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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Appalachia

A Community-Engaged, Mixed-Methods Approach to Prioritizing Needs in a Statewide Assessment of Community Cancer Needs
Discusses a community needs assessment (CNA) in Kentucky that addresses cancer incidence and mortality in the state. Reports on feedback from 162 people and presents a concept map focused on health behaviors, education, access, cultural beliefs, and risk factors, including those specific to rural and Appalachian areas.
Author(s): Jessica R. Thompson, Todd Burus, Caree McAfee, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 21
Date: 12/2024
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Unveiling Socioeconomic Disparities in Maternal Smoking During Pregnancy: A Comprehensive Analysis of Rural and Appalachian Areas in Virginia Utilizing the Multi-Dimensional YOST Index
Examines associations of rurality, Appalachian dwelling, county socioeconomic status (SES), and other demographic factors with smoking behaviors during pregnancy. Utilizes 2009-2020 Virginia Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data.
Author(s): Asal Pilehvari, Ashley Chipoletti, Rebecca Krukowski, Melissa Little
Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 24, 828
Date: 12/2024
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Access in Appalachia: Pilot Study
Builds upon the research report, Access in Appalachia Concept and Methodologies–Final Report, to examine the transportation system in North Carolina. Includes data on public, private, and pedestrian/bicycle transit. County-level statistics on access to essential healthcare available in Table 19.
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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Barriers to Access to Local Produce in an Early Childhood Setting in Rural Appalachia
Analyzes access to fresh produce in early childhood programs in Appalachia as well as farm to school programming. Utilizes semi-structured interview feedback with program directors to examine issues such as staffing, increased work loads, regulations, and lack of funding, knowledge, parental involvement, and equipment.
Author(s): Erali' Tracie Miller, Kathleen Schroeder, Bhuwan Thapa, Elizabeth Shay
Citation: Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 14(1), 169-183
Date: 10/2024
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Social Isolation and Loneliness Prevention among Rural Older Adults Aging-in-Place: A Needs Assessment
Surveyed 82 rural older adults aging in place in rural Appalachian Tennessee to determined local factors contributing to social isolation and loneliness. Discusses neighborhood conditions, interpersonal relationships and activities, health status, and sociodemographic characteristics. Offers rural-specific strategies for addressing social isolation and loneliness in rural communities.
Author(s): Jodi L. Southerland, Shimin Zheng, Kayla Dodson, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 12, 1404869
Date: 10/2024
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The Impact of Primary Care Physician Capacity on Preventable Hospitalizations: Identifying Bright Spots in the Appalachian & Mississippi Delta Regions
Results of a study to determine whether the association of primary care capacity with preventable hospitalizations is different in the Appalachian and Mississippi Delta regions compared with the rest of the U.S. Also explores primary care capacity in counties with lower-than-expected preventable hospitalization rates. Features statistics with breakdowns by rural and nonrural areas.
Author(s): Michael Topmiller, Peter J. Mallow, Hoon Byun, Mark Carrozza, Yalda Jabbarpour
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(3), 66-78
Date: 10/2024
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Assessing Chronic Pain Among Adults Diagnosed with Diabetes Residing in Rural Appalachia
Examines the associations of comorbidity, disability, and depression with chronic pain among a sample of 356 adults with diabetes in 6 rural Appalachian Kentucky counties. Features demographics and statistics on self-reported health status.
Author(s): Brittany L. Smalls, Adebola Adegboyega, Courtney Ortz, et al.
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(3), 79-92
Date: 10/2024
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Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Intimate Partner Violence and Child Maltreatment Services in Rural Northwest North Carolina
Results of a study using data from interviews with 6 regional agencies, conducted in early 2022 with professionals working in intimate partner violence and child maltreatment in rural North Carolina. Explores challenges and risk factors encountered by clients, including isolation, financial barriers, chronic stress, abuse, barriers to care, and mental illness.
Author(s): Elisabeth G. Galphin, Adam Hege, Amy Dellinger Page
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(3), 93-98
Date: 10/2024
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Psychosocial Factors, Stress and Sleep Among Rural Appalachian Kentucky Residents with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Results of a study examining whether psychosocial factors were associated with perceived stress and self-reported sleep deficiency, among 318 people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in 6 counties in rural Appalachian Kentucky. Features demographics and statistics on the association between perceived stress and sleepiness, and depression with perceived stress.
Author(s): Blake DiPaola, Zoe Taylor, Eric Hennemann, et al.
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(3), 50-65
Date: 10/2024
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Public Health Policy that Leads with Equity in Rural Appalachia: Recommendations to Confirm Vaccination Status in an Equitable Manner
Discusses vaccination policy related to COVID-19 in rural Appalachia. Focuses on strategies to create equitable vaccine policies and reach underserved populations such as migrant and immigrant farmworkers.
Author(s): Jennifer Schroeder Tyson, Danny Scalise, Adam Hege, Maggie Sugg, Manan Roy
Citation: Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 18, e284
Date: 09/2024
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