Using mobile tools to see how social context affects smoking and cancer risk
Exploring the Impact of Social Context on Health Behaviors via mHealth: Refining Models for Cancer Prevention
This project uses smartphone surveys and wearable sensors to track how people's social situations and feelings relate to smoking, with the goal of helping people who use tobacco.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11192816 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would carry a smartphone and wear small sensors that collect short surveys and moment-to-moment data about stress, mood, and smoking. Researchers will link those real-time signals with your demographic background (like income and sex) to see how different factors interact. The team looks for patterns that show when someone is most likely to smoke so future programs can send the right support at the right time. The study focuses on diverse people to better reflect real-life experiences across groups.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who currently use tobacco, are willing to complete short smartphone surveys and wear sensors, and who can participate through the University of Utah are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who do not use tobacco, cannot or will not use a smartphone or wearable device, or cannot participate near Salt Lake City are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to personalized, real-time support that helps people quit smoking and lower their cancer risk.
How similar studies have performed: Prior mHealth and ecological momentary assessment studies have shown promise for identifying smoking triggers and supporting quit attempts, but combining wearable sensors with detailed demographic interactions is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Salt Lake City, United States
- Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah — Salt Lake City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Potter, Lindsey — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Potter, Lindsey
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 below.