Improving access to preventive health services for rural children in Appalachia

Appalachian STAR Trial – Diversity Supplement

NIH-funded research Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis · NIH-11175840

This study is looking at how to make it easier for kids aged 0-11 in rural Appalachia to get important health check-ups, like hearing screenings, by using telehealth services in schools and listening to community feedback to improve the program.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of Arkansas for Med Scis NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Little Rock, United States)
Project IDNIH-11175840 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing access to preventive health services for children aged 0-11 in rural Appalachia through a school-based telehealth model. It aims to address health disparities by implementing a novel approach that incorporates community feedback to improve the effectiveness of hearing screenings and other preventive services. The study evaluates the implementation of this model and its impact on follow-up care, ensuring that children receive the necessary health services despite geographical barriers. By adapting the program based on participant feedback, the research seeks to create a sustainable model that can be replicated in similar rural settings.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 living in rural Appalachian communities who may have limited access to healthcare services.

Not a fit: Patients who do not reside in rural areas or are outside the age range of 0-11 may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve health outcomes for rural children by providing them with better access to preventive care services.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success with school-based telehealth models in improving access to care, indicating that this approach has potential for positive outcomes.

Where this research is happening

Little Rock, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.