$21 Million Study Will Research Health Disparities in the Rural South
People who live in rural parts of the South are 51% more likely to die from heart disease than people who live in metropolitan areas outside the south, according to Suzanne Judd, a professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).
“We know there’s a huge rural-urban health disparity in terms of life expectancy and cardiovascular disease burden,” Judd says.
A new study funded by the National Institutes of Health will try to figure out what causes this disparity. The Risk Underlying Rural Areas Longitudinal (RURAL) Cohort Study includes researchers from 16 institutions across the country. UAB is one of the lead partners and will serve as the recruitment and retention center.
The RURAL project will study around 4,000 people who live in the rural South. Researchers are going to build a clinic on wheels that will house a full-sized CT scanner and travel to 10 counties across Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky and Louisiana. Participants who enroll in the study will get a comprehensive health screening and genetic testing. They will also be interviewed about their environment and lifestyle choices.
Judd says the study also includes funding to hire community health workers to recruit participants and connect them with local resources.
“The goal is to actually have some infrastructure in the county,” Judd says, “so that we’re not just walking in and walking out, that we’re leaving behind some infrastructure related to health.”
The RURAL study is funded with $21.4 million from the NIH to last six years. In Alabama, research is likely to take place in Wilcox and Dallas counties.
‘It’s like feeling the arms of your creator just wrapped around you’: a visit to a special healing Shabbat
Members of Temple Emanu-El in Birmingham gathered recently for their traditional Friday Shabbat service. But this particular service was different, as could be seen by all the people dressed in their finest pink.
Space Command is coming to Huntsville. What might that mean for first-time homebuyers
While Huntsville has been a more affordable market than other growing cities, what’s it been like for those looking for their first home?
Colorado says relocation of Space Command to Alabama is ‘punishment’ for mail-in voting
The litigation announced by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser asks a federal judge to block the move as unconstitutional.
Breaking down Alabama’s CHOOSE Act
It’s been a year since Alabama legislators passed the CHOOSE Act allowing families to apply for state funds to use towards homeschool expenses and tuition for participating private schools. The Alabama Daily News’ education reporter Trisha Powell Crain has been diving into how the funds are being used. WBHM’s Andrew Gelderman sat down with her to talk about what we’re seeing so far.
Huntsville is growing fast. Here’s how it’s stayed affordable
Home prices are rising in Huntsville, but so far, the city’s avoided the skyrocketing costs in other boom towns.
What are your unique holiday traditions? NPR wants to know
The holiday season is full of traditions and we all celebrate them a bit differently. NPR wants to your most unique holiday traditions. What makes celebrating this time of year feel special for you?
