University of Wisconsin Received $11.1 Million Grant
The funding supports new tobacco cessation programs for patients at community health clinics across Wisconsin.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Asthma
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The University of Wisconsin Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention has secured an $11.1 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to lower smoking rates in low-income populations. The initiative will partner with eight community health centers in Wisconsin and eight in Massachusetts to improve tobacco cessation treatments.
Why it matters
The project addresses a significant health disparity, as patients at community health centers smoke at a rate of 22 percent compared to 10 percent in the general U.S. population. By treating smoking as a chronic condition requiring long-term care, researchers hope to improve outcomes for a highly affected group.
The National Cancer Institute awarded an $11.1 million grant for a five-year study across 16 community health centers. The research aims to develop and sustain evidence-based smoking cessation models for low-income patients.
The players
University of Wisconsin Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention
An academic institution focused on investigating and developing methods to address tobacco addiction.
National Cancer Institute
A federal agency that supports cancer research and provides funding for public health initiatives.
The details
The program centers on treating tobacco use as a chronic medical condition rather than an acute lifestyle choice. Clinical teams will implement a structured approach that integrates both medications and counseling as standard care. By embedding these systems directly into community health settings, the research team intends to improve the reach and sustainment of tobacco dependence treatments for vulnerable populations.
Timeline
The research initiative is scheduled to run as a five-year project.
Health Landscape
This project aligns with the National Cancer Institute's broader research portfolio aimed at reducing smoking prevalence through clinical intervention. It marks a shift toward treating tobacco dependence as a chronic, long-term condition within the primary care landscape.
If you use tobacco and receive care at a community health clinic, discuss smoking cessation options with your provider during your next visit. This initiative aims to make evidence-based counseling and medication more accessible for patients managed in these settings.
The takeaway
Smoking is often treated as a chronic condition that benefits from a consistent care plan involving both medication and counseling. Speak with your physician about the current resources available to support your cessation goals based on your specific health history.
Further reading
Learn more about local respiratory health efforts in our Asthma section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Urban Milwaukee.
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