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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by State: West Virginia

Housing for Rural Residents Recovering from Substance Use Disorders
Presents a study featuring a number of programs providing housing for substance use disorder (SUD) recovery in rural communities. Discusses three different case studies on programs in MN, OR, and WV. Highlights the community need, organizational structure, and key features of each program.
Author(s): Katie Rydberg, Ingrid Jacobson, Mariana Tuttle, et al.
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Health Wanted: Finding Care in Rural America
Series of videos highlighting challenges with access to quality healthcare for rural Americans. Discusses healthcare access in remote locations, food insecurity and farming practices, transportation, wellness initiatives, and chronic health conditions in 5 states. Transcript available in video description.
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: American Heart Association
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Maternal Age and Inadequate Prenatal Care in West Virginia: A Project WATCH Study
Results of a study to determine the potential association between maternal age and inadequate prenatal care, based on data collected in rural Appalachian West Virginia between May 2018 and March 2022, through a state-mandated surveillance tool. Features demographics and statistics with breakdowns by maternal age group, education, substance use, payment type, and geographic region.
Author(s): Madelin Gardner, Amna Umer, Brian Hendricks, et al.
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(1/2), 21–37
Date: 04/2024
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The Influence of Transformations in Supply on Methamphetamine Initiation Among People Injecting Opioids in the United States
Discusses the co-use of methamphetamine (MA) and opioids (pharmaceutical pills, heroin and fentanyls) through interview and observation of 30 individuals in West Virginia. Explores drug initiation and supply as well as evolving cultural beliefs and taboos of drug use, including those related to rural spaces in West Virginia.
Author(s): Sarah Mars, Jeff Ondocsin, Nicole Holm, Daniel Ciccarone
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 21, 57
Date: 03/2024
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Factors Associated With Myocardial Infarction in a Rural Population With Peripheral Arterial Diseases
Examines the association between sociodemographic and clinical risk factors and myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with peripheral arterial diseases (PAD) in Central Appalachia. Uses data from 5,574 patients in 230 counties across Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Features statistics on characteristics of patients with PAD based on presence or absence of MI.
Author(s): Adeola O. Awujoola, Moboni T. Mokikan, Olufeyisayo O. Odebunmi, et al.
Citation: Angiology, 0(0)
Date: 02/2024
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West Virginia Office of Drug Control Policy, 2024 Priorities and Implementation Plan
Outlines West Virginia's plan to prevent and treat substance use disorder throughout the state. Details goals for prevention, treatment, research, education, law enforcement, pregnant and parenting women, and the criminal justice system, pertaining to substance use disorder. Also discusses infectious diseases, such as hepatitis and HIV, resulting from substance abuse and misuse.
Date: 01/2024
Sponsoring organization: West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
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Evaluating the Connection Between Rural Travel Time and Health: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Older Adults Living in the Northeast United States
Presents a study that explores the travel time to receive healthcare, use of preventive care, and overall health outcomes for rural adults over 50 in the Northeastern U.S. Bases findings on a survey rural adults living in 7 states in the Northeast and breaks down data by race, age, and household income, among other measures.
Author(s): Madison Hearn, Casey Pinto, Jennifer L. Moss
Citation: Journal of Primary Care and Community Health, 15, 21501319241266114
Date: 01/2024
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Community-Engaged Transdisciplinary Approaches to Cervical Cancer Prevention in Appalachia
Provides an overview of the Take CARE (Clinical Avenues to Reach Health Equity) program to reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality in Appalachian Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. Describes implementation of Take CARE's human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, smoking cessation, and cervical cancer screening initiatives.
Author(s): Electra D. Paskett
Date: 01/2024
Sponsoring organization: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
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Educational Intervention to Increase COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in Rural Patients with Chronic Diseases: Lessons Learned from An Innovative Academic–Community Partnership
Results of a study using an educational intervention to increase vaccine knowledge and vaccine acceptance in rural patients with chronic diseases in West Virginia. Uses data from an academic–community partnership comprising researchers, practitioners, community organizations, community-engaged partners, and patient stakeholders.
Author(s): Ranjita Misra, Brenna Kirk, Samantha Shawley-Brzoska, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(1), 71
Date: 01/2024
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Changes in Perceptions of First Responders after Witnessing a Drug Overdose: Individual and Contextual Variations among People Who Use Opioids in West Virginia
Evaluates changes in attitude toward first responders among people who witnessed an overdose and stayed until first responders arrived. Utilizes interview data from 50 nonmedical users of prescription opioids from 3 rural Appalachian West Virginia counties. Identifies personal and contextual factors associated with changed perceptions of first responders.
Author(s): Kathleen L. Egan, Kelly Gurka, Alexandria Macmadu, Herb Linn
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 5(3), 22-37
Date: 12/2023
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