News

“Although the pandemic changed our plans for an in-person celebration, we are looking forward to spotlighting the initiatives that are moving our mission forward, as well as honoring the individuals who had the vision to establish the center and help lay our foundations.”

Anyone over the age of 18 is invited to complete a short survey from Wellness, Health, & You (WHY), an ongoing research project that seeks to understand how different life experiences affect wellbeing and health.

Wasp dope is a crystalline substance created by electrifying pyrethroid-containing substances – such as wasp sprays – that may give users a methamphetamine-like “rush.” Recent reports have highlighted the emergence of this new drug as an issue of concern, research into the substance is so far lacking.

The National Institutes of Health/National Heart Lung and Blood Institute recently awarded a five-year $3.8 million grant to the University of Kentucky to begin a new study aimed at improving diet and activity among rural Appalachian Kentuckians. 

The RUHRC was established in 2016, with an initial HRSA funding award of $2.8 million. Since then, the Center has produced 22 research products, including policy briefs and peer-reviewed publications, as well as more than a dozen related publications.

To help producers and their families better deal with stressful events, researchers in the UK’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and College of Nursing have joined other scientists from across the South to develop resources to help producers combat stress.

Mudd-Martin is testing the effectiveness of two interventions aimed at encouraging healthy behaviors such as physical activity, healthy eating and smoking cessation for the populations of rural areas of Bourbon, Rowan, Nicholas and other nearby counties.

The Prichard Committee Student Voice Team, in consultation with UK faculty members, set out to gauge how disruptions caused by the pandemic were impacting students’ academic motivation and learning, as well as their physical, social and emotional health.

“It’s difficult for people who use drugs to be open about [their drug use] because of the stigma it carries and the potential of criminal justice involvement,” Young said. “We tried to create a welcoming environment in our field office, and we put ourselves out there.”

College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Dean Nancy Cox will take on the new position of vice president for land-grant engagement in addition to her role in academic leadership.