Improving health equity in Appalachian communities through community engagement

UK ASCEND (Achieving Success in Community-Engaged research to elimiNate Disparities)

NIH-funded research University of Kentucky · NIH-11138422

This study is all about helping people in underserved areas of Kentucky, especially in Appalachia, by training local scholars and working together with community members to find better ways to improve health and tackle health challenges.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Kentucky NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Lexington, United States)
Project IDNIH-11138422 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on addressing health disparities in underserved populations, particularly in the Appalachian region of Kentucky. It aims to enhance community-engaged research by training scholars and fostering collaboration with community stakeholders through a Community Advisory Board. The project will implement a training program and pilot initiatives to empower local communities and improve health outcomes. By involving diverse populations, the research seeks to create sustainable solutions to health inequities.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include Black, Hispanic, and socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals living in rural Appalachian areas.

Not a fit: Patients who do not reside in the Appalachian region or who do not belong to the targeted underserved populations may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes and reduced disparities for underserved populations in Appalachia.

How similar studies have performed: Previous community-engaged research initiatives have shown promise in reducing health disparities, indicating that this approach could be effective.

Where this research is happening

Lexington, 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.
Conditions cancer disparitycancer health disparitycancer-related health disparityCancers
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.