Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Appalachia
Differences in Distress Between Rural and Non-rural Appalachian Breast Cancer Patient / Caregiver Dyads During the First Year of Treatment
Results of a pilot study measuring self-reported anxiety, depression, and caregiver strain among 48 Appalachian breast cancer patients and their caregivers, as identified by the University of Tennessee Medical Center from 2019-2020. Features demographics and statistics on types of psychological distress at baseline, 6-week, 6-month, and 12-month time frames, with breakdowns by rural or nonrural location.
Author(s): Jordan Tasman, Callie D. McAdams, Jillian Lloyd, Ashton J. Brooks, Patricia Nola Eugene Roberson
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 4(3), 56-70
Date: 03/2022
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Results of a pilot study measuring self-reported anxiety, depression, and caregiver strain among 48 Appalachian breast cancer patients and their caregivers, as identified by the University of Tennessee Medical Center from 2019-2020. Features demographics and statistics on types of psychological distress at baseline, 6-week, 6-month, and 12-month time frames, with breakdowns by rural or nonrural location.
Author(s): Jordan Tasman, Callie D. McAdams, Jillian Lloyd, Ashton J. Brooks, Patricia Nola Eugene Roberson
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 4(3), 56-70
Date: 03/2022
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The Impact of a Grocery Store Closure in One Rural Highly Obese Appalachian Community on Shopping Behavior and Dietary Intake
Results of telephone surveys of people in Martin County, Kentucky, a highly obese community in which healthy food accessibility is scarce and which experienced the closure of a local grocery store in January 2020. Includes demographics for the participants, and compares their food shopping habits at the time of the initial contact with those at the time of a follow-up survey a year later.
Author(s): Rachel Gillespie, Emily DeWitt, Stacey Slone, Kathryn Cardarelli, Alison Gustafson
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(6), 3506
Date: 03/2022
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Results of telephone surveys of people in Martin County, Kentucky, a highly obese community in which healthy food accessibility is scarce and which experienced the closure of a local grocery store in January 2020. Includes demographics for the participants, and compares their food shopping habits at the time of the initial contact with those at the time of a follow-up survey a year later.
Author(s): Rachel Gillespie, Emily DeWitt, Stacey Slone, Kathryn Cardarelli, Alison Gustafson
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(6), 3506
Date: 03/2022
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They Built My Soul: A Qualitative Analysis of the Impacts of Home Repairs in Rural Tennessee
Reports results of 28 interviews with rural Tennessee residents who received housing repairs from the Appalachia Service Project, a nonprofit ministry focused on housing improvement. Identifies discussion themes and comments related to environmental risk, physical health, mental health, financial well-being, and willingness to receive assistance from service organizations. Discusses housing as a social determinant of health, and highlights rural and Appalachian housing and health needs.
Author(s): Bethesda O'Connell, Ada Sloop, Nicole Intagliata, Melisa Miller, Megan Quinn
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 4(1), 9-19
Date: 02/2022
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Reports results of 28 interviews with rural Tennessee residents who received housing repairs from the Appalachia Service Project, a nonprofit ministry focused on housing improvement. Identifies discussion themes and comments related to environmental risk, physical health, mental health, financial well-being, and willingness to receive assistance from service organizations. Discusses housing as a social determinant of health, and highlights rural and Appalachian housing and health needs.
Author(s): Bethesda O'Connell, Ada Sloop, Nicole Intagliata, Melisa Miller, Megan Quinn
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 4(1), 9-19
Date: 02/2022
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Predictors of Mortality for Patients with COVID-19 in the Rural Appalachian Region
Examines patient mortality related to COVID-19 between April 5, 2020 to December 31, 2020 based on data from 13 facilities in the Appalachian Regional Healthcare system. Discusses aging population, comorbidities, and health-related behaviors common in rural populations that increase COVID-19 risks. Includes survival and mortality statistics broken down according to demographic and clinical characteristics, serum biomarkers, and treatments.
Author(s): Huzefa Bhopalwala, Nakeya Dewaswala, Sandhya Kolagatla, et al.
Citation: International Journal of General Medicine, 15, 2207-2214
Date: 02/2022
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Examines patient mortality related to COVID-19 between April 5, 2020 to December 31, 2020 based on data from 13 facilities in the Appalachian Regional Healthcare system. Discusses aging population, comorbidities, and health-related behaviors common in rural populations that increase COVID-19 risks. Includes survival and mortality statistics broken down according to demographic and clinical characteristics, serum biomarkers, and treatments.
Author(s): Huzefa Bhopalwala, Nakeya Dewaswala, Sandhya Kolagatla, et al.
Citation: International Journal of General Medicine, 15, 2207-2214
Date: 02/2022
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A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial for a Multi-Level, Clinic-Based Smoking Cessation Program with Women in Appalachian Communities: Study Protocol for the "Break Free" Program
Results of a study to increase smoking cessation among women living in rural Appalachia, by embedding a smoking cessation program within a larger cervical cancer prevention program. Uses data from focus groups comprising 510 women from West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia.
