The University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to tackle health disparities in stroke and dementia rates across the United States. Funded by a $10.1 million multi-year grant from the National Institutes of Health, the REGARDS (Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke) project aims to uncover why certain U.S. regions experience higher rates of strokes and Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia, and why Black individuals are disproportionately affected by strokes compared to white individuals.
This significant research effort is part of the broader work conducted by the Vermont Center for Cardiovascular and Brain Health (VCCBH), which has been at the forefront of heart and brain health research since its establishment in 2020. The center, co-led by Dr. Mark Nelson and Dr. Mary Cushman, focuses on interdisciplinary approaches to understanding the complex relationship between cardiovascular health and neurological conditions.
Dr. Mary Cushman, University Distinguished Professor and co-director of the VCCBH, highlighted the center’s impressive track record: “In less than four years, our center has funded research that has produced 72 articles. We have an astonishing 56 percent success rate in our grant funding proposals, all written by early-stage investigators.”
The REGARDS project is expected to provide crucial insights into the social and biological factors contributing to these health disparities. Dr. Debora Kamin Mukaz, an assistant professor of medicine involved in the study, is investigating how structural racism, sexism, and classism intersect to influence cardiovascular health and inflammation, which are key factors in cardiovascular disease risk.
This initiative represents a significant step forward in addressing health inequities and improving outcomes for vulnerable populations. By focusing on the underlying causes of these disparities, the UVM researchers hope to develop targeted interventions and policies that can reduce the burden of stroke and dementia across all communities.
“Larner College of Medicine Dean’s Newsletter, Accolades and Accomplishments” (October 2, 2024)