A Natural History of Cardiometabolic Disease Among US Bhutanese: Developing the Cross-Sectional Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio Health Study to Understand Acculturation as Synergizing Socioenvironmental and Biobehavioral Risk Factors Propagating ...
Cardiometabolic Risk Factors · Mental Health
What this study involves
The registry does not currently label this study as recruiting. Ask about its status before planning a screening visit.
- Study type
- Observational
- Phase
- Not applicable / not listed
- Age range
- 18 years - 100 years
- Sex eligible
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Participants
- 50 Estimated
These are starting points, not an eligibility decision. The research team must review the full requirements.
About the research
Background:
As of 2021, almost 45 million people in the United States were foreign-born immigrants. South Asians, including people from Bhutan, are the fastest-growing immigrant subgroup in the US. Their income and education levels are higher than the US average. Yet they have worse physical and mental health outcomes than their White US-born counterparts. These risks include type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Objective:
This natural history study will explore how life experiences and environmental factors affect heart health and metabolism among Bhutanese people living in the US.
Eligibility:
Adults aged 18 years or older who identify as Bhutanese and live in the US.
Design:
Participants will be recruited and screened by the Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio (BCCO). They will have 1 visit to the BCCO s Arogya Clinic in Reynoldsburg. The visit will last 2 hours.
Participants will take a survey; they may use either English or Nepali. They will answer questions about their background; their experiences living in the US; and how their customs and habits might have changed. They will also be asked about their experiences with discrimination; their mental health and well-being; their community; quality of life; and overall physical health. The survey will take 60 minutes.
Participants will also speak with a researcher. They will be asked how they feel about providing biological samples; these may include saliva, blood, and urine. Their answers will be audio recorded.
Read the full description
Study Description:
In 2021 we completed a cross-sectional feasibility study to assess cardiometabolic health of the Bhutanese refugee community in central Ohio. This is a cross-sectional pilot to assess the feasibility of establishing a long-term cohort study among the Bhutanese community to provide representation of a hardly-reached demographic group, optimize collection of behavioral and biological data. Schedule of Activities, describes the study activities including a survey assessing the participants experiences and a brief qualitative assessment examining the feasibility of obtaining biological samples.
Objectives:
The objectives are as follow:
Primary Objective: (Aim 1) To summarize socioecological characteristics of acculturation and cardiometabolic health from \>=18-year-old adults United States Bhutanese living in Central Ohio.
Secondary Objectives: (Aim 2) To identify barriers and facilitators to biospecimen donation among United States Bhutanese adults living in Central Ohio.
Endpoints:
Primary Objective: (Aim 1) Summary on self-reported constructs of acculturation and acculturative stress, discrimination and stigma, health behaviors, medical history and health behaviors, mental health, sleep health, neighborhood social cohesion and community support, trauma, and medical history of cardiometabolic conditions.
Secondary Objectives: (Aim 2) Description of barriers and facilitators to biospecimen donation from US Bhutanese participants identified by qualitative inquiry and analysis of beliefs on biospecimens and invasiveness.
Who may be able to participate?
The list below is the sponsor’s full registry wording. It can include conditions, prior treatment, test results and other requirements. A match in search does not mean you qualify.
- INCLUSION CRITERIA:
To participate in this study all of the following criteria must be met:
- Adults (aged 18 years and older) living in the United States
- Identify as Bhutanese, which will be defined as those individuals that resided or had/have their closest relatives residing in the Kingdom of Bhutan
- Bhutanese identity will also include those that self-identify as Bhutanese-Nepali or Bhutanese American
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:
- Any South Asian participants that do not identify as Bhutanese.
- Pregnant at time of study or screening
Study population
Adults aged 18 years or older who identify as Bhutanese and live in the US, greater Ohio area.
Understand screeningTreatment, groups and participation
The registry may describe treatments and study duration without a complete visit calendar. Ask the study team for the exact schedule, procedures, risks, costs and alternatives. Keep your usual care plan unless your treating clinician tells you otherwise.
- Assignment
- Not reported
- Masking
- Not reported
US Bhutanese
Those self-identifying as Bhutanese living in central Ohio.
What researchers are measuring
Outcome measures describe what is being studied. They are not proof that a treatment works.
Primary measures
To summarize socioecological characteristics of acculturation and cardiometabolic health from >=18-year-old adults United States Bhutanese living in Central Ohio.
Time frame: 6-12 months
Summary on self-reported constructs of acculturation and acculturative stress, discrimination and stigma, health behaviors, medical history and health behaviors, mental health, sleep health, neighborhood social cohesion and community support, trauma, and medical history of cardiometabolic conditions.
Secondary measures
To identify barriers and facilitators to biospecimen donation among United States Bhutanese adults living in Central Ohio.
Time frame: 6-12 months
Description of barriers and facilitators to biospecimen donation from US Bhutanese participants identified by qualitative inquiry and analysis of beliefs on biospecimens and invasiveness.
Review the complete result tables and limitations in the official record.
Open official results ↗Research locations (1)
The overall study status and a local site’s status can differ. Confirm that location’s availability before traveling.
1 locations
Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio (BCCO)Columbus, Ohio, United StatesStatus unknown
Study team and timeline
- Lead sponsor
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
- Study start
- Nov 15, 2026 Estimated
- Primary completion
- Aug 31, 2027 Estimated
- Study completion
- Aug 31, 2027 Estimated
- First posted
- May 28, 2025 Actual
- Last updated
- Nov 10, 2026 Actual
Official study contacts
Official study title
A Natural History of Cardiometabolic Disease Among US Bhutanese: Developing the Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio Health Study to Identify Synergizing Socioenvironmental and Biobehavioral Risk Factors Propagating Health Disparities From a Cross-Sectional Study
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Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Information is submitted by sponsors and investigators. NLM does not approve the safety or science of all listed studies. Registry disclaimer.
Retrieved: Nov 11, 2026 · Last registry update: Nov 10, 2026