$1.9M NIH grant to fund research in children's health at UMMC

The University of Mississippi Medical Center is the recipient of a National Institutes of Health grant for more than $1.9 million that will support research on how environmental factors from conception through early childhood influence the health of children and adolescents.

The funds, from the NIH Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program, will be distributed over four years to create a research infrastructure at UMMC, opening the door to increased pediatric clinical trials in Mississippi, particularly among traditionally underserved populations.

"This will help children's research in Mississippi step up to a new level," said Dr. Robert Annett, professor of pediatrics and director for research and education at UMMC's Center for the Advancement of Youth. "This will ultimately help pediatric clinical research have a positive impact on the health of children across the country."

The grant to UMMC is part of $157 million awarded this year for the seven-year ECHO program, which focuses on the effects of exposure to environmental factors including physical, chemical, biological, social, behavioral, natural and built environments on child health and development.

The studies will target four key pediatric outcomes with high public health impact: airway health, obesity, pre-, peri- and postnatal outcomes, and neurodevelopment.

Annett and Dr. Rick Barr, Suzan B. Thames Professor and chair of pediatrics at UMMC, are the principal investigators on the project, which brings together a team of pediatric clinical researchers to address those focus areas.

"Mississippi has many health care challenges, and they can all have a profound impact on our children," Barr said. "Through research, we seek to improve children's health from the womb to adulthood, meaning future generations will have the care they need to reach their greatest potential."

Co-investigators include Annett in neurodevelopment; Dr. Norma Ojeda, associate professor of pediatrics; Dr. Mark Majure, professor of pediatric pulmonology; and Dr. Whitney Herring, assistant professor of pediatrics specializing in childhood obesity.

Advisory committees for the effort include UMMC leaders such as Dr. Richard Summers, associate vice chancellor for research; Dr. Bettina Beech, dean of the John D. Bower School of Population Health; Dr. Michael Griswold, director of the Center of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics; Dr. Dan Jones, director of clinical and population sciences for the Mississippi Center for Obesity Research; Dr. Joshua Mann, chair of preventive medicine; Dr. Gailen Marshall, chair of allergy and immunology; Jane Reckelhoff, director of the Women's Health Research Center; and Dr. James Shwayder, chair of obstetrics and gynecology.

External advisors include Dr. Mary Currier, Mississippi state health officer; David Dzielak, executive director of the Mississippi Division of Medicaid; Theresa Hanna, CEO of the Center for Mississippi Health Policy; Dr. Juantina Johnson, chief medical officer of the Choctaw Health Center; Dr. Joe Olmi, chair of psychology at the University of Southern Mississippi; Linda Southward, research scientist at the Mississippi Health Policy Research Center; and Dr. David Kimberlin, chair of pediatric infectious diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

"We are bringing together the best minds and are embracing experts from around the state," Annett said, noting that UMMC will collaborate with other institutions to share data and findings.

ECHO will also create a pediatric clinical trials network, leveraging existing infrastructure to address gaps in access to health care for rural children. Children's of Mississippi pediatric clinics across the state will be part of that system, helping connect clinical trials with children and families. Children's of Mississippi is the umbrella organization that includes Batson Children's Hospital and all UMMC pediatric care.

The program seeks to promote best practices for children's health.

"Every baby should have the best opportunity to remain healthy and thrive throughout childhood," said NIH Director Dr. Francis S. Collins in an announcement. "ECHO will help us better understand the factors that contribute to optimal health in children."

Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, said pediatric research is central to UMMC's mission.

"What could be more important than researching how children can lead healthier lives? Studies that can be life-changing are at the heart of our purpose, and we thank the National Institutes of Health for supporting the work of our researchers."

Summers emphasized the broader impact of the work.

"The National Institutes of Health ECHO grant will help us gain insights through research that will ultimately allow children and families everywhere to live healthier lives. Through this funding, we will create the collaborative network needed for Mississippi to progress in pediatric clinical research."