# Using pharmacoepidemiology to optimize antihypertensive medication use to prevent aging-related multimorbidity: Midcareer investigator award in patient-oriented research and mentoring.

> **NIH NIH K24** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2024 · $198,213

## Abstract

This K24 proposal will allow the principal investigator, Dr. Adam Bress, time and support to (1) continue his
track record of successful mentorship of early-stage investigators and (2) expand his mentored aging-related
and patient-oriented research (POR) program to new focus areas, including social determinants of health
(SDoH) as they relate to the use, underuse, and unsafe use of antihypertensive (anti-HTN) medications to
prevent aging-related multimorbidity including Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) and
cardiovascular disease (CVD). His short-term career goals are to (1) strengthen his mentoring skills in
culturally-sensitive mentoring across a diverse cadre of trainees, (2) learn new skills in the analysis of SDoH
and cognitive, brain structure, and frailty outcomes, and (3) expand infrastructure for anti-HTN
pharmacoepidemiology training at the University of Utah (UU). Mentoring Plan: A central component of his
mentoring program is an individualized approach to training, which includes a needs assessment, individual
development plan, peer-mentoring and writing accountability groups, ongoing intensive evaluation process,
and expansive mentorship network. Research Strategy and Synergy with Career Objectives and
Mentoring Plan: Safe and effective anti-HTN medications prevent morbidity and mortality but are often
underused or misused. Using new knowledge gained through the K24, Dr. Bress leverages his successful
POR program, current funding, and robust institutional resources to create unique training opportunities
through three well-defined, related, and mentee-led POR projects on aging. These studies leverage
existing R01-funded POR using the Systolic Blood Pressure (BP) Intervention Trial (SPRINT), Action to Control
Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) study, and REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in
Stroke (REGARDS) study. The research aims are to (1) determine the population health impact of intensive
blood pressure (BP) treatment according to SDoH and frailty status using REGARDS, (2) determine
associations among pharmacy deserts, anti-HTN medication use, and BP control in REGARDS, and (3)
determine the association of angiotensin II receptor blocker vs. angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor use on
cognitive function and white matter lesion volume in SPRINT and ACCORD. Through these studies, mentees
gain practical experience in (1) conducting and leading aging-related POR in an area that matches their career
goals, (2) manuscript writing and dissemination, and (3) obtaining preliminary data to support their own K/R01
applications. Summary: Dr. Bress's strong commitment to POR in aging-related HTN pharmacoepidemiology,
an individualized mentorship plan, direct involvement of the mentees, availability of expert co-mentors, and
outstanding institutional support are strengths that will ensure that his mentees have strong POR productivity
and gain the skills and experience necessary to become independent scientis...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10773104
- **Project number:** 5K24AG080168-02
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** Adam P Bress
- **Activity code:** K24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $198,213
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-02-01 → 2028-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10773104

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10773104, Using pharmacoepidemiology to optimize antihypertensive medication use to prevent aging-related multimorbidity: Midcareer investigator award in patient-oriented research and mentoring. (5K24AG080168-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10773104. Licensed CC0.

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