West Virginia Resources

An Evaluation of the Telehealth Broadband Pilot Program (2021–2024)
Provides an overview of the Telehealth Broadband Pilot (TBP) Program, which aimed to address gaps in broadband service that limited access to telehealth services in rural and underserved communities in Alaska, Michigan, Texas, and West Virginia. Details the development and implementation of devices that measured broadband data in the communities over time and the results of those devices. Summarizes discussions with TBP Program staff regarding the implementation and effectiveness of the program, as well as interviews with healthcare stakeholders, consumers, and technical assistance providers in TBP Program communities. Offers factors for consideration in the development of future programs to measure broadband implementation in rural communities and improve user experience. Includes summary reports by state.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Telehealth Evaluation Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Regional Campuses
view details

2024 West Virginia Health Sciences and Rural Health Report
Review of medical school enrollment, licensing rates, student debt ratios, residency training, and retention rates in West Virginia, with special focus on the Rural Health Initiative Program. Includes dental and pharmacy program profiles, and describes the Medical Student Loan Program and the Health Sciences Service Program, providing financial awards to health professionals who agree to practice in underserved areas of West Virginia.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
view details

FY 2024: HRSA's Rural Health Grants – West Virginia Fact Sheet
HRSA Federal Office of Rural Health Policy investments in West Virginia in Fiscal Year 2024. Lists grant recipients, award amounts, award recipient locations, and congressional district.
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organization: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
view details

Factors Associated With Surveillance Testing in Individuals With COVID-19 Symptoms During the Last Leg of the Pandemic: Multivariable Regression Analysis
Examines demographic, clinical, and behavioral factors associated with COVID-19 testing in a predominantly rural, underserved population in West Virginia between May and November 2022. Utilizes Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics for Underserved Populations program (RADx-UP2) survey data of 2103 individuals. Includes a geospatial analysis of associations between county-level community distress and likelihood of being symptomatic when presenting for testing.
Author(s): Timothy Dotson, Brad Price, Brian Witrick, et al.
Citation: JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, 2024(10), e52762
Date: 07/2024
view details

Rural Community Health Worker Programs: Proving Value and Finding Sustainability
Features four rural healthcare organizations describing the impact of their community health worker (CHW) programs and strategies for sustaining them. Discusses CHW roles, activities, reimbursement options, and more.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
view details

Creating Access to Care in Rural America
Recording of a May 2024 webinar describing how CAMC Greenbrier Valley Medical Center utilized telemedicine hubs to ensure access to care in rural West Virginia communities. Discusses lessons learned, development of the program, and future plans. Features a panel discussion with telehealth, geriatric care, and rural health experts on improving healthcare delivery in rural areas. Transcript available in the video description.
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: Center of Excellence for Telehealth and Aging
view details

Health Wanted: Finding Care in Rural America
Series of videos highlighting challenges with access to quality healthcare for rural Americans. Discusses healthcare access in remote locations, food insecurity and farming practices, transportation, wellness initiatives, and chronic health conditions in 5 states. Transcript available in video description.
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: American Heart Association
view details

Maternal Age and Inadequate Prenatal Care in West Virginia: A Project WATCH Study
Results of a study to determine the potential association between maternal age and inadequate prenatal care, based on data collected in rural Appalachian West Virginia between May 2018 and March 2022, through a state-mandated surveillance tool. Features demographics and statistics with breakdowns by maternal age group, education, substance use, payment type, and geographic region.
Author(s): Madelin Gardner, Amna Umer, Brian Hendricks, et al.
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(1/2), 21–37
Date: 04/2024
view details

Factors Associated With Myocardial Infarction in a Rural Population With Peripheral Arterial Diseases
Examines the association between sociodemographic and clinical risk factors and myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with peripheral arterial diseases (PAD) in Central Appalachia. Uses data from 5,574 patients in 230 counties across Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Features statistics on characteristics of patients with PAD based on presence or absence of MI.
Author(s): Adeola O. Awujoola, Moboni T. Mokikan, Olufeyisayo O. Odebunmi, et al.
Citation: Angiology, 0(0)
Date: 02/2024
view details

Educational Intervention to Increase COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in Rural Patients with Chronic Diseases: Lessons Learned from An Innovative Academic–Community Partnership
Results of a study using an educational intervention to increase vaccine knowledge and vaccine acceptance in rural patients with chronic diseases in West Virginia. Uses data from an academic–community partnership comprising researchers, practitioners, community organizations, community-engaged partners, and patient stakeholders.
Author(s): Ranjita Misra, Brenna Kirk, Samantha Shawley-Brzoska, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(1), 71
Date: 01/2024
view details