# Improving Rural Population Health through Air Quality and Cardiovascular Health Education

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA · 2020 · $257,865

## Abstract

Project Summary / Abstract
Children growing up in rural and medically underserved communities face unique challenges, and may
not always have easy access to educational opportunities that provide experiences with cultivating
biomedical knowledge and interest in scientific careers. To address this issue, we are proposing to
expand upon an inquiry-based science education program called the Clean Air and Healthy Homes
Program (CAHHP). Through four Aims, we will leverage our network of 50 teachers in 31 schools
located in rural and American Indian / Alaska Native communities throughout Montana, Idaho, and
Alaska. With an evaluation plan consisting of a mixed method design, we will test the overall hypothesis
that CAHHP, with a new focus on PM2.5, cardiovascular and population health, can be successfully
utilized in rural, underserved areas to increase middle/high students' interest in careers in basic and
clinical medical research. We will test this hypothesis with the following Aims: Aim 1) Citizen Science:
Develop authentic research experiences using novel PM2.5 and heart rate monitors with a new focus on
cardiovascular/population health; Aim 2) Science communication: Build student skills, confidence and
interest in science by providing opportunities for students to translate their research findings to different
audiences; Aim 3) Student mentoring: Provide engagement and mentoring activities that support
student research and expose students to careers in basic and clinical medical research; and Aim 4)
Teacher Professional Development: Provide multiple learning opportunities for teachers and pre-
service teachers in order to facilitate their understanding of biomedical concepts and their successful
implementation of the CAHHP model with students. With SEPA funding, we intend to provide
educational opportunities for over 5,000 students from 31 schools located within rural and underserved
areas of the northern Rocky Mountains and Alaska.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9995522
- **Project number:** 5R25GM129849-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA
- **Principal Investigator:** Tony John Ward
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $257,865
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-01 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9995522

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9995522, Improving Rural Population Health through Air Quality and Cardiovascular Health Education (5R25GM129849-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9995522. Licensed CC0.

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