AppalTRuST Project: How tobacco rules affect rural Kentucky adults
Official title: AppalTRuST Project 1: Population based Cohort study of tobacco use prevalence in Appalachian KY
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-11394485 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large, long-term study in Appalachian Kentucky will follow 2,000 adults to see how changes in tobacco regulations influence tobacco use and related beliefs over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $287,205 |
| NIH project number | 5U54DA058256-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11394485 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 18 years and older living in the specified Appalachian Kentucky catchment areas who are willing to participate in longitudinal surveys.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals outside the catchment areas or those unwilling to participate in follow-up surveys may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project will enroll adults 18+ from two ruralCatchment areas in Appalachian Kentucky and track their tobacco use and attitudes every six months for four years. Using a cohort design, researchers will collect survey data guided by the Health Belief Model to understand how knowledge, perceptions, and external cues relate to tobacco behaviors. The study aims to inform FDA policies by revealing how regulatory changes could reduce tobacco use in rural communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could guide more effective tobacco regulations and community interventions to reduce tobacco use in rural Appalachia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous similar cohorts have helped identify behavioral factors linked to tobacco use, supporting the potential value of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rayens, Mary Kay — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Rayens, Mary Kay
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.