Community
Community is the Foundation of our Research
Community input throughout the RURAL Cohort Study is at the heart of our research. We will include the community and participants at every stage of the research. By working with local leaders and community organizations, we will ensure your health concerns are recognized.
Community Calendar
We value your input
Some members of our team will work with community members and local organizations to engage participants. We will provide a network in the rural counties between researchers, health-related providers, and local groups to address health outcomes.
We aim to share county-specific results with community organizations and other groups in this network. This information may also guide future programs to improve health in their local area. All rural communities will have access to county-level findings as data becomes available throughout the study period.
Hiring locally
There are many ways for community members to get involved with the RURAL Cohort Study, either as a member of an advisory board, or as a Community Engagement Coordinator (CEC). We will invest resources to ensure these CECs are trained to a high standard. The training will ensure they are professional, caring, and very responsive to participants and their needs and preferences.
RURAL Cohort Study News
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has awarded a $43.99 million contract to fund the second phase of the RURAL Cohort Study. The RURAL Exam 2 is scheduled to begin in January 2027 and will re-engage approximately 4,000 participants across Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Mississippi. By revisiting the original cohort, this follow-up will provide high-tech clinical insights into how health risks and community resilience evolve over time, directly informing future medical treatments and prevention strategies for rural populations.