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Feinberg Receives 5-Year, Multimillion-Dollar Grant to Advance Health Equity Among Minorities

August 20, 2024

Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine has been awarded a 5-year, $3.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to advance research on technology used to detect diabetic eye disease, specifically focusing on racial and ethnic minorities who are most affected by diabetes and blindness. This initiative, known as the Health Equity and Access to Leverage Technology for Improved Diabetic Retinopathy Outcomes (HEAL-DR), aims to bridge critical gaps in how this disease is detected with specific technology and treated among these vulnerable groups.

Diabetes is a widespread health issue in the United States, impacting over 37 million people, with many at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy (DR)—the leading cause of blindness in adults. Unfortunately, minority groups bear the brunt of this condition, facing a higher likelihood of severe vision loss and disability.

To combat this disparity, the HEAL-DR study will explore the effectiveness of existing eye exam technologies, like optical coherence tomography (OCT), in improving the detection and treatment of DR among minorities. Current research shows that most participants in DR clinical trials are disproportionately White and male, leaving a gap in understanding how these technologies work across diverse populations.

By leveraging data from the Sight OUtcomes Research CollaborativE (SOURCE)—a vast network of electronic health records from 35 large academic medical centers—HEAL-DR aims to develop new models for identifying minority patients at the highest risk of vision loss. This approach will not only enhance early detection but also improve treatment guidelines tailored to those who need it most.

The outcomes of this research are expected to have a profound impact on public health by guiding more effective and equitable interventions for diabetic eye disease. It aligns with broader national efforts to reduce health disparities and prevent vision loss, supported by key stakeholders such as the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the National Academy of Medicine.

As the Feinberg School of Medicine continues its commitment to health equity, the HEAL-DR project represents a critical step toward ensuring that all patients, regardless of race or ethnicity, have access to the best possible care for diabetic retinopathy.

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