OKLAHOMA CITY Katelyn Romm, PhD, a researcher at the TSET Health Promotion Research Center (HPRC), was recently awarded a oneyear $50,000 grant from the American Cancer Society (ACS). Romm is an expert in understanding socio-contextual factors related to tobacco, cannabis, and other substance use in adolescents and young adults.

Romm’s ACS grant will focus on identifying differences in the use of tobacco products (cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, hookah) among sexual minority-identifying young adults (SMYAs) residing in rural versus urban areas of Oklahoma. Dr. Romm believes this research will aid in addressing gaps in tobacco prevention and cessation efforts targeted toward SMYAs residing in Oklahoma and inform prevention and intervention efforts. Oklahoma is a priority state for tobacco control, prevention, and cessation efforts due to the high rates of tobacco use, the substantial portion of individuals residing in rural areas, and the minimal sexual minority policy protections at the state level. Oklahoma ranks 7th highest in US tobacco use rates and is ranked 10th in new lung cancer cases. SMYAs display disproportionately high tobacco use rates compared to their heterosexual peers, and are impacted disproportionately by tobacco-related cancers. In Oklahoma, over 138,000 individuals identify as a sexual minority.

The findings of this research will inform Dr. Romm’s future work to develop and test multilevel, and culturally relevant tobacco prevention and cessation efforts to reduce tobacco use among populations at disproportionate risk for use.

This research is primarily supported by Institutional Research Grant number 134128-IRG-19-142-01 from the American Cancer Society, with additional support from the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Grant R23-02.

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