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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Appalachia

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
Type: Document
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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
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Economic Innovation Group
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Ambulance Deserts: Geographic Disparities in the Provision of Ambulance Services
Webinar recording presenting key findings from a chartbook that analyzes 41 states in 2021-2022 and identifies places and people in ambulance deserts, defined as locations that are more than 25 minutes from an ambulance station.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript
Author(s): Yvonne Jonk
Date: 06/2023
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organizations: Maine Rural Health Research Center, Rural Health Research Gateway
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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: 06/2023
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organizations: Appalachian Regional Commission, First Tennessee Development District, Office of Workforce Investment (OWI), U.S. Department of Agriculture
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The Appalachian Region: A Data Overview from the 2017-2021 American Community Survey Chartbook
State- and county-level information on population, age, race and ethnicity, housing occupancy, education, labor force, employment, 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): Kelvin Pollard, Sara Srygley, Linda A. Jacobsen
Date: 06/2023
Type: Website
Sponsoring organizations: Appalachian Regional Commission, Population Reference Bureau
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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
Type: Document
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Ambulance Deserts: Geographic Disparities in the Provision of Ambulance Services
Chartbook presenting data on ambulance deserts from 41 states in 2021-2022, and identifying places and people that are more than 25 minutes from an ambulance station. Include maps of ambulance desert locations and health care facility locations for every state with available data, and documents coverage gaps in the provision of ambulance services across geographic areas across the United States.
Author(s): Yvonne Jonk, Carly Milkowski, Zachariah Croll, Karen Pearson
Date: 05/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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The Development of Accessible and Sustainable Transgender Health Education for Rural-Serving Medical Providers in Appalachia
Presents the results of a project to develop and implement a cultural competency training program for rural-serving medical residents focused on transgender primary healthcare in South Central Appalachia – an area that is medically under-resourced and experiences intersectional discrimination. The Kern Model medical curriculum and data from clinic stakeholders, residents, and transgender community members were utilized in the development of this training program. Highlights the value of virtual training providing increased accessibility for rural clinics.
Author(s): Rebecca Altschuler, Abbey K. Mann
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 23(2), 7827
Date: 04/2023
Type: Document
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A Qualitative Analysis of Rural Syringe Service Program Fidelity in Appalachian Kentucky: Staff and Participant Perspectives
Presents a study exploring the fidelity of rural syringe service programs (SSPs) to the core components of SSPs. Highlights five SSPs in rural Appalachia and evaluates the programs' adherence to the six core components of SSPs. Bases findings on interviews with clients and staff.
Author(s): E.J. Batty, U. Ibragimov, M. Fadanelli, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 39(2), 328-337
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
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Adult Asthma Associated with Roadway Density and Housing in Rural Appalachia: The Mountain Air Project (Map)
Describes the Mountain Air Project (MAP) in rural Appalachia and the relationship between asthma and small area environmental exposures, such as roadways, mining operations, oil and gas wells, and more. Includes maps showing geographic distribution of potential environmental health exposures as well as data of citizens with asthma broken down by demographic information, housing status, health behaviors, and environmental exposures.
Author(s): W. Jay Christian, John Flunker, Beverly May, et al.
Citation: Environmental Health, 22, 28
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
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