Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Appalachia
Machine Learning to Evaluate the Effects of Non-Clinical Social Determinant Features in Predicting Colorectal Cancer Mortality in a Medically Underserved Appalachian Population
Examines colorectal cancer (CRC) survival rates in rural Appalachia and the related impact of demographic, clinical, and social determinant of health (SDOH) factors. Utilizes machine learning (ML) models to analyze data from Appalachian cancer centers and examines what factors contribute most to CRC survival in Appalachia. Discusses the impact of including SDOH in ML prediction models and implications for further CRC research.
Author(s): Aisha Montgomery, Ravi Vadapalli, Frank A. Dinenno, et al.
Citation: Scientific Reports, 15, 25781
Date: 07/2025
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Examines colorectal cancer (CRC) survival rates in rural Appalachia and the related impact of demographic, clinical, and social determinant of health (SDOH) factors. Utilizes machine learning (ML) models to analyze data from Appalachian cancer centers and examines what factors contribute most to CRC survival in Appalachia. Discusses the impact of including SDOH in ML prediction models and implications for further CRC research.
Author(s): Aisha Montgomery, Ravi Vadapalli, Frank A. Dinenno, et al.
Citation: Scientific Reports, 15, 25781
Date: 07/2025
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Using Implementation Strategies to Promote the Maintenance Of Kids SIPsmartER In Rural Appalachian Middle Schools: A Process Evaluation
Examines implementation data from the Kids SIPsmartER nutrition behavioral intervention, which was implemented in 12 rural Appalachian middle schools. Utilizes data from 24 teachers and 11 principals to examine intervention fidelity, delivery, perceptions, and student impact. Discusses the importance of implementation evaluation and the scalability of evidence-based behavioral interventions (EBBIs) in schools.
Author(s): Kathleen J. Porter, Annie L. Reid, Theresa Markwalter, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 25, 2324
Date: 07/2025
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Examines implementation data from the Kids SIPsmartER nutrition behavioral intervention, which was implemented in 12 rural Appalachian middle schools. Utilizes data from 24 teachers and 11 principals to examine intervention fidelity, delivery, perceptions, and student impact. Discusses the importance of implementation evaluation and the scalability of evidence-based behavioral interventions (EBBIs) in schools.
Author(s): Kathleen J. Porter, Annie L. Reid, Theresa Markwalter, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 25, 2324
Date: 07/2025
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Worker Displacement in Appalachia: Using Detailed Industry and Firm Data to Link the Displaced Worker Supplement to Appalachia
Examines worker displacement and its impact in the Appalachian region of the United States. Includes a literature review as well as demographic, employment, and county-level characteristics and experiences of displaced workers. Provides comparisons of metro versus nonmetro areas and discusses health and well-being impacts of displacement.
Author(s): Erin Kenney, Teresa M. Lynch
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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Examines worker displacement and its impact in the Appalachian region of the United States. Includes a literature review as well as demographic, employment, and county-level characteristics and experiences of displaced workers. Provides comparisons of metro versus nonmetro areas and discusses health and well-being impacts of displacement.
Author(s): Erin Kenney, Teresa M. Lynch
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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The Appalachian Region: A Data Overview from the 2019-2023 American Community Survey Chartbook
State- and county-level information on population, age, household characteristics, housing occupancy, education, labor force, employment, transportation, income, health insurance coverage, disability, and veteran status, for the 13 Appalachian states. Features statistics with breakdowns by 5 levels of population density. Includes data explorer options for Appalachian categories such as population and age, education, income and poverty, computer and broadband access, rural Appalachia versus rural America, and employment and commuting.
Additional links: Full Report
Author(s): Sara Srygley, Nurfadila Khairunnisa, Diana Elliott
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Appalachian Regional Commission, Population Reference Bureau
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State- and county-level information on population, age, household characteristics, housing occupancy, education, labor force, employment, transportation, income, health insurance coverage, disability, and veteran status, for the 13 Appalachian states. Features statistics with breakdowns by 5 levels of population density. Includes data explorer options for Appalachian categories such as population and age, education, income and poverty, computer and broadband access, rural Appalachia versus rural America, and employment and commuting.
Additional links: Full Report
Author(s): Sara Srygley, Nurfadila Khairunnisa, Diana Elliott
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Appalachian Regional Commission, Population Reference Bureau
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Natural Disasters and Resiliency in Central Appalachia
Discusses issues such as natural disasters, flooding, resource extraction, infrastructure, housing stock, and more in central and rural Appalachia. Focuses on investment and strategies to improve resilience.
