U.S.-Peru Strategic Partnership for Advanced Cardiovascular Research and Training

About This Grant

Chronic cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and in the US, where a high prevalence of hypertension and significant healthcare gaps in awareness, treatment, and control contribute to the global CVD burden. The scientific rationale for conducting this research internationally is compelling; it leverages unique population characteristics, including high-altitude Andean communities and distinct genetic admixture, not readily available in the U.S. but essential for understanding CVD risk factors across diverse environmental contexts. The approximately 710,000 U.S. residents of direct regional origin stand to benefit from these findings. The D43 Training Grant represents a collaboration between US investigators (Washington University in St. Louis and Johns Hopkins University) and regional partners (Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia and Universidad Nacional del Altiplano). This program leverages existing research infrastructure to train scientists and health professionals in chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)/CVD, addressing the limited number of local investigators currently leading such studies—a significant barrier to a sustainable research program. The objectives of this structured program are to develop research careers in chronic CVD, stroke, implementation science, and environmental health through mentoring by internationally renowned faculty and engagement in high-impact projects; and to ensure a full transition of program leadership and administration from the U.S. to Peruvian MPIs, faculty, and institutions. Since its inception, the program has supported trainees to build the skills necessary for research independence and for translating evidence into public health policy. A critical milestone was achieved in Project Year 05 with the full transition of leadership to local MPIs, with UPCH assuming the role of prime administrative institution. This program offers high reciprocity for U.S. public health: Hispanic and Latino Americans, who represent 18.7% of the U.S. population, share similar genetic and socioeconomic risk profiles with the study populations. By optimizing low-cost, scalable "reciprocal innovations" for hypertension management and identifying barriers to care in resource-constrained settings, this program generates evidence-based strategies to reduce health disparities and "know-do" gaps within underserved rural and urban communities in the United States.