Peer-led smoking-cessation program for public housing residents
Official title: Evaluation of a Peer-Led Smoking Cessation Program in Public Housing
Funded at George Washington University · NIH-11449312 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | George Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $684,465 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA309088-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11449312 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21+ living in public housing who smoke and are willing to participate in group sessions and nicotine replacement therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Smokers who do not engage with the program or those with conditions preventing nicotine replacement therapy may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project targets adults in public housing who smoke and aims to help them quit with a peer-led counseling approach plus nicotine replacement therapy. Participants (n=500) are randomly assigned to either the peer-led intervention or a control condition, with assessments at baseline, 2 months, and 6 months. The study will measure quit rates using saliva cotinine to confirm cessation and will be conducted on-site at DC Housing Authority properties.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could increase quit rates among low-income smokers and reduce tobacco-related health disparities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous small randomized studies suggested potential benefits of peer-led cessation with mixed results, and this study builds on those findings.
Where this research is happening
-
George Washington University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bernat, Debra H — George Washington University
- Study coordinator: Bernat, Debra H
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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.