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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Appalachia

Ensuring Contact: Calling Rural Appalachian Older Adults During the COVID-19 Epidemic
Presents a study on the well-being and healthcare needs of socially isolated adults 75 years and older during the COVID-19 pandemic in rural West Virginia. Bases conclusions on telephone interviews with seniors from April 1-22, 2020. Breaks down data by demographic characteristics, mental and physical health conditions, and comfort with different forms of communication technology, among other factors.
Author(s): Robert B Walker, Michael Grome, William Rollyson, Adam D Baus
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 21(1), 6122
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
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Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation: Taking a Leadership Role and Building Trust
An interview with Kim Barber Tieman, program director for health and human services for the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, sharing how the foundation has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses efforts to help West Virginia organizations navigate and apply for federal funding opportunities, support for mobile COVID testing units to better reach communities of color, support for telehealth infrastructure, and a wide range of other activities to help meet the needs of the vulnerable and disenfranchised.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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COVID-19 and Rural Harm Reduction Challenges in the U.S. Southern Mountains
Explores the relationship between drug use and COVID-19 infections in the Southern Mountains region of Appalachia. Highlights the changes caused by COVID-19 and the challenges harm reduction programs face in providing services, such as syringe exchanges, naloxone access, and COVID-19-related services.
Author(s): Bayla Ostrach, Lesly-Marie Buer, Sam Armbruster, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 37(1), 252-255
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
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Cancer Curriculum for Appalachian Kentucky Middle and High School
Results of an online survey sent to 21 science and health teachers in Appalachian Kentucky, consisting of questions on existing cancer education efforts, relevance of cancer education, and feasibility of a curriculum of this type being used in the classroom.
Author(s): Lauren Hudson, Katherine Sharp, Chris Prichard, et al.
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 3(1), 43-55
Date: 2021
Type: Document
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Impact of the COVID-19 Shutdown on Mental Health in Appalachia by Working Status
Results of a study on issues faced by Appalachian residents during the COVID-19-related shutdown in the spring of 2020, including concerns about healthcare and finances, and the effect on mental health. Examines whether there were higher levels of anxiety, fear, and depression among those who continued working outside the home compared with those who began working remotely during the shutdown. Features demographics and statistics on chronic health conditions and types of concerns, with breakdowns by work categories.
Author(s): Erin N. Haynes, Timothy J. Hilbert, Susan C. Westneat, et al.
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 3(1), 18-28
Date: 2021
Type: Document
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A Description of COVID-19 Lifestyle Restrictions Among a Sample of Rural Appalachian Women
Findings from a survey given to 33 women who had previously participated in a larger survey involving substance use and behavioral risks. Features demographics and statistics on substance use, mental health, and types of activity restrictions related to COVID-19.
Author(s): Michele Staton, Martha Tillson, J. Matthew Webster
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 3(1), 4-17
Date: 2021
Type: Document
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"We're, Like, the Most Unhealthy People in the Country": Using an Equity Lens to Reduce Barriers to Healthy Food Access in Rural Appalachia
Examines barriers and facilitators for accessing healthy food in Martin County, Kentucky. Aims to develop socially-, culturally-, and historically-informed policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) interventions to reduce obesity in Appalachia and other areas.
Author(s): Kathryn Cardarelli, Emily DeWitt, Rachel Gillespie, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 17
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
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Opioids in Medicaid: Concerns About Opioid Use Among Beneficiaries in Six Appalachian States in 2018
Examines the rates of opioid use of Medicaid beneficiaries in 6 Appalachian states in 2018. Discusses the amount of the prescriptions issued, the amounts of opioids received, and the amount of providers with questionable prescribing practices, among other opioid-related measures.
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Buprenorphine Dispensing in an Epicenter of the U.S. Opioid Epidemic: A Case Study of the Rural Risk Environment in Appalachian Kentucky
Explores buprenorphine dispensing practices among pharmacists in rural, Appalachian Kentucky, highlighting issues related to buprenorphine dispensing hesitancy. Identifies themes from interviews with 14 pharmacists operating in 12 rural, Appalachian Kentucky counties and discusses dispensing risk environment. Reviews factors influencing hesitancy, including national and state-level drug policy, stigma, and continuing impacts of the opioid epidemic.
Author(s): Hannah LF Cooper, David H. Cloud, Patricia R. Freeman, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Drug Policy, 85, 102701
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
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Access in Appalachia Concept and Methodologies: Final Report
Provides an overview of the accessibility needs to goods and services - food, healthcare, broadband, education, as well as, customer, labor, and supplier markets - for the people and businesses of Appalachia. Looks at the current research on rural accessibility and economic development. Outlines methods for measuring accessibility, offers an analyses approach using accessibility metrics, and discusses other considerations in long range accessibility planning.
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Appalachian Regional Commission, EBP US, Inc.
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