Josiemer Mattei, Donald and Sue Pritzker Associate Professor of Nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, leads two major research studies in Puerto Rico that have had their National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding terminated. PROSPECT (Puerto Rico Observational Study of Psychosocial, Environmental, and Chronic disease Trends) is the most comprehensive study ever conducted on health determinants in Puerto Rico, funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. PRECISION (Puerto Rico Evaluation of a Culturally Informed Sustainable Intervention for Optimal Nutrition), launched last year, is a clinical trial aimed at reducing diabetes risk, funded by the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities.
Study Scope and Initial Achievements
PROSPECT was launched in 2018 and provided the first clear picture of chronic disease trends and behavioral and psychosocial risk factors in Puerto Rico. The study observed that following Hurricane Maria, chronic conditions and social needs were higher, but people reported stronger social support and social connections. The initial funding cycle generated key results including seven ancillary studies. The NHLBI subsequently funded continuation with a focus on food insecurity. Half of Puerto Rico’s population receives federal food assistance, making policy recommendations crucial.
Impact of Funding Loss
The termination of grants came as part of mass grant terminations affecting Harvard University. PROSPECT had to stop follow-up with participants before gathering enough data to develop policy recommendations. PRECISION was in its second year when recruitment was paused and food deliveries were phased out. For some PROSPECT participants, evaluations through the study were their only access to clinical or laboratory check-ups. PRECISION participants expected to receive healthy food boxes for two years. Mattei reported having to terminate or reduce the effort of approximately 30 team members in Boston and Puerto Rico, including trainees and students. The loss affects not only the primary research but also colleagues with ancillary grants at other institutions dependent on the research infrastructure and data collection.
Continued Efforts
Mattei is attempting to keep the projects functioning for a year using foundation grants and bridge funding, while seeking private donations and exploring partnerships with health insurance systems in Puerto Rico to continue food deliveries. However, she noted that “nothing can truly replace NIH grants” and the level of infrastructure, science, public health, and community outreach was only possible through sustained federal funding.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/loss-of-nih-funding-jeopardizes-landmark-puerto-rico-nutrition-health-studies/