Rural Health Project Reaches New FRONTIER
What does it mean to age in a rural community? Are rural residents at increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes? If so, what drives these disparities, and what can be done to stem their incidence?
These are the questions that drive the daily work of Project FRONTIER at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health.
Project FRONTIER (Facing Rural Obstacles to Health Care Now Through Intervention, Education and Research) was initiated in Parmer County in 2009 to address characteristics that bring increased risk to unfavorable health outcomes in rural areas. The study currently involves close to 900 participants from Bailey, Parmer and Cochran counties.
Participants receive free medical examinations including clinical blood work, are asked questions about their medical histories and undergo memory and thinking tests. Although most Project FRONTIER participants have given their consent to be re-contacted to continue this important research.
Total participation time is two to three hours and individuals receive $50 for taking part in the study. To be eligible, individuals must be 40 years of age or older and live in one of the participating counties. For more information about Project FRONTIER or to participate in the study, contact Cathy Hudson, project coordinator, at (806) 743-5601.
Project FRONTIER began in 2006 as the Cochran County Aging Study with the primary focus on the interaction between cardiovascular risk factors and the development of cognitive dysfunction, particularly Alzheimer’s disease.
The F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health is a multidisciplinary group with four key programs: the West Texas Area Health Education Center, Rural Health Research, the West Texas Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center and Telemedicine. These programs integrate services to bring innovative solutions to health-related challenges in West Texas.
For more breaking news and experts, follow @ttuhscnews on Twitter.
Related Stories
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Rural Adolescents
Leigh Ann Reel, Au.D., Ph.D., CCC-A, discussed the causes and prevention strategies for noise-induced hearing loss, particularly for adolescents in rural areas.
Willed Body Memorial Service Honors Those Who Donated
On Memorial Day each May, a service is conducted at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Institute of Anatomical Sciences to pay respect to the Willed Body Program donors and their families.
Molecular Pathology Preceptorship: Unmatched Value and Experience
Ericka Hendrix, PhD, MB(ASCP)CM, Program Director and Associate Professor in the Master of Science in Molecular Pathology program in the School of Health Professions spoke about the program’s preceptorship.
Recent Stories
From Backpacks to White Coats: TTUHSC School of Medicine Invests in Tomorrow’s Healers Today
As part of its partnership with JAMP, the TTUHSC School of Medicine Admissions Office recently partnered with Alderson Elementary School in the Lubbock Independent School District to provide critical school supplies.
TTUHSC School of Medicine Resident Making an Impact as Published Researcher
During the current fiscal year, Pojsakorn Danpanichkul, M.D., has contributed to 19 papers in high-impact journals, including nine on which he served as first author.
Legislative Support Strengthens Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center’s Efforts to Improve Rural Cancer Care
Support for TTUHSC continued in the 89th legislative session, including $25 million to establish the Rural Cancer Collaborative.