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: Housing Assistance Council
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Discusses issues such as natural disasters, flooding, resource extraction, infrastructure, housing stock, and more in central and rural Appalachia. Focuses on investment and strategies to improve resilience.
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: Housing Assistance Council
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An Exploratory Study to Understand How Rurality Status and Demographic Characteristics Are Associated With Enrollment, Engagement, and Retention in a Digital Health Intervention Targeting the Appalachian Region
Explores how rural status is associated with enrollment, retention, and engagement in a digital health intervention aimed at reducing sugar-sweetened beverages in Appalachia. Breaks down data by rurality, sex, income, and education, among other measures.
Author(s): Donna‐Jean P. Brock, Lee M. Ritterband, Wen You, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2), e70042
Date: 06/2025
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Explores how rural status is associated with enrollment, retention, and engagement in a digital health intervention aimed at reducing sugar-sweetened beverages in Appalachia. Breaks down data by rurality, sex, income, and education, among other measures.
Author(s): Donna‐Jean P. Brock, Lee M. Ritterband, Wen You, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2), e70042
Date: 06/2025
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Maintenance of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Behaviors Among Adolescents and Their Caregivers: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
Examines intake of sugar-sweetened beverages among rural, Central Appalachian students and their caregivers at 19 months after their participation in the Kids SIPsmartER behavior-change intervention, which focused on reducing intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) via classroom-based lessons for middle school students and an SMS strategy for their caregivers.
Author(s): Annie Reid, Wen You, Theresa Markwalter, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22, 240520
Date: 06/2025
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Examines intake of sugar-sweetened beverages among rural, Central Appalachian students and their caregivers at 19 months after their participation in the Kids SIPsmartER behavior-change intervention, which focused on reducing intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) via classroom-based lessons for middle school students and an SMS strategy for their caregivers.
Author(s): Annie Reid, Wen You, Theresa Markwalter, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22, 240520
Date: 06/2025
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County Economic Status in Appalachia, FY 2026
Shows levels of economic distress in Appalachian counties based on unemployment rates, income, and poverty levels. Includes interactive map, downloadable maps and data files, and data report.
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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Shows levels of economic distress in Appalachian counties based on unemployment rates, income, and poverty levels. Includes interactive map, downloadable maps and data files, and data report.
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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Discreet but Accessible: A Qualitative Study with People Who Use Drugs and Service Staff about the Optimal Design of a Harm Reduction Vending Machine in Rural Kentucky
Analyzes perspectives on harm reduction vending machine (HRVM) access and suitability via interviews with people who use drugs as well as health department and syringe service program (SSP) staff in rural Appalachian Kentucky. Discusses factors influencing the usefulness of HRVMs and their ability to address public health needs such as infectious disease prevention, overdose reduction, and other community benefits.
Author(s): Rachel M. Marschke, April M. Young, Hannah K. Knudsen, Chelsi N. Cheatom, Hannah L. F. Cooper
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 22, 88
Date: 05/2025
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Analyzes perspectives on harm reduction vending machine (HRVM) access and suitability via interviews with people who use drugs as well as health department and syringe service program (SSP) staff in rural Appalachian Kentucky. Discusses factors influencing the usefulness of HRVMs and their ability to address public health needs such as infectious disease prevention, overdose reduction, and other community benefits.
Author(s): Rachel M. Marschke, April M. Young, Hannah K. Knudsen, Chelsi N. Cheatom, Hannah L. F. Cooper
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 22, 88
Date: 05/2025
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Identifying Risk Factors for Adverse Lung Health Outcomes among Rural Appalachian Women
Examines risk factors related to lung function in Appalachian women. Utilizes 2015-2017 patient data from 2 Kentucky counties to analyze normal, restrictive, or obstructive lung function, with further data breakdowns according to demographic/social, behavioral, and health characteristics.
Author(s): Jessica R. Thompson, Courtney J. Walker, John C. Flunker, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 05/2025
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Examines risk factors related to lung function in Appalachian women. Utilizes 2015-2017 patient data from 2 Kentucky counties to analyze normal, restrictive, or obstructive lung function, with further data breakdowns according to demographic/social, behavioral, and health characteristics.
Author(s): Jessica R. Thompson, Courtney J. Walker, John C. Flunker, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 05/2025
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