The American Cancer Society/Ohio University John Ray Appalachian Initiative began in 2002 and has continued funding through 2008.

The partnership is intent on reducing and/or eliminating the health-care barriers in Appalachian Ohio communities, where levels of lung, colon and cervical cancer are markedly higher than the state average.

The partnership has been integrated into classes in the Scripps College of Communication, including public relations and multimedia courses in which students have designed publicity materials, conducted surveys and created an interactive DVD that will be used in doctors' offices throughout the region. The partnership has also expanded University-wide to include students, faculty and staff in the Colleges of Fine Arts, Health and Human Services and Osteopathic Medicine.

In 2006, the first annual research awards competition for graduate students pursuing research on the social, cultural, educational and economic or public policy context of cancer in Appalachia was announced. The ACS partnership is also proud to support the third phase of doctoral dissertation research within the School of Communication Studies on cultural differences and health-care interactions within Appalachia.

For more information on the partnership, please contact Marie Thompson at (740) 593-9860 or marie.a.thompson.1@ohio.edu.