Breathe Pennsylvania Lung Health Research Grants 2024-2025
Since 1904, Breathe PA has empowered western Pennsylvanians to breathe better and live healthier through education and awareness of lung health in our community. Breathe Pennsylvania serves thousands of adults and children annually with free or minimal cost programs and services. Research funding is yet another service commitment to our community.
Breathe PA is issuing a request for proposals (RFP) for the purpose of conducting research leading to improved care and outcomes for patients with lung disease. We invite you or representatives from your organization to apply for Breathe PA’s Lung Health Research Grant.
Projects will be funded at or between $10,000 and $50,000 for the project period July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025. This grant supports our organization’s pursuit of improving the quality of life for those suffering from respiratory diseases and preventing respiratory diseases in future generations in Western Pennsylvania.
Complete applications must be submitted by email to Breathe PA’s Executive Director Casey Monroe (cmonroe@breathepa.org) by April 1, 2024 for funding considerations. Resumes and/or CVs for the project team are required for the grant submission to be considered complete. Please attach these in addition to the application.
If you have any questions or require more information, please feel free to contact Casey by email (cmonroe@breathepa.org) or phone (412) 807-8661.
2023-2024 Grantees
Investigation and Mitigation of Asthma Severity in Populations with Higher Environmental Justice Burdens
Authors: Dr. Jim Fabisiak, Dr. Tina Ndoh, Dr. Nesta Bortey-Sam, and Dr. Sally Wenzel
To investigate and improve asthma severity in populations living in neighborhoods with environmental justice concerns, researchers in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health are conducting a study in Homewood, a predominantly African American neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA. Research has shown that exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution is associated with adverse effects on human health, including worsening respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Despite significant progress in reducing air pollution levels since the formation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970, about 85 million Americans still live in counties with air pollutant concentrations above the EPA suggested “safe levels,” and are more likely to be members of underserved and lower income communities. Living in these neighborhoods has been demonstrated to increase the odds of severe and uncontrolled asthma. The Pitt study team will reach out to community members in Homewood to increase their knowledge of air pollution and its health effects and explore whether low-cost options for enhancing indoor air quality can reduce the respiratory health impact of pollution.
Efficacy of CPAP in reducing cognitive fog in post COVID patients with sleep apnea
Author: Dr. Venkatesh Krishnamurthy, MBBS
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a breathing disorder in which patients have episodes of stopping breathing in their sleep. It is common and occurs in up to 60% of post COVID 19 patients. Cognitive fog is one of the common complaints endorsed by 74% of patients with post COVID syndrome, which leads to frequent absenteeism from the workforce. OSA and post COVID syndrome are both independently associated with cognitive fog, mediated by similar inflammatory process. This study evaluates if post COVID patients with OSA have increased severity of cognitive fog. It will further evaluate if clinical treatment of OSA with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) reduces cognitive fog in post COVID patients, over a period of 4 weeks.