The RURAL (Risk Underlying Rural Areas Longitudinal) Cohort Study is a 35 Million Dollar National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) funded longitudinal cohort study that aims to address critical gaps in scientific knowledge of heart and lung disorders in rural communities in the southeastern US by recruiting 4600 participants across KY, LA, MS and AL. This study was began recruiting participants in January of 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. With their mobile research vehicle, they are currently traveling to rural counties to examine factors leading to higher mortality in certain rural counties. This clinic on wheels features a state of the art CT Scanner, AI assisted echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, phlebotomy room, a spirometry station, laboratory for specimen processing and a restroom. The study will continue enrolling participants through late 2025.

• Website: theruralstudy.org/