Grant will support research on obesity-related risks in women with a focus on Georgia’s rural populations.
A research team at Augusta University, led by Dr. Jennifer C. Sullivan, has received a $4.4 million grant from the American Heart Association (AHA) to study how cardiovascular and kidney diseases affect women, especially those with obesity.
The research center, titled “Disruptions in Cardiorenal Free Fatty Acid Metabolism in Cardiovascular Kidney Metabolic Syndrome,” is part of a national $15 million AHA initiative. The larger project, “Strategically Focused Research Network on Cardiovascular Kidney Metabolic Syndrome: Heterogeneity in Women,” aims to better understand why women face higher risks of heart and kidney diseases, particularly during different life stages.
Augusta University is one of three institutions selected for the initiative, alongside Massachusetts General Hospital and The Ohio State University.
“This is a major step forward for Augusta University and our research on women’s health,” said Sullivan, who also serves as interim provost and dean of The Graduate School. “This funding helps us make progress not just in Georgia, but across the country, in improving women’s health.”
Georgia’s Health Challenges Highlighted
According to the Healthy Georgia Report from AU’s School of Public Health, Georgia ranks 23rd in the nation for obesity. Among women in the state, 38.3% are affected. Obesity is also widespread in rural areas, with 37.5% of rural residents living with the condition.
“It’s important that we represent Georgia, which has such high obesity rates,” said Sullivan, who also directs AU’s SCORE project ROAR (Rural, Obese, At Risk). “Different populations have different health needs. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. We’re focused on how distinct groups are affected.”
Three Research Projects to Tackle CKM Syndrome
The Augusta University team will focus on Cardiovascular Kidney Metabolic (CKM) Syndrome, which is a combination of conditions including heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity. Together, these raise the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. According to the AHA, nearly one in three U.S. adults has at least three of the syndrome’s risk factors—high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, high blood sugar, poor kidney function, or excess body weight.
The center’s work is divided into three main research projects:
Aging and Diet’s Role in Obesity-Related CKMS
Led by Dr. Daria Ilatovskaya and Dr. Justine Abais-Battad, this project will explore how aging and a Western-style diet contribute to CKMS. Ilatovskaya is an associate professor and director of the PhD program in Physiology. Abais-Battad is an assistant professor in the Department of Physiology.
Pregnancy and Obesity’s Impact on CKMS
Headed by Dr. Jessica Faulkner, this research focuses on how obesity during pregnancy may trigger or worsen CKMS. Faulkner is an assistant professor in the Medical College of Georgia’s Physiology department.
Epidemiology of CKMS and Its Ties to Obesity
This project is led by Dr. Stephen Coughlin and Dr. Marlo Vernon. They will analyze public health data to study the relationships between obesity, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Coughlin is a professor in the Department of Biostatistics, Data Science, and Epidemiology, and Vernon is with both the Georgia Prevention Institute and the Department of Community and Behavioral Health Sciences.
In addition to research, the team will work with women and health care providers from diverse backgrounds. They will assess awareness of heart health and develop strategies for education, prevention, and treatment.
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