The University of Kentucky has formalized an agreement to take on an increasing role in the SOAR, or Shaping Our Appalachian Region Initiative.
The 3 year, more than $300,000 presenting sponsor deal announced Tuesday solidifies the university’s place as both a financial contributor and a health advisor in helping with the various challenges Eastern Kentuckians face as a result of a diminishing coal-based economy. UK President Eli Capilouto says SOAR involvement is in keeping with the school’s land grant mission.
"If you're going to change these numbers, it is going to take our hands on thousands of different levers, to change socio-economic status, educational status, the quality of housing, health, a whole myriad of factors," Capilouto told WUKY.
Currently, UK has some 125 individual research projects in Appalachia revolving around the five largest causes of preventable deaths: cancer, heart disease, pulmonary disease, stroke and unintentional deaths such as accidents and drugs.
