Digital health strategies to expand lung cancer screening in safety-net clinics
Official title: Digital Health Implementation Strategies to Improve Lung Cancer Screening Among Safety-Net Clinics
Funded at Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · NIH-11509378 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A funded project aims to help low-resource clinics increase the use of lung cancer screening for patients who smoke or are at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | September 29, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $349,998 |
| NIH project number | 5U48DP006855-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11509378 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults in safety-net clinics who are eligible for lung cancer screening under USPSTF guidelines and who are uninsured or low-income.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not eligible for LCS or those not connected to participating clinics may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests how digital health approaches can expand access to low-dose CT lung cancer screening in safety-net clinics that serve underserved populations. It uses a mixed-methods design to measure screening uptake before and after implementing digital strategies, and to understand barriers and facilitators from patients and clinic staff. The work partners with multiple free clinics in Utah to reach uninsured and low-income adults, many of whom are Latino. The findings could guide scalable, equity-focused implementation in clinics that serve marginalized communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients in safety-net settings could receive more timely lung cancer screening, potentially reducing deaths from the disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that implementation strategies can improve screening uptake, but reach in safety-net settings has been limited and uneven.
Where this research is happening
-
Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schlechter, Chelsey — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Schlechter, Chelsey
Related research
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Digital tools to increase lung cancer screening at free community clinics
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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.