Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Appalachia
Perceived Water Safety and Elevated Liver Enzymes in Rural West Virginia: Links between Drinking Water, Beverage Habits, and Liver Health
Analyzes associations between perceived home tap water quality, liver enzyme levels, and other clinical indicators among 272 adults in rural West Virginia. Discusses how perceived environmental health and access to affordable filtration may influence health outcomes in rural, Appalachian areas.
Author(s): Joanna Bailey, Terezia Lilly, Adam D. Baus
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 26(1)
Date: 02/2026
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Analyzes associations between perceived home tap water quality, liver enzyme levels, and other clinical indicators among 272 adults in rural West Virginia. Discusses how perceived environmental health and access to affordable filtration may influence health outcomes in rural, Appalachian areas.
Author(s): Joanna Bailey, Terezia Lilly, Adam D. Baus
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 26(1)
Date: 02/2026
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Clinical and Demographic Characteristics of Participants in a Hepatitis C Treatment Trial in Rural Kentucky: How Policies Around Treatment Access May Impact Elimination Efforts in the United States
Examines characteristics and drug use patterns of the participants in the Kentucky Viral Hepatitis C Treatment (KeY Treat) trial, which focuses on improving access to direct acting antiviral (DAA) drugs to treat the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Discuses Medicaid policy related to DAA treatment of HCV in a rural, Appalachian community in Kentucky.
Author(s): Jennifer R. Havens, Brittney D. Williams, Takako Schaninger, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(1), e70128
Date: 02/2026
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Examines characteristics and drug use patterns of the participants in the Kentucky Viral Hepatitis C Treatment (KeY Treat) trial, which focuses on improving access to direct acting antiviral (DAA) drugs to treat the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Discuses Medicaid policy related to DAA treatment of HCV in a rural, Appalachian community in Kentucky.
Author(s): Jennifer R. Havens, Brittney D. Williams, Takako Schaninger, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(1), e70128
Date: 02/2026
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The Interaction of Tobacco Retailer Density and Rurality with Tobacco Use Prevalence in Kentucky
Explores the relationship between the prevalence tobacco retailers and rates of tobacco use in rural counties in Kentucky. Highlights rates of smoking and smokeless tobacco use by county retailer density.
Author(s): Shyanika W. Rose, W. Jay Christian, Judy van de Venne, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(1), e70106
Date: 01/2026
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Explores the relationship between the prevalence tobacco retailers and rates of tobacco use in rural counties in Kentucky. Highlights rates of smoking and smokeless tobacco use by county retailer density.
Author(s): Shyanika W. Rose, W. Jay Christian, Judy van de Venne, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(1), e70106
Date: 01/2026
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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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Leveraging Community Health Workers' Deep Community Knowledge to Address Food and Nutrition Security in Appalachia
Examines professional characteristics and knowledge of rural Appalachian community health workers in Kentucky and West Virginia, based on data from online surveys and phone interviews conducted from January to May 2019. Identifies culturally sensitive practices around food insecurity.
Author(s): Alexis Kimbro Scott, Melissa D. Olfert, Dawn Brewer, Makenzie Barr, Julie Plasencia
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 7(4), 89-99
Date: 12/2025
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Examines professional characteristics and knowledge of rural Appalachian community health workers in Kentucky and West Virginia, based on data from online surveys and phone interviews conducted from January to May 2019. Identifies culturally sensitive practices around food insecurity.
Author(s): Alexis Kimbro Scott, Melissa D. Olfert, Dawn Brewer, Makenzie Barr, Julie Plasencia
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 7(4), 89-99
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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