Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Appalachia
Food Insecurity in the Appalachian Region
Reports on food insecurity in Appalachia, comparing regional and national trends and identifying contributing factors. Discusses the impacts of food insecurity on health, and profiles initiatives contributing to food security. Appendix C provides tables comparing data, with breakdowns by level of rurality, on topics including childhood food insecurity, households receiving SNAP benefits, low food access, low income population, and more.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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Reports on food insecurity in Appalachia, comparing regional and national trends and identifying contributing factors. Discusses the impacts of food insecurity on health, and profiles initiatives contributing to food security. Appendix C provides tables comparing data, with breakdowns by level of rurality, on topics including childhood food insecurity, households receiving SNAP benefits, low food access, low income population, and more.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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Evaluation of Self-measured Blood Pressure Monitoring in a Southern Rural West Virginia Health System
Explores a study on the efficacy of a remote blood pressure monitoring intervention for rural adults in southern West Virginia. Breaks down data by participants' sex and location, among other measures.
Author(s): Andrya J. Durr, Craig H. Robinson, Robin A. Seabury, et al.
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 23(4), 8248
Date: 10/2023
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Explores a study on the efficacy of a remote blood pressure monitoring intervention for rural adults in southern West Virginia. Breaks down data by participants' sex and location, among other measures.
Author(s): Andrya J. Durr, Craig H. Robinson, Robin A. Seabury, et al.
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 23(4), 8248
Date: 10/2023
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Coal Production and Employment in Appalachia
Examines major trends in coal production and employment in Appalachia between 2000-2022 and assesses how those trends may affect economic performance in the region. Includes a section on health outcomes, with statistics comparing the mortality rate in Appalachian coal counties, Appalachian non-coal counties, and the rest of the United States, as well as the mortality rate in Appalachian coal region subregions.
Author(s): Eric Bowen, Christiadi, John Deskins, Brian Lego
Date: 08/2023
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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Examines major trends in coal production and employment in Appalachia between 2000-2022 and assesses how those trends may affect economic performance in the region. Includes a section on health outcomes, with statistics comparing the mortality rate in Appalachian coal counties, Appalachian non-coal counties, and the rest of the United States, as well as the mortality rate in Appalachian coal region subregions.
Author(s): Eric Bowen, Christiadi, John Deskins, Brian Lego
Date: 08/2023
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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A Road Map for Asset Based Investing in Central Appalachia
Report highlighting various wellbeing and community asset measures in the Appalachian region in the areas of economics, population health, infrastructure, housing, health facilities, and more. Discusses the associations between wellbeing and community assets as well as the implications for investment.
Date: 08/2023
Sponsoring organizations: Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky, Reinvestment Fund
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Report highlighting various wellbeing and community asset measures in the Appalachian region in the areas of economics, population health, infrastructure, housing, health facilities, and more. Discusses the associations between wellbeing and community assets as well as the implications for investment.
Date: 08/2023
Sponsoring organizations: Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky, Reinvestment Fund
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Association Between Insurer Connectivity in Appalachian Population Health Networks and Preventable Hospitalizations: Evidence from Kentucky
Examines insurer connectivity in community networks across regions in Kentucky, and the association between connectivity and the probability of experiencing a preventable hospitalization. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban, rural non-Appalachian, and Appalachian locations.
Author(s): Rachel Hogg-Graham, Kelsey R. Gatton, Rick Ingram, Glen P. Mays
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 5(2), 15-31
Date: 08/2023
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Examines insurer connectivity in community networks across regions in Kentucky, and the association between connectivity and the probability of experiencing a preventable hospitalization. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban, rural non-Appalachian, and Appalachian locations.
Author(s): Rachel Hogg-Graham, Kelsey R. Gatton, Rick Ingram, Glen P. Mays
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 5(2), 15-31
Date: 08/2023
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A Survey of Behaviors, Beliefs, and Perceptions of COVID-19 in Rural Appalachian Ohio
Presents behaviors, beliefs, and perceptions related to COVID-19 based on a survey administered in a rural Appalachian community. Analyzes 23 responses regarding demographic information and perceptions surrounding COVID-19.
Author(s): Sanjay K.A. Jinka, Jay P. Natarajan, Matthew Kubina, et al.
Citation: Ohio Journal of Public Health, 6(1)
Date: 08/2023
Sponsoring organization: Ohio Public Health Association
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Presents behaviors, beliefs, and perceptions related to COVID-19 based on a survey administered in a rural Appalachian community. Analyzes 23 responses regarding demographic information and perceptions surrounding COVID-19.
Author(s): Sanjay K.A. Jinka, Jay P. Natarajan, Matthew Kubina, et al.
