# ECHODAC (Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes Data Analysis Center)

> **NIH NIH U24** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $16,643,579

## Abstract

Project Summary
The complementary expertise and resources of Johns Hopkins University and RTI International are combined
to become the Data Analysis Center (DAC) for the NIH Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes
(ECHO) program. A DAC with expertise in data harmonization, epidemiology and biostatistics is essential for
effective longitudinal and multi-level analyses to elucidate the influences of life course environmental and
social exposures, and genetic susceptibility on pediatric health and adverse outcomes. The efficiency offered by
capitalizing on extant pediatric studies is more readily accomplished with a DAC prepared to deal with the
associated challenges. Our DAC uniquely offers deep experience in developing innovative methods for
analyzing data combined from disparate cohorts. To help drive the next generation science in pediatric
research, expertise in epidemiology, statistics, informatics, pediatric outcomes, environmental exposures, and
genetics is synergized to realize these specific aims: (1) Provide statistical and epidemiological expertise in the
design, analysis, and interpretation of studies relevant to the scientific goals of ECHO. In particular, use
principles of reproducible science to address how environmental exposures, social context, and genetic
predispositions influence the risk of respiratory, metabolic, neurodevelopmental, and pre-, peri-, and postnatal
outcomes. The development and application of novel methodology to best analyze the complex ECHO data is
central to this goal; (2) Harmonize, manage, and quality assure the data across the ECHO cohorts, including
the provision of secured systems for data transfer, editing, merging, storing, and backup; (3) Develop
procedures for standardized execution of protocols across cohorts and studies in collaboration with the
coordinating center, steering committee, and cohorts; and (4) Promote the use of quality-assured ECHO data
in scientific studies of pediatric outcomes, by: engaging the scientific community, providing an interactive
system for visualization and data extraction, and tracking the progress of approved projects. The proposed data
harmonization, and methods for bridging the cohorts will be key in making ECHO the premier resource for
epidemiological studies of pediatric health.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10015366
- **Project number:** 5U24OD023382-05
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** LISA P JACOBSON
- **Activity code:** U24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $16,643,579
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-09-21 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10015366

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10015366, ECHODAC (Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes Data Analysis Center) (5U24OD023382-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10015366. Licensed CC0.

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