Creating a smoking cessation program for sexual and gender minority individuals in high-stigma areas
Official title: Developing An Empowerment Theory-Based Smoking Cessation Intervention for Sexual and/or Gender Minority People with Community Partners
Funded at University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr · NIH-11059623 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new program called ECHO to help LGBTQ+ individuals in areas where they face stigma quit smoking, by focusing on their unique challenges and involving them in community support activities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $191,251 |
| NIH project number | 1R34DA060534-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11059623 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are sexual and/or gender minority individuals aged 21 and older who live in areas with high stigma related to their identity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as sexual or gender minorities or who live in low-stigma environments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop and test a smoking cessation intervention called ECHO (Empowering Our Community & Health Outcomes) specifically for sexual and/or gender minority (SGM) individuals living in areas with high stigma. The project involves collaboration with community partners to inform and refine the intervention, focusing on the unique challenges faced by SGM individuals in these environments. By engaging participants in community empowerment activities, the program seeks to address both personal behavior change and the sociopolitical factors contributing to smoking inequities. The pilot testing phase will evaluate the effectiveness of this tailored approach in helping participants quit smoking.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve smoking cessation rates among sexual and gender minority individuals, leading to better health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While smoking cessation interventions exist, this approach is innovative as it specifically addresses the unique sociopolitical challenges faced by SGM individuals, making it a novel initiative.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
Oklahoma City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcquoid, Julia — University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
- Study coordinator: Mcquoid, Julia
Related research
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Integrated approach to lung screening and quitting for African Americans
A multi-level program aims to boost LDCT lung cancer screening uptake and help African American smokers quit, with support from a comprehensive community-focused plan.
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Peer-led smoking-cessation program for public housing residents
A peer-led program with eight group sessions plus nicotine replacement therapy is tested on adults living in public housing to help them quit smoking.
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.