Citation: Ohio Journal of Public Health, 6(1)
Date: 08/2023
Sponsoring organization: Ohio Public Health Association
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Lung and Colorectal Cancer Disparities in Appalachian Kentucky: Spatial Analysis on the Influence of Education and Literacy
Results of a study to explore educational attainment as a risk factor for increased colorectal and lung cancer incidence and mortality in Appalachian and non-Appalachian Kentucky counties. Features county-level maps with shadings indicating prevalence of these cancers and literacy and educational levels.
Author(s): Nicole M. Robertson, Todd Burus, Lauren Hudson, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(14), 6363
Date: 07/2023
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Results of a study to explore educational attainment as a risk factor for increased colorectal and lung cancer incidence and mortality in Appalachian and non-Appalachian Kentucky counties. Features county-level maps with shadings indicating prevalence of these cancers and literacy and educational levels.
Author(s): Nicole M. Robertson, Todd Burus, Lauren Hudson, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(14), 6363
Date: 07/2023
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Advancing Economic Development in Persistent-Poverty Communities
Examines census tracts to identify areas of "persistent poverty," defined as an area with at least a 20% poverty rate for at least 30 years. Discusses the distribution of the persistently poor population between rural and urban areas and highlights specific regions such as the Southeast, Tribal areas, and Appalachia. Outlines contributors to persistent poverty including workforce development, lack of infrastructure, race and ethnicity, economic conditions, and more. Presents 4 case studies, including 2 rural studies, to highlight overall themes and make recommendations for improving conditions in persistently poor locations. Interactive map provides information and data on persistent poverty counties.
Additional links: Executive Summary, Interactive Map
Author(s): August Benzow, Kenan Fikri, Joanne Kim, Daniel Newman
Date: 06/2023
Sponsoring organization: Economic Innovation Group
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Examines census tracts to identify areas of "persistent poverty," defined as an area with at least a 20% poverty rate for at least 30 years. Discusses the distribution of the persistently poor population between rural and urban areas and highlights specific regions such as the Southeast, Tribal areas, and Appalachia. Outlines contributors to persistent poverty including workforce development, lack of infrastructure, race and ethnicity, economic conditions, and more. Presents 4 case studies, including 2 rural studies, to highlight overall themes and make recommendations for improving conditions in persistently poor locations. Interactive map provides information and data on persistent poverty counties.
Additional links: Executive Summary, Interactive Map
Author(s): August Benzow, Kenan Fikri, Joanne Kim, Daniel Newman
Date: 06/2023
Sponsoring organization: Economic Innovation Group
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Video Brochures in a Mailed Fecal Immunochemical Test Outreach Program Provide Cancer Screening Information in a User-Friendly Format for Rural Appalachian Community Members
Presents a study on the efficacy of using a video brochure to provide colorectal cancer (CRC) screening information and instructions for a fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) sent out to rural patients in Appalachian Ohio. Explores the barriers to CRC screening, including the low rates of returning FITs, and discusses the effect the video brochure had on this process.
Author(s): Mira L. Katz, Abigail B. Shoben, Sabrina Newell, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health
Date: 06/2023
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Presents a study on the efficacy of using a video brochure to provide colorectal cancer (CRC) screening information and instructions for a fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) sent out to rural patients in Appalachian Ohio. Explores the barriers to CRC screening, including the low rates of returning FITs, and discusses the effect the video brochure had on this process.
Author(s): Mira L. Katz, Abigail B. Shoben, Sabrina Newell, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health
Date: 06/2023
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The Impacts of Opioid Addiction on the Rural Workforce
A recorded webinar that examines how the rural workforce has been impacted by opioid addiction. Discusses issues of healthcare access, poverty, mental health, and farmworker health, along with data on workforce impacts. Includes resources to support opioid recovery and examples of recovery efforts in specific regions, such as Appalachia.
Additional links: Executive Summary, Presentation, Transcript
Author(s): Kellie Kubena, Carol Wetuski, Lauren Wood, et al.
Date: 05/2023
Sponsoring organizations: Appalachian Regional Commission, First Tennessee Development District, Office of Workforce Investment (OWI), U.S. Department of Agriculture
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A recorded webinar that examines how the rural workforce has been impacted by opioid addiction. Discusses issues of healthcare access, poverty, mental health, and farmworker health, along with data on workforce impacts. Includes resources to support opioid recovery and examples of recovery efforts in specific regions, such as Appalachia.
Additional links: Executive Summary, Presentation, Transcript
Author(s): Kellie Kubena, Carol Wetuski, Lauren Wood, et al.
Date: 05/2023
Sponsoring organizations: Appalachian Regional Commission, First Tennessee Development District, Office of Workforce Investment (OWI), U.S. Department of Agriculture
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