Understanding acquired disabilities and improving health equity in rural Appalachia
Official title: From Survival to Living Well: A Socioecological Approach to Understand Acquired Disability and Advance Health Equity in Rural Appalachia
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-10995913 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at the everyday challenges faced by people with disabilities living in rural Appalachian Kentucky, where there are more disabilities than in other parts of the country, to better understand their experiences and find ways to improve support and care for them and their families.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | September 3, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $41,572 |
| NIH project number | 1F31MD019997-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10995913 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in rural Appalachia who have experienced an acquired disability, as well as their families.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not reside in rural Appalachia or who have not experienced an acquired disability may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the challenges faced by individuals with acquired disabilities in rural Appalachian Kentucky, where the rate of disability is significantly higher than the national average. By employing a mixed methods ethnographic approach, the study aims to explore the lived experiences of these individuals and their families, focusing on the ongoing care and support needed after acute health events. The research seeks to identify cultural and structural factors that contribute to health disparities, ultimately aiming to inform better health outcomes and support systems for this underserved population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes and support systems for individuals with acquired disabilities in rural areas.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach is innovative in its focus on rural Appalachia, similar ethnographic studies have shown success in understanding health disparities in other underserved populations.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roberts, Michelle Kathleen — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Roberts, Michelle Kathleen
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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.