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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Appalachia

Rates of Obesity and Obesogenic Behaviors of Rural Appalachian Adolescents: How Do They Compare to Other Adolescents or Recommendations?
Evaluates data from a sample of Appalachian adolescents in Ohio to compare obesity and related behaviors to that of the national adolescent population. Includes comparisons for body mass index (BMI), mean body fat percentage, daily physical activity behaviors, and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption.
Author(s): Laureen H. Smith, Devin Laurent, Erica Baumker, Rick L. Petosa
Citation: Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 15(11), 874-881
Date: 11/2018
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Qualitative Case Study of Needle Exchange Programs in the Central Appalachian Region of the United States
Reports on a qualitative study in West Virginia to address barriers and identify supports that may impact the development of needle exchange programs (NEPs) in rural areas of the U.S. Interviews were conducted in West Virginia with program directors, police chiefs, law enforcement members, and people who inject drugs to obtain information on program implementation and operations, and future growth of NEPs.
Author(s): Stephen M. Davis, Danielle Davidov, Alfgeir L. Kristjansson, Keith Zullig, Adam Baus, et al.
Citation: PLoS One, 13(10)
Date: 10/2018
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The Ruralness of Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence: Prevalence, Provider Knowledge Gaps, and Healthcare Costs
Examines rural domestic violence and intimate partner violence. Addresses prevalence rates, provider knowledge gaps, and associated healthcare costs.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Life in Rural America
Summarizes the results of a survey of rural adults living in the U.S. Includes survey response data and statistics on a variety of topics such as: drug addiction or abuse and opioids; the economy; health conditions; suicide; and more.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organizations: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, NPR, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
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Characteristics of Prescription Opioid-Impaired and Other Substance-Impaired Drivers in Rural Appalachian Kentucky
Study examining characteristics and behaviors of prescription opioid-impaired drivers in the rural Appalachian region of Kentucky, Makes comparisons with other substance-impaired drivers using data from research interviews with 118 study participants who had been convicted of a DUI in the same county where they lived. Discusses prevalence of substance use, frequency of impaired driving, criminal activity, and mental health for prescription opioid-impaired, other drug-impaired, and alcohol only-impaired drivers.
Author(s): J. Matthew Webster, Megan F. Dickson, Faiyad Mannan, Michele Staton
Citation: Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 59(5), 373-381
Date: 09/2018
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Opioid Prescribing Rates by Congressional Districts, United States, 2016
Details a study on opioid prescribing rates by U.S. congressional districts. Compares congressional district rates with state-level rates and highlights rates among in rural areas, specific regions, and by other variables.
Author(s): Lyndsey A. Rolheiser, Jack Cordes, S.V. Subramanian
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 108(9), 1214–1219
Date: 09/2018
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National Food Affordability: A County-Level Analysis
Explores sociodemographic factors contributing to food affordability, with emphasis on differences between rural and urban areas. Features statistics on select food-related characteristics of U.S. counties, with breakdowns by rural or urban location and by Appalachian or Delta counties and other counties.
Author(s): Anne Cafer, Georgianna Mann, Sujith Ramachandran, Michelle Kaiser
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 15
Date: 09/2018
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Assessing Effectiveness and Cost-Benefit of the Trinity Hospital Twin City Fit for Life Program for Weight Loss and Diabetes Prevention in a Rural Midwestern Town
Reports on Fit For Life (FFL), a health education program that works to address the causes of obesity in rural settings and helps program participants lose weight. Highlights discussion on assessing effectiveness, replication, and cost-effectiveness of lifestyle interventions in a rural Appalachian Ohio county. Covers lessons learned and practice implications.
Author(s): Timothy McKnight, Jennifer R. Demuth, Natalie Wilson, Jonathon P. Leider, Alana Knudson
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 15
Date: 08/2018
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Beliefs About Behavioral Determinants of Obesity in Appalachia, 2011-2014
Examines responses from the Health Information National Trends Survey (2011-2014) to compare Appalachian and non-Appalachian individuals on body mass index, beliefs about obesity, and health behaviors. Provides survey respondents' sociodemographic information, including age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, annual household income, and rurality.
Author(s): Elise L. Rice, Minal Patel, Katrina J. Serrano, et al.
Citation: Public Health Reports, 133(4), 379-384
Date: 07/2018
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Kids SIPsmartER: A Feasibility Study to Reduce Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption among Middle School Youth in Central Appalachia
Reports on a study examining a school-based intervention, Kids SIPsmartER, aimed at decreasing sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among middle school students in rural Appalachian Virginia. Includes student demographic data, such as weight, physical activity, sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, and other health factors.
Author(s): Hannah Lane, Kathleen J. Porter, Erin Hecht, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Heath Promotion, 32(6), 1386-1401
Date: 07/2018
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