Project Grant K01HL180816

Federal Project Grant Summary

The University of Arizona received a $140,400 Project Grant award from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) under the Cardiovascular Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.837), effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031. The grant funds "Corazón en Tus Manos," a culturally-tailored cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk-reduction intervention designed specifically for Mexican-origin adults with confirmed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The project adapts "Su Corazón, Su Vida," an evidence-based, community health worker-led curriculum that incorporates stress-management techniques alongside CVD risk awareness education, healthy food choices promotion, and physical activity guidance. The intervention addresses a documented health disparity, as MASLD prevalence among Mexican-origin adults in Southern Arizona reaches approximately 50%—exceeding the national prevalence of 43%—and individuals with MASLD face a 64% increased risk of CVD, which remains the leading cause of death in the United States among this population.

The project will examine the acceptability and feasibility of the adapted curriculum while supporting principal investigator Dr. Adriana Maldonado's career development as a CVD health disparities researcher. Deliverables include research findings on intervention outcomes and a comprehensive training plan designed to advance Dr. Maldonado's expertise in addressing health inequities affecting Hispanic populations. This funding supports the first phase of what is intended as a long-term research agenda to identify and address root causes of CVD disparities in underserved communities.