among Latino population and access to Dentist

1. What is the rate of dentist/ortho dentists visit by Latino population. (Past visit%) 2. What is the prevalence of dental conditions among Latinos. 3. What is Identifying the most vulnerable groups in terms of existing dental conditions and affordability.…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

1. What is the rate of dentist/ortho dentists visit by Latino population. (Past visit%)
2. What is the prevalence of dental conditions among Latinos.
3. What is Identifying the most vulnerable groups in terms of existing dental conditions and affordability.

Research has indicated that there are significant disparities in oral health among racial and ethnic groups, including Latinos. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that Hispanic adults have 2.7 times the rate of untreated dental caries compared to white adults, and they also have higher rates of periodontal disease than non-Hispanic whites. Additionally, data from a survey conducted by the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute suggests that Hispanics are more likely than non-Hispanics to report difficulty accessing care due to affordability, with 47% of Hispanic respondents indicating that cost was a barrier to getting dental care.

Project Purpose(s)

Disease Focused Research (Various dental health conditions like Cavity, Caries, etc.)
Population Health
Other Purpose (For research publications and creating a poster for All of Us research scholar program 2023.)

Scientific Approaches

We plan to use the quantitative research method. First, we will be using All of Us's existing Basic Survey and Condition Survey to obtain demographic information and assess the prevalence of dental conditions among Latinos. We will then use the Health Care Access & Utilization survey to identify past visit rates as well as affordability issues for Latino participants. We will utilize these datasets in order to better understand the rate at which Latinos are accessing and utilizing dental care services, as well as what dental health conditions may be more prevalent among this population. Additionally, by using All of Us’s survey data we can also look into potential disparities related to affordability and access to care within the Latino community. In order to investigate these questions further, we plan to conduct an analysis of these datasets using R in the Jupityr notebook, descriptive statistics such as frequencies and counts will be used in order to gain insight.

Anticipated Findings

Based on the research questions posed above, it is expected that the findings of this study will reveal a significant disparity in oral health among Latinos compared to other racial and ethnic groups. This could include higher rates of untreated dental caries and periodontal disease, as well as other dental conditions. The findings are likely to also show a lower rate of dentist/orthodontist visits by the Latino population due to affordability issues.

The results of this study would contribute to the body of scientific knowledge in the field by providing insight into how unequal access to oral care across different racial and ethnic groups can impact their overall health. Additionally, these findings could lead to targeted interventions or policies that focus on reducing disparities in oral health among Latino populations.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Rishad Ahmed - Research Assistant, University of Nebraska Medical Center

Epigenetics of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Hispanic/Latino Population

In Hispanic/Latino adults who have a family history of rheumatoid arthritis, what is the relationship between a healthy lifestyle and the development of rheumatoid arthritis?

Scientific Questions Being Studied

In Hispanic/Latino adults who have a family history of rheumatoid arthritis, what is the relationship between a healthy lifestyle and the development of rheumatoid arthritis?

Project Purpose(s)

Educational

Scientific Approaches

Population is Hispanic/Latino Adults who have a family history of RA. I will use surveys on family medical history, personal medical history, lifestyle, and basics to identify different lifestyle factors to assess and demographics of the sample.

Anticipated Findings

Anticipate discovering health behaviors that promote or reduce the development of RA in those that are genetically predisposed. This can help with prevention counseling in those with a family history of autoimmune disorders RA. Will develop research with a minority population which is a general gap in research.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Nicole Hollander - Project Personnel, University of Nebraska Medical Center

Collaborators:

Kevin Kupzyk - Project Personnel, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Sheri Rowland - Senior Researcher, University of Nebraska Medical Center

Asthma heritability in Latino and African American

What is the heritability of asthma in Latino? Genetic factor plays an important role in asthma. Asthma heritability has not been studied extensively in Latinos and African Americans. We are going to use data in "All of Us" to investigate…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

What is the heritability of asthma in Latino? Genetic factor plays an important role in asthma. Asthma heritability has not been studied extensively in Latinos and African Americans. We are going to use data in "All of Us" to investigate asthma heritability in Latinos and African Americans.

Project Purpose(s)

Population Health
Educational
Ancestry

Scientific Approaches

We are going to use the software GCTA (Genome-wide Complex Trait Analysis) to estimate asthma heritability in Latinos and African Americans. We will calculate the genetic relationship matrix (GRM) from all the autosomal SNPs. We will then use restricted maximum likelihood (REML) and Haseman-Elston (HE) regression to estimate the variance explained by all SNPs.

Anticipated Findings

The heritability of asthma ranges between 35% and 95%. Our results in Latino and African American will show the importance of the genetic factor in asthma in these 2 populations.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Donglei Hu - Project Personnel, University of California, San Francisco

Pregnancy Outcomes and COVID-19 in Latinos

Research question #1: Do the Latino health patterns in All of Us data replicate well-established Latino paradox patterns in pregnancy outcomes? Has COVID-19 disrupted this pattern? Research question #2: Do the Latino health patterns in All of Us data replicate…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

Research question #1: Do the Latino health patterns in All of Us data replicate well-established Latino paradox patterns in pregnancy outcomes? Has COVID-19 disrupted this pattern?
Research question #2: Do the Latino health patterns in All of Us data replicate well-established Latino paradox patterns in aged-adjusted all-cause mortality? Has COVID-19 disrupted this pattern? If so, was the pattern specifically disrupted in certain geographic locations (i.e., Orange County, California)?

Project Purpose(s)

Social / Behavioral

Scientific Approaches

All variables necessary for carrying out this research project are available in the All of Us data. Descriptive analyses will first focus on breaking down and stratifying pregnancy outcomes, age-adjusted all-cause mortality, and COVID-19 illness and vaccination into cross-tabulations rates in the following ways:
• Hispanic/Latino versus non-Hispanic Latino White, non-Hispanic Latino Black, and non-Hispanic Latino Asian groups;
• Then, to explore Latino heterogeneity, by Mexican versus non-Mexican Hispanic/Latinos and, if available, by race;
• Then, to explore whether these patterns vary by US-born versus foreign-born status (using country of birth or preferred language as a proxy, depending on what’s available in the dataset)

Anticipated Findings

The findings generated by this project are expected to advance and deepen understanding of Latino health, have implications for possible interventions that may benefit this marginalized group, lead to high impact publications that use the NIH All of Us dataset, and lead to new collaborations with other NIH All of Us researchers.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Vida Pourmand - Graduate Trainee, University of California, Irvine

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