# Association of DNA Methylation and Stress in Immigrants

> **NIH NIH R21** · CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR · 2024 · $200,625

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Immigrants experience significant health disparities which are exacerbated by a heavy stress burden which in
turn affects the epigenetic profiles of the immune system leading to chronic diseases. Cumulative stress burden
for immigrant’s ranges from immigration-related stressors to unique psychosocial, environmental, and everyday
challenges, all of which contribute to negative psychological and biological impacts on their health over the life-
course. Although social and environmental conditions have been established as key factors driving disparities in
health outcomes, the effects of stress and epigenetic change among immigrants remains poorly understood,
impeding the development of novel and robust intervention approaches aimed at reducing health disparities.
Epigenetic changes can act as surrogate markers for stress effect. However, very few studies have examined
epigenetic marks associated with stress among African immigrants. Ethiopians form one of the largest groups of
African immigrants in the US, yet this is the first study of this kind among Ethiopian American immigrants (EAIs).
The objective of this proposal is to quantify cumulative stress burden and determine DNA methylation associated
with stress among EAIs. We hypothesize that the DNA methylation profile in EAIs is associated with cumulative
stress. To address cultural differences and experiences and for a wider translation to the community, our bilingual
and bicultural multidisciplinary research team will work with relevant scientific partners connected to and/or part
of EAI communities in Cincinnati and Columbus OH to achieve two Specific Aims: Aim 1) Measure cumulative
stress burden and identify and define stress burden profiles among EAIs. Aim 2) Determine the association
between cumulative stress and DNA methylation. Our proposed study, involving a comprehensive set of
cumulative stress measures and genome- wide DNA methylation among an immigrant population, is the first
study among Ethiopian American immigrants. The study will provide new insights to address health disparities
among growing immigrant populations in the US informing novel and robust intervention approaches to reduce
chronic illness and associated sequelae for vulnerable populations. Our long-term goal is to better understand
how changes in psychological, social, environmental, and acculturative stressors affect the risk for chronic
diseases through epigenomic mechanisms.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10993878
- **Project number:** 1R21MD019192-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Tesfaye B. Mersha
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $200,625
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-03 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10993878

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10993878, Association of DNA Methylation and Stress in Immigrants (1R21MD019192-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10993878. Licensed CC0.

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