Using a tailored chatbot to help African Americans quit smoking
Official title: Feasibility of Using a Culturally Tailored Conversational Agent for promoting smoking cessation treatment utilization in African Americans who use cigarettes
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11160935 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a friendly chatbot designed to help African Americans who smoke by offering personalized support and resources to make quitting easier and more relatable.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $641,110 |
| NIH project number | 3P50MD017342-04S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11160935 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are African American adults who currently smoke cigarettes and are seeking to quit.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as African American or those who are not interested in quitting smoking may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of a culturally tailored conversational agent, or chatbot, designed to encourage African Americans who smoke to utilize smoking cessation treatments. The approach focuses on creating a supportive and relatable digital environment that addresses specific cultural factors influencing smoking behaviors. Participants will interact with the chatbot, which will provide personalized guidance and resources to aid in their quitting journey. The study aims to assess how well this technology can improve treatment uptake and support among this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance smoking cessation efforts among African Americans, leading to improved health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that culturally tailored interventions can be effective in promoting health behavior changes in diverse populations, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Allen, Michele L — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Allen, Michele L
Related research
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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.
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.