Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Appalachia
Achieving Excellence in Cancer Diagnosis Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief
Highlights discussions from a virtual workshop focused on improving cancer diagnosis. Includes information on addressing disparities in diagnosis and access to care, including disparities for rural populations. Features a cancer screening and diagnosis program serving rural Appalachia, describing the challenges faced and strategies used, including the use of a mobile screening unit.
Author(s): Board on Health Care Services
Date: 2022
Sponsoring organization: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Highlights discussions from a virtual workshop focused on improving cancer diagnosis. Includes information on addressing disparities in diagnosis and access to care, including disparities for rural populations. Features a cancer screening and diagnosis program serving rural Appalachia, describing the challenges faced and strategies used, including the use of a mobile screening unit.
Author(s): Board on Health Care Services
Date: 2022
Sponsoring organization: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Through the Lens: Youth Experiences with Cancer in Rural Appalachian Kentucky Using Photovoice
Study examining a group of Appalachian Kentucky youth's recognition of cancer disparities in their communities through photography. Analyzes visual themes in participant submissions, including risk factors related to cancer-causing substances, products, or diets, community awareness and support, and healthcare, among other themes.
Author(s): Katie Gaines, Courtney Martin, Chris Prichard, Nathan L. Vanderford
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(1), 205
Date: 12/2021
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Study examining a group of Appalachian Kentucky youth's recognition of cancer disparities in their communities through photography. Analyzes visual themes in participant submissions, including risk factors related to cancer-causing substances, products, or diets, community awareness and support, and healthcare, among other themes.
Author(s): Katie Gaines, Courtney Martin, Chris Prichard, Nathan L. Vanderford
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(1), 205
Date: 12/2021
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Policy Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Insecurity in Rural America: Evidence from Appalachia
Study examining food access during the COVID-19 pandemic in a rural Appalachian community in Kentucky, based on qualitative data from 5 focus groups. Discusses food scarcity, supply chain disruptions, federal food assistance, community food resources, and home gardening, and highlights policy implications related to federal programs and social determinants of health.
Author(s): Kathryn M. Cardarelli, Emily DeWitt, Rachel Gillespie, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(23), 12792
Date: 12/2021
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Study examining food access during the COVID-19 pandemic in a rural Appalachian community in Kentucky, based on qualitative data from 5 focus groups. Discusses food scarcity, supply chain disruptions, federal food assistance, community food resources, and home gardening, and highlights policy implications related to federal programs and social determinants of health.
Author(s): Kathryn M. Cardarelli, Emily DeWitt, Rachel Gillespie, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(23), 12792
Date: 12/2021
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Sociodemographic and Geographic Disparities of Prostate Cancer Treatment Delay in Tennessee: A Population-Based Study
Examines 2005-2015 Tennessee Cancer Registry data of adults with prostate cancer to determine the relationship between population characteristics and prostate cancer treatment delay. Discusses geographic residence, insurance status, and social determinants of health (SDOH) such as race, marital status, and others. An urban versus rural breakdown is included.
Author(s): Francisco A. Montiel Ishino, Emmanuel A. Odame, Kevin Villalobos, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Men's Health, 15(6)
Date: 11/2021
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Examines 2005-2015 Tennessee Cancer Registry data of adults with prostate cancer to determine the relationship between population characteristics and prostate cancer treatment delay. Discusses geographic residence, insurance status, and social determinants of health (SDOH) such as race, marital status, and others. An urban versus rural breakdown is included.
Author(s): Francisco A. Montiel Ishino, Emmanuel A. Odame, Kevin Villalobos, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Men's Health, 15(6)
Date: 11/2021
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Losses, Gains, and Changes to the Food Environment in a Rural Kentucky County during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Results of a study conducted in rural Laurel County, Kentucky, regarding changes to the food environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Offers suggestions for future programming to address inequitable access and response during public health emergencies.
Author(s): Makenzie L. Barr, Courtney Martin, Courtney Luecking, Kathryn Cardarelli
Citation: Nutrients, 13(11), 3929
Date: 11/2021
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Results of a study conducted in rural Laurel County, Kentucky, regarding changes to the food environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Offers suggestions for future programming to address inequitable access and response during public health emergencies.
Author(s): Makenzie L. Barr, Courtney Martin, Courtney Luecking, Kathryn Cardarelli
Citation: Nutrients, 13(11), 3929
Date: 11/2021
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ICU Mortality in Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection: Highlighting Healthcare Disparities in Rural Appalachia
Study examining 30-day COVID-19 mortality among ICU patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome transferred from rural Appalachian hospitals to West Virginia University Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia between September 30, 2020 and December 1, 2020. Examines baseline patient demographics, comorbidities, and clinical outcomes, comparing patients transferred from Critical Access Hospitals and other rural facilities to non-COVID-19 ICU patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Author(s): Sunil Sharma, Varun Badami, Edward Rojas, et al.
