The United States Renal Data System (USRDS) shows that the all-cause mortality for American Indian and Hispanic persons with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is higher than for White persons with ESRD. American Indian and Hispanic populations also experience higher health disparities due to social determinants of health (SDOH). The objective of this proposed study is to develop machine learning and computational models, based on patient-level USRDS data and zip code or county-level SDOH data to predict the risk of mortality among American Indian and Hispanic persons with ESRD who have varying socio-demographic characteristics and social determinants of health. South Dakota will be the primary state of focus for this proposal due to the large proportion of American Indian residents and the rapidly growing number of Hispanic residents. The proposed study will identify factors associated with the risk of mortality for these groups. 

This NIH AIM-AHEAD project is led by Dr. Semhar Michael and in collaboration with Dr. Hossein Moradi (SDSU), Dr. Brandon Varilek (SDSU), Dr. Surachat Ngorsuraches (Auburn University), Dr. Patti Brooks (Dakota State University), and health care partners including AVERA, Sanford Health, and  Great Plains Tribal Leaders’ Health Board.