Tobacco use patterns in Appalachian Kentucky adults
Official title: AppalTRuST Project 1: Population based Cohort study of tobacco use prevalence in Appalachian KY
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-11163563 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project follows adults in Appalachian Kentucky to track tobacco use, attitudes, and exposures over time to see how FDA tobacco rules affect people in rural communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $250,736 |
| NIH project number | 5U54DA058256-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11163563 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 18 and older who live in the study catchment counties in Appalachian Kentucky and can complete surveys every six months are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People who live outside the selected Appalachian Kentucky counties or who are under 18 would not be eligible to join and are unlikely to directly benefit from participation.
What this research studies
You would be part of a group of about 2,000 adults from eight counties in Appalachian Kentucky who are asked about tobacco use every six months for four years. The project compares two catchment areas with different levels of rurality to understand how local context affects use. Questions will cover knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and external cues using the Health Belief Model to link beliefs with tobacco behaviors. Data will be used to inform how FDA tobacco regulations might impact rural populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help shape FDA and local policies to better reduce tobacco use and exposure in rural Appalachian communities.
How similar studies have gone: Long-term cohort studies have informed tobacco policy in the past, but dedicated longitudinal work focused on rural Appalachian populations has been less common.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rayens, Mary Kay — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Rayens, Mary Kay
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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.