The National Institute for Nursing Research (NINR) within NIH https://www.ninr.nih.gov was awarded the NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, https://nursing.nyu.edu a $1.9 million five year grant to establish the “NYU Meyers Center for Precision Health in Diverse Populations”.
“Research that will expand our understanding of biomarkers, lifestyle, contextual and environmental impacts on metabolic syndrome, and related multiple chronic conditions among diverse population is critically needed,” said Gail D’Eramo Melkus, Associate Dean for Research at NYU Meyers and the Co-Principal Investigator for the new Center.
The goal is to enable a team of nurse scientists to study metabolic syndrome and related chronic conditions, biological mechanisms, modifiable risk factors, and interventions to reduce or eliminate the burden of multiple chronic conditions in diverse vulnerable adult populations.
Metabolic syndrome is a set of interrelated health conditions present in roughly 35 percent of the U.S population that puts individuals at serious risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and obesity are common factors that comprise metabolic syndrome.
Both genetics and the environment play a role in metabolic syndrome and related chronic conditions. Causes of metabolic syndrome includes genetic susceptibility, biomarkers, family history, low education, socioeconomic status, increased body mass index, a lack of regular physical activity, poor diet, smoking, and substance use.
Precision health using a personalized tailored approach to health needs to consider all of the factors unique to an individual which is now emerging as the strategy to use to prevent and manage chronic diseases.
The new Center will include an administrative core, a pilot project administrative core, a precision technology resource core, plus an enrichment program. In addition two pilot projects will examine the symptoms and biomarkers of metabolic syndrome related to sleep duration and fatigue.