Research

Community Partners Receive Funding for Health Outreach Projects in Four Appalachian Counties

Lexington, Ky. (June 29, 2015)  Four community partners recently received funding from the Univeristy of Kentucky Center for Clinical and Translational Science to support health outreach projects that address health disparities in Kentucky's Appalachian communities.

The community mini-grant awards of $2,500 each are administered annually by the CCTS Community Engagement and Research program, which builds partnerships between lay, practice, and academic communities in order to identify and address priority health needs of Appalachian populations in Kentucky.

Projects funded in 2015 will address health disparities and promote wellness in four Kentucky counties. The recipients, their community-based organization, and their projects include:

  • Jeremy Hatcher, Manchester Memorial Hospital, implement a summer fitness program in Clay County to promote physical activity and healthy eating for adults and teens over age 16.
  • Kristina Jayne, Gateway Wellness Coalition, implement a five-week, school-based program called "Walking 4 Wellness" aimed at preventing obesity among fourth- and fifth-grade students in Rowan County elementary schools during the 2015-2016 school year.
  • Ancil Lewis, Big Sandy Diabetes Coalition, lead a community-coordinated diabetes and outreach program among individuals in a low-income senior housing facility in Pike County.
  • Sara Poeppelman, Lewis County High School, promote an understanding of the health status of residents in Lewis County by work with high school students to explain cardiovascular health-related concepts.

Media Contact: Mallory Powell, Mallory.powell@uky.edu