P50HD111142

Public Health and Autism Science Advancing Equitable Strategies Across the Life Course (PHASES) - Autism is a common neurodevelopmental condition that affects functioning and well-being in a myriad of domains across the life course. The proposed Autism Center of Excellence, "Public Health and Autism Science Advancing Equitable Strategies Across the Life Course" (PHASES) application proposes to employ an overarching public health research framework to examine health determinants, health inequity – especially in under-represented diverse populations – and health services delivery and their impact on health outcomes.

Projects in our center highlight different stages of the life course – early childhood, adolescence to young adulthood, and older adults. Project 1 addresses predictors of age of diagnosis among young children with autism, with emphasis on inequities in access to universal, high-fidelity screening during primary care visits. Projects 2 and 3 examine Medicaid claims and other national data to address key issues arising from the disproportionate burden of co-occurring health conditions in autistic adolescents and young adults (Project 2) and middle age-to-older adults (Project 3). Project 4 develops a new tool to support transition from pediatric to adult healthcare in young adults on the spectrum, with emphasis on minimally verbal adults. Each of the four studies targets unique understudied groups characterized by potentially modifiable adverse outcomes: young children with delayed autism detection, autistic adolescents and young adults with co-occurring conditions, older autistic adults with co-occurring health and cognitive deterioration, and young autistic, minimally verbal adults at risk for poor health care transition.

The three center aims address the following research goals at three different key life stages: Aim 1 investigates modifiable health determinants for autistic individuals; Aim 2 evaluates inequities in health and health services, especially in under-represented minorities and economically disadvantaged persons on the autism spectrum; and Aim 3 examines the relations between health services delivery and health outcomes.

The center will be supported by three cores facilitating synergy across projects: the Administrative Core streamlines communication and collaboration across projects; the Dissemination and Outreach Core facilitates engagement with diverse stakeholders and expands our existing activities to emphasize bidirectional communication between our team and the community; and the Data Core ensures quality, integrity, and security of data from large and diverse sources (e.g. Medicaid, Medicare, electronic health records).

Overall, the center will address preventable adverse outcomes and promote well-being in individuals on the autism spectrum, with a focus on several priorities identified by the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, including research across the lifespan, reducing inequities, and improving health outcomes for autistic persons.

Drexel University

TO CONDUCT AND SUPPORT LABORATORY RESEARCH, CLINICAL TRIALS, AND STUDIES WITH PEOPLE THAT EXPLORE HEALTH PROCESSES. NICHD RESEARCHERS EXAMINE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, BIOLOGIC AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTIONS, BEHAVIOR PATTERNS, AND POPULATION DYNAMICS TO PROTECT AND MAINTAIN THE HEALTH OF ALL PEOPLE. TO EXAMINE THE IMPACT OF DISABILITIES, DISEASES, AND DEFECTS ON THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS. WITH THIS INFORMATION, THE NICHD HOPES TO RESTORE, INCREASE, AND MAXIMIZE THE CAPABILITIES OF PEOPLE AFFECTED BY DISEASE AND INJURY. TO SPONSOR TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR SCIENTISTS, DOCTORS, AND RESEARCHERS TO ENSURE THAT NICHD RESEARCH CAN CONTINUE. BY TRAINING THESE PROFESSIONALS IN THE LATEST RESEARCH METHODS AND TECHNOLOGIES, THE NICHD WILL BE ABLE TO CONDUCT ITS RESEARCH AND MAKE HEALTH RESEARCH PROGRESS UNTIL ALL CHILDREN, ADULTS, FAMILIES, AND POPULATIONS ENJOY GOOD HEALTH. THE MISSION OF THE NICHD IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY PERSON IS BORN HEALTHY AND WANTED, THAT WOMEN SUFFER NO HARMFUL EFFECTS FROM REPRODUCTIVE PROCESSES, AND THAT ALL CHILDREN HAVE THE CHANCE TO ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL FOR HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES, FREE FROM DISEASE OR DISABILITY, AND TO ENSURE THE HEALTH, PRODUCTIVITY, INDEPENDENCE, AND WELL-BEING OF ALL PEOPLE THROUGH OPTIMAL REHABILITATION.

93.865 - Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) [HHS - NIH]

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 191043734 United States

Single Zip Code

Autism Centers of Excellence: Centers (P50 Clinical Trial Optional) (RFA-HD-22-008)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 307% from $2,119,979 to $8,623,178.