About
Brief study summary
The main goal of the study is to understand what germs are causing pneumonia among adults so we can identify better ways to prevent pneumonia. This study will determine which strains of a germ called pneumococcus, a leading cause of pneumonia, are causing disease. In addition, this study will follow-up a subset of people who have been hospitalized with pneumonia over 6 months to understand the effects of the illness beyond just the immediate acute illness.
Study background
Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs and is one of the leading causes of hospitalization among Native American adults. There are many different germs that can cause pneumonia, and knowing more about the different causes can help us identify ways to prevent disease. One of the most common causes of pneumonia is a bacterium called pneumococcus. To optimize prevention strategies, such as vaccination, it is important to understand the risk of infection from the different types of pneumococcus.
What are we doing?
This study is being done by the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health at participating IHS and Tribal Health facilities in the Navajo Nation and White Mountain Apache Tribal lands. Adults hospitalized with pneumonia are invited to volunteer for the study following informed consent. Study participation involves a questionnaire, collection of a urine sample and a saliva sample to look for causes of pneumonia, and a review of medical records. Being in the study does not affect the routine clinical care the participant receives. Recruitment for the study began in July 2025 and will continue for 2 years.
How this will help improve health in your community?
Pneumonia and pneumococcal disease affect Native Americans more than the general U.S. population. Understanding the causes will help find ways to prevent pneumonia.
Principal Investigator/Program Coordinator information
Principal Investigator: Laura Hammitt lhammitt@jhu.edu
Study Coordinator: Bianca Jackson bianca.jackson@jhu.edu
Additional Information
IRB #: JHSPH 30906, NNR-25.545, PHX IHS IRB-25.05
Sponsor: This study is being sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. (“Merck”). The funding to conduct this study has been provided to Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health by Merck.
