Regenstrief researcher awarded $1.9 million CDC grant

Award funds study to improve long-term outcomes of those living with congenital heart defects

Jill Inderstrodt, PhD, MPH, received notification of a five-year, $1.9 million collaborative grant to improve health and the care of people living with congenital heart defects (CHD).

Awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Inderstrodt will lead a multidisciplinary team from the Indiana University Fairbanks School of Public Health and the Regenstrief Institute. Also part of the research team is Brian Dixon, PhD, MPA, a Regenstrief researcher, Fairbanks School professor and interim director of the Regenstrief Center for Biomedical Informatics.

“I am honored to lead this initiative alongside a dedicated team of experts,” said Dr. Inderstrodt, assistant professor of health policy and management at the Fairbanks School. “By integrating clinical, administrative and public health data, we have the opportunity to not only identify and track individuals with congenital heart defects, but also improve the long-term outcomes of those living with CHD. This level of collaboration will allow us to make effective policy recommendations that will enhance the care and support of these individuals throughout their lives.”

The project has the following four aims:

1. Identify cases of congenital heart defects among children, adolescents and adults living in Indiana.
2. Integrate clinical and administrative data about individuals living with congenital heart defects.
3. Utilize integrated data to measure outcomes for people living with congenital heart defects.
4. Make policy recommendations so that individuals with congenital heart failure can experience long-term health.

The grant, “Advancing Surveillance of Congenital Heart Defects: Using Unparalleled Informatics and Data Science to Improve the Health of Children, Adolescents, and Adults,” will include collaboration across the Fairbanks School’s Center for Health Policy, Regenstrief Institute, Indiana Department of Health, Riley Hospital for Children and local nonprofit organizations. In addition to Drs. Inderstrodt and Dixon, the project team includes Fairbanks School’s Katy Hilts, PhD, MPH, and staff from the Center for Health Policy.