Actively Recruiting
Pilot Study for Geospatial Analysis of Neighborhood Environmental Stress in Relation to Biological Markers of Cardiovascular Health and Health Behaviors in Women
Led by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) · Updated on 2026-06-05
250
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
2 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying how neighborhood factors like stress and access to exercise areas affect heart health in women living in Washington, DC. This observational study focuses on healthy White and Black females aged 19 to 45. The goal is to understand how living in different environments might relate to stress levels and biological markers linked to cardiovascular risk, using innovative data collection methods combining physical measures with neighborhood conditions. Participants will undergo a two-day visit at the NIH Clinical Center. During the first visit, they will have a physical exam, blood tests, heart activity monitoring (electrocardiogram), and a PET/CT scan to measure stress-related brain activity. Additional tests include blood vessel assessments, breathing measurements, and nutrition consultations. For about two weeks after, participants will wear a wrist device and carry a GPS to track physical activity and location while responding to daily surveys via a smartphone app. The second visit involves returning devices and another nutrition consultation. Throughout the study, participants will complete various surveys and tests to measure biological, behavioral, and environmental factors related to cardiovascular health. Researchers will track stress-related neural activity and analyze how neighborhood conditions and lifestyle behaviors like exercise and diet may influence cardiovascular risk markers. The study includes ongoing monitoring of daily stress and activity through wearable devices and smartphone assessments, and total participation lasts about two weeks following the initial clinical visit.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Geospatial Analysis of Neighborhood Environmental Stress in Relation to Biological Markers of Cardiovascular Health and Health Behaviors in Women
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Self-identified healthy White or Black female
- Between 19 to 45 years of age
- No chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular, autoimmune, or endocrine diseases
- Living in Washington, DC
- Access to a smartphone
- Able to provide informed consent
- English speaking
You will not qualify if you...
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Physically unable to perform physical activity
- Weight changes greater than 20% in the past 3 months
- Obese with BMI greater than or equal to 35.0 kg/m2
- High or low blood pressure requiring medications
- Diabetes
- History of severe mental illness requiring hospitalization
- Active thyroid disease requiring medications
- Taking medication for chronic non-mental health illnesses
- Food allergies or highly restrictive diets preventing a controlled metabolic diet
- Current smoker of tobacco products
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 1 month
Participants undergo diagnostic assessments including measurement of stress-related neural activity and cardiovascular risk markers using imaging and biological sampling.
Multiple visits during 1 month for imaging and biological sample collection
Duration - 1 month
Participants are monitored using geospatial tools, accelerometers, GPS, and smartphone surveys to assess neighborhood environment, physical activity, sedentary behavior, dietary intake, and psychosocial factors.
Continuous monitoring with wearable devices and smartphone surveys over 1 month
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Marie Marah, R.N.
T
Tiffany M Powell-Wiley, M.D.
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
1
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