Current Health Research Studies

Last updated: July 1, 2024
by: Community Engagement Core

The USC Community Water Analysis Project involves analyzing water and dust in the homes of participants to detect PFAS chemicals. During the visit, you will be provided with a water filter that removes these chemicals.

They are looking for households whose water provider is not the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). If your water provider is not LADWP and you decide to participate, your collaboration will consist of:

• Coordinating a visit to your home to collect water and dust samples. 
• Answering a series of questions about your water consumption. 
• Receiving a water filter. 
• Upon completing the initial visit, you will receive a $50 gift card.

To verify if you qualify to participate or to receive more information, contact Tamar Galindo at (323) 442-8214.

Has your child recently been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? Do you find yourself overwhelmed and confused about what to do next and how to best support your child? The University of Southern California Autism and Family Support Lab is launching a new study that is testing the effectiveness of a parent program called STAND. The purpose of STAND is to help families feel more assured and confident in understanding and supporting their autistic child.

The Support and Training on Autism for Newly Diagnosed Families (STAND) program is a 8-week, virtual group for parents whose child was diagnosed with ASD in the past 9 months. Each of the eight sessions will last about one hour during which the group facilitator will provide information to and lead discussions with 4-7 parent participants.

Eligible participants are legal guardians of a child, age 2.5 – 6 years, who has received a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder within 12 months of enrollment. 

To sign up or learn more, send them an email to auitsmfs.lab@gmail.com or complete their Google form here. 

Visit their website here.

Over 100 million adults in the U.S. are living with diabetes or pre-diabetes, and Latinos are at much higher risk. Diabetes also increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. These diseases are under-studied in Latinos. You can help!

Join the Diabetes Brain Study at the University of Southern California to help researchers learn more about the link between these diseases as they work towards improved prevention and treatment for everyone.

Contact Lorena Contreras at LC_454@usc.edu or Giovanni Ariel Trejos at GAT_193@usc.edu. You can also call 1-833-USC BRAIN (1-833-872-2724). 

Visit USCBrian.com to learn more. 

The All of Us Research Program is inviting one million people across the U.S. to help build one of the most diverse health databases in history. They welcome participants from all backgrounds. Researchers will use the data to learn how our biology, lifestyle, and environment affect health. This may one day help them find ways to treat and prevent disease. Learn more and sign up here.

Contact Jennelle Alcaraz for more information at (323) 865-1774 or email alcarazj@usc.edu.

Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Southern California Center for Latino Health is conducting a study titled, "Infant Feeding and Activity Study." This study is about the effects of different feeding styles on infant growth and development. They will compare the effects of these feeding styles on 24-hour glycemic response over 7 days, physical activity over 7 days, sleep patterns, and infant growth at 6-7 months. 

Participants will be asked to complete a 1-3 hour long visit when their infant is 6-7 months old; and a follow up visit a week after to return the equipment. 

The visit will take place at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles in the Saban Research Institute. 

Participating in this research study is voluntary.

Contact Sinthia Arcadia for more information at (323) 208-1689 or email sarcadiarodriguez@chla.usc.edu.

A team of researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles are conducting a study to understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 in people under 25 years of age who are suspected of having or have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

They want to understand...

• How COVID affects a child's body
• How many children continue to feel sick after getting COVID-19
• Why some children feel sick for so long

Participants will be compensated for their time and participation in the study.

To obtain more information, please get in touch with Natayla Seals at natayla.seals@med.usc.edu or call (323) 447-7905.

This USC study is about how brain functions affect the eating habits of adolescents. The research team hopes to develop and test a way to gather information about the daily life and diet of adolescents. This information could help develop new programs and policies to prevent childhood obesity and the risk of related cardiovascular diseases. A total of 75 adolescents will participate in the study. This research has been funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

You may be eligible if you are between the ages of 14 to 17.

Participants would include the following:
- Screening to determine eligibility (phone or online)
- 3 hour study visit at USC, including brain scanning
- 10 days of brief assessments as you go about your daily life while wearing an activity monitor 

Eligible individuals will be compensated for participation. 

Contact Rosalba Cain for more information at (323) 547-8929 or email bitestudy@usc.edu. 

Complete the study screener here.