University of Wisconsin Partners on Five-Year Project to Combat High Smoking Rates in Low-Income Adults
A new five-year project funded by an $11.1 million grant from the National Cancer Institute will see the University of Wisconsin Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention partner with Community Health Centers in Wisconsin and Massachusetts. The initiative aims to…
Green Bay Appleton, WI, September 30, 2026 — A significant initiative to address high smoking rates among low-income adults is underway, backed by an $11.1 million grant from the National Cancer Institute. The University of Wisconsin Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention (UW CTR) is leading this five-year project, collaborating with Community Health Centers (CHCs) in both Wisconsin and Massachusetts.
The core objective of this collaborative effort is to develop and test novel treatment strategies specifically designed to reduce smoking prevalence within low-income populations. These groups have historically shown higher rates of tobacco use, presenting a persistent public health challenge.
A key tenet of the project is its approach to smoking cessation, which will be treated as a chronic condition rather than an acute one. This perspective suggests that managing smoking may require ongoing support, management, and tailored interventions, mirroring strategies used for other long-term health issues.
The partnership between the UW CTR and community health centers is crucial. Community Health Centers are often on the front lines of care for underserved populations, providing direct access and building trust. By integrating research-driven interventions into these settings, the project aims to ensure that new treatments are not only effective but also accessible and sustainable for those who need them most.
The $11.1 million grant from the National Cancer Institute underscores the federal agency’s commitment to finding effective solutions for tobacco control and cancer prevention. The funding will support the research, development, and testing phases of new cessation methods over the five-year project timeline.
Details regarding the specific types of new treatments to be developed or tested were not provided in the summary. Similarly, the exact number of Community Health Centers involved in Wisconsin and Massachusetts, or the specific patient populations within those centers, were not detailed. The project’s expected outcomes, beyond developing and testing treatments, are also not specified in the initial summary.
Story summarized from the original created by Hope Kirwan on www.wpr.org, see more information here.
