Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Appalachia
Patient, Facility, and Community Determinants of Timely Follow up after Abnormal Screening Mammograms in Appalachia: A Multilevel Analysis
Examines the impact of community, patient, and facility characteristics on mammogram screening access, mammogram recall, and biopsy rates in 5 Appalachian states. Utilizes 2016-2018 Medicare claims data from breast imaging organizations to analyze characteristics of mammogram care, providing sociodemographic breakdowns and metro versus rural comparisons.
Author(s): Roger T. Anderson, Marianne M. Hillemeier, Jennifer A. Harvey, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(1), e70104
Date: 01/2026
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Examines the impact of community, patient, and facility characteristics on mammogram screening access, mammogram recall, and biopsy rates in 5 Appalachian states. Utilizes 2016-2018 Medicare claims data from breast imaging organizations to analyze characteristics of mammogram care, providing sociodemographic breakdowns and metro versus rural comparisons.
Author(s): Roger T. Anderson, Marianne M. Hillemeier, Jennifer A. Harvey, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(1), e70104
Date: 01/2026
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Associations Between Social Media Usage, Physical Activity, and Flourishing in Rural University Students
Results of a pilot study examining the correlation between social media usage, physical activity, and overall well-being and health among college students at a rural Appalachian university. Based on self-reported data collected from April-October 2024. .
Author(s): Anna Dysart, Minu Sara Thomas
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 7(4), 128-136
Date: 12/2025
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Results of a pilot study examining the correlation between social media usage, physical activity, and overall well-being and health among college students at a rural Appalachian university. Based on self-reported data collected from April-October 2024. .
Author(s): Anna Dysart, Minu Sara Thomas
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 7(4), 128-136
Date: 12/2025
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Impact of a Workshop on Rural Healthcare Delivery on Medical Student Attitudes
Results of a study evaluating the effect of an educational workshop on Appalachian West Virginia medical students' attitudes toward rural healthcare barriers. Explores whether targeted education can enhance students' interest in rural practice.
Author(s): Robert L. Snedegar, Ryan Hayes, Jun Xiang, et al.
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 7(4), 100-115
Date: 12/2025
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Results of a study evaluating the effect of an educational workshop on Appalachian West Virginia medical students' attitudes toward rural healthcare barriers. Explores whether targeted education can enhance students' interest in rural practice.
Author(s): Robert L. Snedegar, Ryan Hayes, Jun Xiang, et al.
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 7(4), 100-115
Date: 12/2025
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Geospatial Analysis of Breast Cancer Incidence, Mortality, and Access to Screening in Rural and Appalachian Virginia
Assesses differences in breast cancer rates and mortality between Appalachian and non-Appalachian counties, and rural and nonrural counties in Virginia. Also explores whether availability of mammography is associated with differences. Features county-level Virginia maps, and statistics with breakdowns by Virginia counties, rural counties, and nonrural counties.
Author(s): Jennifer Osher, Caleb Brown, Phillip Nichols, Tariq Ayubi, Jeremy Powers
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 7(4), 55-69
Date: 12/2025
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Assesses differences in breast cancer rates and mortality between Appalachian and non-Appalachian counties, and rural and nonrural counties in Virginia. Also explores whether availability of mammography is associated with differences. Features county-level Virginia maps, and statistics with breakdowns by Virginia counties, rural counties, and nonrural counties.
Author(s): Jennifer Osher, Caleb Brown, Phillip Nichols, Tariq Ayubi, Jeremy Powers
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 7(4), 55-69
Date: 12/2025
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Testing Oral Nicotine Pouches Versus Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Cigarette Harm Reduction in Appalachia: The ARISE Study Protocol
Study protocol for the Appalachian Research to Impact Smoking's Effects (ARISE) study, which will examine the provision of oral nicotine pouches versus nicotine replacement therapy among adult smokers living in rural Appalachian counties across 11 states.
Author(s): Amy Wermert, Theodore M. Brasky, Alison M. Newton, et al.
