Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Appalachia
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
view details
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
view details
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
view details
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
view details
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
view details
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
view details
Mechanisms of Resilience and Coping to Intersectional HIV Prevention and Drug-Use Stigma among People who Inject Drugs in Rural Appalachian Ohio
Analyzes perspectives on resilience and coping strategies and behaviors related to stigma reduction and HIV prevention among people who inject drugs (PWID) in rural Appalachian Ohio, utilizing interview data of 35 PWID. Discusses the role of supports for PWID in improving public health outcomes in rural areas.
Author(s): Stacy Endres-Dighe, Ana D. Sucaldito, Renee McDowell, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 22, 18
Date: 02/2025
view details
Analyzes perspectives on resilience and coping strategies and behaviors related to stigma reduction and HIV prevention among people who inject drugs (PWID) in rural Appalachian Ohio, utilizing interview data of 35 PWID. Discusses the role of supports for PWID in improving public health outcomes in rural areas.
Author(s): Stacy Endres-Dighe, Ana D. Sucaldito, Renee McDowell, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 22, 18
Date: 02/2025
view details
Genetic Services in Appalachia Conference Series
Identifies facilitators and barriers to genetics care provision and access in rural and underserved Appalachian communities, utilizing survey and feedback data of 137 participants in the Genetic Services in Appalachia webinar series. Discusses rural service delivery models, effects of genetic counseling access on rural health disparities, and more.
Author(s): Kimberly M. Kelly, Trupti Dhumal, Virginia G. Scott, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Medical Genetics - Part A, 197(5), e63990
Date: 01/2025
view details
Identifies facilitators and barriers to genetics care provision and access in rural and underserved Appalachian communities, utilizing survey and feedback data of 137 participants in the Genetic Services in Appalachia webinar series. Discusses rural service delivery models, effects of genetic counseling access on rural health disparities, and more.
Author(s): Kimberly M. Kelly, Trupti Dhumal, Virginia G. Scott, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Medical Genetics - Part A, 197(5), e63990
Date: 01/2025
view details
Impaired Driving Among Rural Appalachian Women in the Year Following Incarceration
Results of a study examining impaired driving following incarceration and predictors of impaired driving in sample of rural Appalachian women with a history of drug use and risky sex. Features demographics and statistics with breakdown by risk factor.
Author(s): J. Matthew Webster, Megan F. Dickson, Shawn M. Jamison, Michele Staton
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(4), 105-114
Date: 01/2025
view details
Results of a study examining impaired driving following incarceration and predictors of impaired driving in sample of rural Appalachian women with a history of drug use and risky sex. Features demographics and statistics with breakdown by risk factor.
Author(s): J. Matthew Webster, Megan F. Dickson, Shawn M. Jamison, Michele Staton
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(4), 105-114
Date: 01/2025
view details
Comparative Outcomes Following Randomization to a Pilot Facebook-Based HIV Prevention Intervention Among Appalachian Women Involved in the Criminal Legal System
Results of a study to determine whether enhancing an HIV prevention intervention with additional modules improves service access for Appalachian women following release from jail. Uses data from surveys conducted between 2019-2022.
Author(s): Megan F. Dickson, Erika Pike, Michele Staton
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(4), 81-96
Date: 01/2025
view details
Results of a study to determine whether enhancing an HIV prevention intervention with additional modules improves service access for Appalachian women following release from jail. Uses data from surveys conducted between 2019-2022.
Author(s): Megan F. Dickson, Erika Pike, Michele Staton
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(4), 81-96
Date: 01/2025
view details
Current Attitudes and Barriers Among Appalachian Patients Towards Orthopaedic Surgery
Describes challenges faced by southern West Virginia rural residents in accessing orthopedic care, due to geographic and socioeconomic barriers. Uses data from 132 electronic surveys collected from patients during an appointment with their primary care provider at an affiliated outreach clinic.
Author(s): Dylan Smith, Justin B. West, Wade Smith, et al.
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(4), 67-80
Date: 01/2025
view details
Describes challenges faced by southern West Virginia rural residents in accessing orthopedic care, due to geographic and socioeconomic barriers. Uses data from 132 electronic surveys collected from patients during an appointment with their primary care provider at an affiliated outreach clinic.
Author(s): Dylan Smith, Justin B. West, Wade Smith, et al.
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(4), 67-80
Date: 01/2025
view details
Investigating Suicide Risk Factors Among Appalachian West Virginian Adults
Results of a study exploring lifetime suicide risk in West Virginia. Identifies factors driving urban-rural differences in suicide risk, using survey data from the 2021 Mountain State Assessment of Trends in Community Health. Features demographics and statistics with breakdown by urban or rural residence.
Author(s): Erin D. Caswell, Angela M. Dyer, Summer D. Hartley
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(4), 41-66
Date: 01/2025
view details
Results of a study exploring lifetime suicide risk in West Virginia. Identifies factors driving urban-rural differences in suicide risk, using survey data from the 2021 Mountain State Assessment of Trends in Community Health. Features demographics and statistics with breakdown by urban or rural residence.
Author(s): Erin D. Caswell, Angela M. Dyer, Summer D. Hartley
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(4), 41-66
Date: 01/2025
view details
Rural Reflections of Appalachia: A Qualitative Study of Health Professional Students' Experiences from a Rural Immersion Experience in West Virginia
Results of a study to explore health professional students' experiences in a community-based rural immersion. Uses information from 62 reflective essays by students in the West Virginia Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Scholars Rural Immersion Program in 2019-2021.
Author(s): Treah Haggerty, Jessica Stidham, Stephan Brooks, et al.
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(4), 10-27
Date: 01/2025
view details
Results of a study to explore health professional students' experiences in a community-based rural immersion. Uses information from 62 reflective essays by students in the West Virginia Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Scholars Rural Immersion Program in 2019-2021.
Author(s): Treah Haggerty, Jessica Stidham, Stephan Brooks, et al.
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(4), 10-27
Date: 01/2025
view details