# Inflammation and alcohol-related racial/ethnic health disparities

> **NIH NIH K01** · PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE · 2020 · $173,231

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
 Alcohol-related health problems include highly prevalent and serious disorders such as hypertension,
diabetes, and depression. Substantial evidence supports a J-shaped relationship between alcohol use and
diabetes1, whereas a linear relationship is well-documented between alcohol use and hypertension2, and there
is mixed evidence regarding the shape of the relationship between alcohol use and depression3,4. A common
biologic mechanism for alcohol's effects on these disorders may be inflammation. Inflammation is a general
response by the immune system to harm, such as bodily injury or exposure to irritants (e.g. alcohol)5.
Inflammation that becomes chronic, potentially lasting for years, is associated with an increased risk of health
problems6, including hypertension, diabetes, and depression7. Thus, intervening on inflammation offers new
opportunities for prevention and treatment. However, the mechanisms of inflammation in the context of alcohol
use and health require further study. Racial/ethnic health disparities are especially relevant in this context
because racial/ethnic minorities share a disproportionately large portion of the burden caused by these
disorders8. Moreover, recent studies show racial/ethnic minorities have consistently higher levels of
inflammation9, and these differences have been observed across the lifespan10,11.
 The overall objective of this K01 Career Development Award is to provide the principal investigator, Dr.
Martinez, with the skills necessary to conduct alcohol research that bridges social, behavioral, and
physiological domains. The research activities proposed under this award will lead to a better understanding of
alcohol use and inflammation as mechanisms contributing to alcohol-related racial/ethnic health disparities. In
turn, findings will inform the development and implementation of a subsequent R01-funded longitudinal
investigation of immunologic mechanisms and associated factors that may explain differential drinking patterns
and related physical and mental health outcomes among racial/ethnic minorities. Upon completion of study
activities, Dr. Martinez will be poised for a productive career as an independent, NIH-funded scientist.
 Dr. Martinez is trained as an alcohol researcher with a strong background in the biological sciences and
expertise in alcohol epidemiology, particularly the comorbidity between alcohol use and depression. Dr.
Martinez's long-term goal is to become a successful NIH-funded scientist with expertise in the relationships
between biologic mechanisms and alcohol-related racial/ethnic health disparities. She is proposing a
combination of didactic and applied research activities, under the mentorship of experts in the field led by her
primary mentor Dr. Sarah Zemore, to provide her with the following skills necessary to accomplish this goal: (1)
expertise in the role of inflammation in mental and physical health, (2) expertise in racial/ethnic disparities in
the effects of a...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9858160
- **Project number:** 5K01AA024832-04
- **Recipient organization:** PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** Priscilla Martinez
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $173,231
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-02-01 → 2022-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9858160

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9858160, Inflammation and alcohol-related racial/ethnic health disparities (5K01AA024832-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9858160. Licensed CC0.

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