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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Appalachia

Epidemiology of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Virginia: Excellent Survival Outcomes for Patients in Rural Appalachia
Results of a study comparing the molecular characteristics of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in rural and urban Virginia. Also evaluates the effect of geography and socioeconomic factors on the biology, treatment, and survival rate of AML patients. Features demographics with breakdowns by urban or rural location and a county-level map showing frequency of patients, with shadings indicating urban or rural area.
Author(s): Krista M. Isaac, Daniel R. Reed, Raj Piyush Desai, et al.
Citation: Cancer Reports (Hoboken), 4(4), e1354
Date: 08/2021
Type: Document
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Caregiver Feeding Practices as Predictors for Child Dietary Intake in Low-Income, Appalachian Communities
Results of a study of feeding practices of 178 caregivers of children ages 2-10 from low-income, rural communities in East Tennessee, conducted from November 2017 to June 2018. Features demographics and statistics on caregiver and child dietary intake.
Author(s): Mikaela B. McIver, Sarah Colby, Melissa Hansen-Petrik, Elizabeth T. Anderson Steeves
Citation: Nutrients, 13(8), 2773.
Date: 08/2021
Type: Document
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Rural Poverty Has Distinct Regional and Racial Patterns
Describes the findings of a study of persistent poverty, examining the prevalence of poverty in Appalachia, the Black Belt, the Mississippi Delta, the U.S.-Mexico border, and on Native American lands. Discusses the impacts of persistent poverty on access to healthcare, food access, social programs, and other support services.
Author(s): Tracey Farrigan
Citation: Amber Waves
Date: 08/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Emergence of Wasp Dope in Rural Appalachian Kentucky
Surveyed 278 Appalachian Kentucky adult residents between February 2018 and April 2019 that had used opioids or injected drugs in the previous 30 days about their use of "wasp dope," a drug made from insecticides. Discusses factors associated with wasp dope use. Includes break down of study participants by level of rurality.
Author(s): April M. Young, Melvin Livingston, Rachel Vickers-Smith, Hannah L.F. Cooper
Citation: Addiction, 116(7), 1901-1907
Date: 07/2021
Type: Document
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Physical Activity Barriers and Assets in Rural Appalachian Kentucky: A Mixed-Methods Study
Study examining barriers, resources, and community support for physical activity to address obesity in rural Appalachia, focusing on Martin County, Kentucky. Describes data related to physical activity, social determinants of health, and physical environment for a cohort of 152 people and 34 focus group participants.
Author(s): Natalie Jones, Dierdre Dlugonski, Rachel Gillespie, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(14), 7646
Date: 07/2021
Type: Document
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Federal Agencies' Investment in Rural Cancer Control Fosters Partnerships between Researchers and Rural Communities
Highlights how researchers and rural communities are working together to address rural cancer prevention and control, with support from federal funding. Discusses projects that address health behaviors, cancer screening, vaccination, and rural participation in clinical trials.
Author(s): Mary Charlton, Whitney Zahnd, Jennifer Patterson, Kimberly Merchant
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 07/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Flood Risk is Higher in Rural and Disadvantaged Communities
Examines how flood risk varies based on rural or urban location and socioeconomic or demographic composition, using data from the 48 lower U.S. states. Features statistics on average percentage of properties at risk of flooding, with breakdowns by urban, large rural, small rural, and isolated areas. Offers recommendations for preparing evacuation and resource distribution materials and creating partnerships with local service agencies, especially in areas with large populations of older adults.
Author(s): Danielle Rhubart, Yue Sun
Date: 07/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion, Penn State Population Research Institute
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Assessing the Effectiveness of Cancer Screening Interventions Targeting Appalachian Populations: A Systematic Review
Presents a review of cancer screening interventions aimed at rural Appalachian communities and measures their efficacy. Explores the design and limitations of each study. Breaks down data by cancer type, intervention type, and recorded outcomes, among other factors.
Author(s): Nicole M. Robertson, Lauren Hudson, Suzanna Labib Attia, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 37(3), 602–623
Date: 06/2021
Type: Document
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Demographic and Health Characteristics of Ohio's Non-Elderly Adult Medicaid Population: 2019 OMAS Update
Presents information on the Medicaid population in Ohio based on the 2019 Ohio Medicaid Assessment Survey (OMAS). Discusses the health status of Medicaid enrollees with information on self-reported health status, unmet needs, and mental health-related impairments. Includes county-level reports on non-working adults and demographic data broken down by age, gender, race/ethnicity, household type, insurance status, employment, and rural Appalachian, rural non-Appalachian, suburban, and metropolitan county types.
Author(s): Hilary Metelko Rosebrook, Kelly Stamper Balistreri
Date: 06/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Medicaid Technical Assistance and Policy Program, Ohio College of Medicine Government Resource Center, Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Department of Medicaid
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Chronic Conditions Among Ohio Adults: 2019 Update
Reports on adults in Ohio with chronic diseases based on the 2019 Ohio Medicaid Assessment Survey (OMAS). Presents information on chronic disease prevalence, access to care, and risk factors, with demographic information broken down by age, gender, race/ethnicity, income, insurance status, employment, and rural Appalachian, rural non-Appalachian, suburban, or metropolitan location.
Author(s): Thomas Albani, Carmen Clutter, Ashley Davis, et al.
Date: 06/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Medicaid Technical Assistance and Policy Program, Ohio Department of Aging, Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Department of Medicaid, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
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