CDC, ARC and UK Announce $1.5 Million Investment to Help Address Health Disparities in Eastern Kentucky

Press Release

A $1.5 million, five-year project to address cancer and other chronic diseases by promoting screening and prevention in the region was announced Tuesday in Hazard during the SOAR Health Impact Series.

Officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and University of Kentucky said the funding will be used to launch the Appalachian Cancer Patient Navigation Project. Patient navigators will serve as advocates for individuals and help connect them with the right services.

"Patient navigators can help Kentuckians get screened for cancer -- finding it early can save your life," said CDC Director Tom Freiden, M.D., M.P.H. "By training more patient navigators where they are most needed, this CDC grant can help people in Appalachian areas live longer, healthier, cancer-free lives."

Joining Dr. Frieden for the announcement were UK President Dr. Eli Capilouto; Dr. B. Mark Evers, director of the Markey Cancer Center at UK; Earl F. Gohl, federal co-chair of the ARC; and U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05).

Our Commonwealth is only strong if every community is strong," said Capilouto. "And every community will only be strong when every community is healthy."

"Better screening means early intervention and saved lives, and we can't overstate the importance of that," said Rogers.

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