Citation: PLOS ONE, 20(12), e0338503
Date: 12/2025
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Study protocol for the Appalachian Research to Impact Smoking's Effects (ARISE) study, which will examine the provision of oral nicotine pouches versus nicotine replacement therapy among adult smokers living in rural Appalachian counties across 11 states.
Author(s): Amy Wermert, Theodore M. Brasky, Alison M. Newton, et al.
Citation: PLOS ONE, 20(12), e0338503
Date: 12/2025
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Appalachian Regional Commission Performance & Accountability Report: Fiscal Year 2025
Provides an overview of the Appalachian Regional Commission's (ARC) projects from 2025 that develop economy, promote education and healthy living, invest in infrastructure, strengthen natural and cultural heritage, and build capacity in the Appalachian region. Includes healthcare-focused discussions about substance use, healthcare grants, healthcare workforce, and more.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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Provides an overview of the Appalachian Regional Commission's (ARC) projects from 2025 that develop economy, promote education and healthy living, invest in infrastructure, strengthen natural and cultural heritage, and build capacity in the Appalachian region. Includes healthcare-focused discussions about substance use, healthcare grants, healthcare workforce, and more.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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High-Poverty Counties in Appalachia, 1960 and 2019-2023
Maps showing a comparison of high-poverty Appalachian counties in 1960 and 2019-2023.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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Maps showing a comparison of high-poverty Appalachian counties in 1960 and 2019-2023.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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"No Rest for Me Tonight": A Social-Ecological Exploration of Insomnia in Rural Appalachian Women
Examines individual, social, and societal factors associated with insomnia among rural, Appalachian women in Kentucky, analyzing and providing excerpts from interviews with 46 women with self-reported insomnia symptoms. Details the high impact of insomnia on women in rural Appalachia and identifies cultural factors influencing insomnia prevalence and treatment.
Author(s): Mairead E. Moloney, Daniela C. Moga, Michael Grandner, Nancy Schoenberg
Citation: Sleep Health, 11(5), 717-723
Date: 10/2025
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Examines individual, social, and societal factors associated with insomnia among rural, Appalachian women in Kentucky, analyzing and providing excerpts from interviews with 46 women with self-reported insomnia symptoms. Details the high impact of insomnia on women in rural Appalachia and identifies cultural factors influencing insomnia prevalence and treatment.
Author(s): Mairead E. Moloney, Daniela C. Moga, Michael Grandner, Nancy Schoenberg
Citation: Sleep Health, 11(5), 717-723
Date: 10/2025
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A Twenty-Year Review: Revisiting the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Funding Needs and Gaps in the Appalachian Region
Provides county, state, and metro versus nonmetro data on water and wastewater infrastructure in the Appalachian region. Discusses funding and collaborative possibilities to improve critical infrastructure in Appalachian communities.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Ahmed Rachid El-Khattabi, Christy M. Ihlo, Leigh Anne Krometis, Kara Millonzi
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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Provides county, state, and metro versus nonmetro data on water and wastewater infrastructure in the Appalachian region. Discusses funding and collaborative possibilities to improve critical infrastructure in Appalachian communities.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Ahmed Rachid El-Khattabi, Christy M. Ihlo, Leigh Anne Krometis, Kara Millonzi
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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Bridging Rural Communities: Telehealth Innovations for Appalachia and Beyond
Video series on innovative approaches to telehealth in rural Appalachia, hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Center (MATRC) on August 1, 2025. Features speakers on telehealth use in veterans' healthcare, substance use recovery, palliative care, mental health, healthy aging, emergency preparedness and response, cancer screening, and other topics related to healthcare access, quality of care, and healthcare economics. Transcripts are available via video descriptions.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center
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Video series on innovative approaches to telehealth in rural Appalachia, hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Center (MATRC) on August 1, 2025. Features speakers on telehealth use in veterans' healthcare, substance use recovery, palliative care, mental health, healthy aging, emergency preparedness and response, cancer screening, and other topics related to healthcare access, quality of care, and healthcare economics. Transcripts are available via video descriptions.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center
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