Citation: Critical Care Explorations, 3(10), e547
Date: 10/2021
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Study examining 30-day COVID-19 mortality among ICU patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome transferred from rural Appalachian hospitals to West Virginia University Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia between September 30, 2020 and December 1, 2020. Examines baseline patient demographics, comorbidities, and clinical outcomes, comparing patients transferred from Critical Access Hospitals and other rural facilities to non-COVID-19 ICU patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Author(s): Sunil Sharma, Varun Badami, Edward Rojas, et al.
Citation: Critical Care Explorations, 3(10), e547
Date: 10/2021
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Low Health Literacy Is Associated With Energy-Balance-Related Behaviors, Quality of Life, and BMI Among Rural Appalachian Middle School Students: A Cross-Sectional Study
Results of a study of 854 7th-grade students in rural Appalachian Virginia, exploring relationships between health literacy and energy-balance-related health behaviors, body mass index (BMI), and quality of life. Features demographics and statistics on health-promoting and risky health behaviors, and self-rated health status.
Author(s): Annie L. Reid, Kathleen J. Porter, Wen You, et al.
Citation: Journal of School Health, 91(8), 608-616
Date: 08/2021
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Results of a study of 854 7th-grade students in rural Appalachian Virginia, exploring relationships between health literacy and energy-balance-related health behaviors, body mass index (BMI), and quality of life. Features demographics and statistics on health-promoting and risky health behaviors, and self-rated health status.
Author(s): Annie L. Reid, Kathleen J. Porter, Wen You, et al.
Citation: Journal of School Health, 91(8), 608-616
Date: 08/2021
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Epidemiology of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Virginia: Excellent Survival Outcomes for Patients in Rural Appalachia
Results of a study comparing the molecular characteristics of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in rural and urban Virginia. Also evaluates the effect of geography and socioeconomic factors on the biology, treatment, and survival rate of AML patients. Features demographics with breakdowns by urban or rural location and a county-level map showing frequency of patients, with shadings indicating urban or rural area.
Author(s): Krista M. Isaac, Daniel R. Reed, Raj Piyush Desai, et al.
Citation: Cancer Reports (Hoboken), 4(4), e1354
Date: 08/2021
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Results of a study comparing the molecular characteristics of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in rural and urban Virginia. Also evaluates the effect of geography and socioeconomic factors on the biology, treatment, and survival rate of AML patients. Features demographics with breakdowns by urban or rural location and a county-level map showing frequency of patients, with shadings indicating urban or rural area.
Author(s): Krista M. Isaac, Daniel R. Reed, Raj Piyush Desai, et al.
Citation: Cancer Reports (Hoboken), 4(4), e1354
Date: 08/2021
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Caregiver Feeding Practices as Predictors for Child Dietary Intake in Low-Income, Appalachian Communities
Results of a study of feeding practices of 178 caregivers of children ages 2-10 from low-income, rural communities in East Tennessee, conducted from November 2017 to June 2018. Features demographics and statistics on caregiver and child dietary intake.
Author(s): Mikaela B. McIver, Sarah Colby, Melissa Hansen-Petrik, Elizabeth T. Anderson Steeves
Citation: Nutrients, 13(8), 2773.
Date: 08/2021
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Results of a study of feeding practices of 178 caregivers of children ages 2-10 from low-income, rural communities in East Tennessee, conducted from November 2017 to June 2018. Features demographics and statistics on caregiver and child dietary intake.
Author(s): Mikaela B. McIver, Sarah Colby, Melissa Hansen-Petrik, Elizabeth T. Anderson Steeves
Citation: Nutrients, 13(8), 2773.
Date: 08/2021
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Rural Poverty Has Distinct Regional and Racial Patterns
Describes the findings of a study of persistent poverty, examining the prevalence of poverty in Appalachia, the Black Belt, the Mississippi Delta, the U.S.-Mexico border, and on Native American lands. Discusses the impacts of persistent poverty on access to healthcare, food access, social programs, and other support services.
Author(s): Tracey Farrigan
Citation: Amber Waves
Date: 08/2021
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Describes the findings of a study of persistent poverty, examining the prevalence of poverty in Appalachia, the Black Belt, the Mississippi Delta, the U.S.-Mexico border, and on Native American lands. Discusses the impacts of persistent poverty on access to healthcare, food access, social programs, and other support services.
Author(s): Tracey Farrigan
Citation: Amber Waves
Date: 08/2021
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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