Kentucky Resources

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
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Using the Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model to Identify Implementation Determinants of a Statewide Diabetes Learning Collaborative in Kentucky
Examines the impact of utilizing a learning collaborative to implement a diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) intervention. Utilizes interview feedback with collaborative participants to discuss issues such as organizational perspectives of DSMES, organizational and patient perspectives, and implementation and sustainability infrastructure. Discusses issues of implementing DSMES in rural areas of Kentucky.
Author(s): Aaron J. Kruse-Diehr, Borsika A. Rabin, Jessica Elliott, et al.
Citation: BMC Health Services Research, 25, 735
Date: 05/2025
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Barriers and Facilitators to Scaling up Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in Kentucky: Qualitative Perspectives of Treatment Organization Staff
Examines perspectives from substance use treatment program staff related to the barriers and facilitators of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) utilization. Provides qualitative feedback data from agency staff in Kentucky and discusses organizational, patient, and community factors that impact MOUD utilization. Includes perspectives from rural areas.
Author(s): Hannah K. Knudsen, Shaquita Andrews-Higgins, Sandra Back-Haddix, et al.
Citation: Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 20, 15
Date: 04/2025
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"I'm Tired of Seeing My Friends Die": Barriers and Facilitators to Participating in Clinical Trials Among Rural People Who Use Drugs in the United States
Highlights a study exploring the barriers and facilitators to clinical trial participation by rural people who use drugs (PWUDs). Bases findings on interviews with rural PWUDs in Kentucky, Ohio, and Oregon.
Author(s): Kathryn E. Lancaster, Angela T. Estadt, Madison N. Enderle, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1), e70009
Date: 03/2025
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Community-Engaged Approach to Improve Food Access and Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables in a Rural Appalachian Community
Examines a community advisory board (CAB) in Kentucky consisting of community-academic relationships focused on addressing food security. Discusses the process of forming the CAB, their engagement and contributions, and potential food access solutions that could be implemented in rural Appalachia.
Author(s): Courtney T. Luecking, Makenzie Barr-Porter, Dawn Brewer, Kathryn M. Cardarelli
Citation: Nutrients, 17(3), 431
Date: 01/2025
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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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Suicide Care in Kentucky Hospitals
Provides an overview of suicide-related visits in Kentucky hospitals and emergency departments, recent changes, and patient demographics. Features statistics including percentages of suicide-related visits in 2017-2023 in rural and urban Kentucky hospitals, and a county-level map showing locations of psychiatric hospitals.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: Kentucky Hospital Association
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Increasing Vaccine Confidence in Rural Communities of South-Central Kentucky
Provides educational resources, data, and advice for community leaders and healthcare professionals to promote vaccine confidence in rural south-central Kentucky. The included toolkit provides in-depth discussion of rural attitudes toward vaccination, strategies for effective communication, and information on rural vaccination disparities.
Additional links: Getting to "YES" for Routine Vaccines: A Toolkit to Increase Vaccine Confidence for Rural Communities in Kentucky
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organization: American Lung Association
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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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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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