The University of Kentucky’s new AppalTRuSt research center will use 19-million dollars in federal grants to launch tobacco research studies in southeastern and northeastern Kentucky. Dr. Seth Himelhoch, the chair of UK’s Department of Psychiatry, said researchers will employ tobacco regulatory science.
“Tobacco regulatory science is the idea that how we can use science to understand how people can make healthier choices, particularly around the use of combustible tobacco.”
Himelhoch said smoking and vaping – and cancer rates – are higher in Appalachia than the rest of the country. The study will examine tobacco use and marketing in three northeastern and five southeastern Kentucky counties – and compare the data. Himelhoch said it’s the first study of its kind – and the results will be shared with those communities, and beyond.
“My hope is that if people are able to make healthier choices about the use of tobacco, particularly limiting combustible forms of tobacco, that we would be able to see, you know, a high impact on the health and quality of life of people over time.”
AppalTRuST is an acronym beginning with Appalachia and ending with Tobacco Regulatory Science Team.
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