Author(s): Joanne G. Patterson, Tia N. Borger, Jessica L. Burris, et al.
Citation: Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 17(11)
Date: 02/2022
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Results of a study to increase smoking cessation among women living in rural Appalachia, by embedding a smoking cessation program within a larger cervical cancer prevention program. Uses data from focus groups comprising 510 women from West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia.
Author(s): Joanne G. Patterson, Tia N. Borger, Jessica L. Burris, et al.
Citation: Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 17(11)
Date: 02/2022
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Longitudinal Assessment of a Dental and Medical Student Service Program in Appalachia: Successes and Lessons Learned
Results of a study exploring a West Virginia University Institute for Community and Rural Health service scholarship program implemented in 2011 to address a lack of dental and primary care in rural and underserved areas. Features statistics including program participant characteristics, with breakdowns by rural or urban background, and practice site characteristics for participants with fulfilled program status, with breakdowns by rural or underserved location.
Author(s): April Vestal, Fotinos Panagakos, Treah Haggerty, Ashley Brianna Sheppard
Citation: Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 82(1), 113-117
Date: 01/2022
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Results of a study exploring a West Virginia University Institute for Community and Rural Health service scholarship program implemented in 2011 to address a lack of dental and primary care in rural and underserved areas. Features statistics including program participant characteristics, with breakdowns by rural or urban background, and practice site characteristics for participants with fulfilled program status, with breakdowns by rural or underserved location.
Author(s): April Vestal, Fotinos Panagakos, Treah Haggerty, Ashley Brianna Sheppard
Citation: Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 82(1), 113-117
Date: 01/2022
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Exceptional Survival Among Kentucky Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients: Appalachian Versus Non-Appalachian Populations
Explores a study on rates of exceptional survival (5 years or more post-diagnosis) of stage IV lung cancer patients in Appalachian and non-Appalachian Kentucky. Breaks down data by insurance type, treatment type, and length of survival, among other measures.
Author(s): Vira Pravosud, Nathan L. Vanderford, Bin Huang, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 38(1), 14-27
Date: 01/2022
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Explores a study on rates of exceptional survival (5 years or more post-diagnosis) of stage IV lung cancer patients in Appalachian and non-Appalachian Kentucky. Breaks down data by insurance type, treatment type, and length of survival, among other measures.
Author(s): Vira Pravosud, Nathan L. Vanderford, Bin Huang, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 38(1), 14-27
Date: 01/2022
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A Qualitative Study on Pharmacy Policies Toward Over-the-Counter Syringe Sales in a Rural Epicenter of US Drug-Related Epidemics
Examines pharmacy over-the-counter (OTC) policies and pharmacists' rationale for, and barriers and facilitators to, OTC syringe sales in a rural Appalachian Kentucky area hard hit by drug-related epidemics. Uses data collected from interviews with 14 pharmacists between February 2018 and January 2019.
Author(s): Monica Fadanelli, Hannah L. F. Cooper, Patricia R. Freeman, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 19(1)
Date: 01/2022
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Examines pharmacy over-the-counter (OTC) policies and pharmacists' rationale for, and barriers and facilitators to, OTC syringe sales in a rural Appalachian Kentucky area hard hit by drug-related epidemics. Uses data collected from interviews with 14 pharmacists between February 2018 and January 2019.
Author(s): Monica Fadanelli, Hannah L. F. Cooper, Patricia R. Freeman, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 19(1)
Date: 01/2022
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Achieving Excellence in Cancer Diagnosis Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief
Highlights discussions from a virtual workshop focused on improving cancer diagnosis. Includes information on addressing disparities in diagnosis and access to care, including disparities for rural populations. Features a cancer screening and diagnosis program serving rural Appalachia, describing the challenges faced and strategies used, including the use of a mobile screening unit.
Author(s): Board on Health Care Services
Date: 2022
Sponsoring organization: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Highlights discussions from a virtual workshop focused on improving cancer diagnosis. Includes information on addressing disparities in diagnosis and access to care, including disparities for rural populations. Features a cancer screening and diagnosis program serving rural Appalachia, describing the challenges faced and strategies used, including the use of a mobile screening unit.
Author(s): Board on Health Care Services
Date: 2022
Sponsoring organization: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Through the Lens: Youth Experiences with Cancer in Rural Appalachian Kentucky Using Photovoice
Study examining a group of Appalachian Kentucky youth's recognition of cancer disparities in their communities through photography. Analyzes visual themes in participant submissions, including risk factors related to cancer-causing substances, products, or diets, community awareness and support, and healthcare, among other themes.
Author(s): Katie Gaines, Courtney Martin, Chris Prichard, Nathan L. Vanderford
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(1), 205
Date: 12/2021
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Study examining a group of Appalachian Kentucky youth's recognition of cancer disparities in their communities through photography. Analyzes visual themes in participant submissions, including risk factors related to cancer-causing substances, products, or diets, community awareness and support, and healthcare, among other themes.
Author(s): Katie Gaines, Courtney Martin, Chris Prichard, Nathan L. Vanderford
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(1), 205
Date: 12/2021
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