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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Appalachia

Benefits, Challenges, and Strategies Related to Using Presumptive Recommendations for HPV Vaccination: A Qualitative Study with Rural and Non-Rural-Serving Primary Care Professionals
Examines the use of presumptive recommendations that assume parents will want to vaccinate, a strategy aimed at improving HPV vaccination uptake in rural and non-rural primary care clinics in North Carolina. Analyzes interview data from primary care professionals (PCPs) about the impact of presumptive recommendations, focusing on issues such as patient trust and cultural sensitivity.
Author(s): Olufeyisayo O. Odebunmi, Lisa P. Spees, Caitlin B. Biddell, et al.
Citation: Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 20(1)
Date: 05/2024
Type: Document
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Enduring Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Access, Nutrition, and Well-Being in Rural Appalachia
Examines the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on a rural, Appalachian community in Kentucky. Utilizes focus group data from 39 participants to analyze ongoing issues such as social isolation, cost of living, and food access. Discusses how these issues affect mental health, access to needed medications, and ability to purchase nutritious food.
Author(s): Kathryn M. Cardarelli, Emily DeWitt, Rachel Gillespie, Nathan Bandy, Heather Norman-Burgdolf
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(5), 594
Date: 05/2024
Type: Document
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The Paradox of High Greenness and Poor Health in Rural Central Appalachia
Examines the environmental, socioeconomic, and psychological/behavioral factors that result in poor health in rural central Appalachia despite the availability of green areas. Includes discussion about the factors that attenuate or overwhelm potential health benefits of greenness for Appalachian citizens.
Author(s): Jiaying Dong, Matthew H E M Browning, Aaron Reuben, et al.
Citation: Environmental Research, 248, 118400
Date: 05/2024
Type: Document
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Ensuring Equitable Application of Interventions to Vulnerable Subpopulations in the Kentucky Consortium for Accountable Health Communities (KC-AHC)
Results of a study to assess the equity of the Kentucky Consortium for Accountable Health Communities model activities among dual enrollees, disabled people, and women. Uses data gathered from August 2018 to April 2021 in a largely-rural 29-county area in Appalachian Kentucky. Features statistics with breakdowns by year and by subpopulation.
Author(s): Jing Li, Jessica M. Clouser, Akosua Adu, et al.
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(1/2), 38–56
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
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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
Type: Document
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Trilogies: Lessons from 50 Years Facilitating Community-Based Health Assessments and Planning in Appalachia
Presents case studies from rural Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia, in which community input was used to encourage organizational change and collaboration when formulating community-based health assessments. Offers tried-and-tested techniques that may help organizations meet their goals.
Author(s): Bruce Behringer
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(1):148–162
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
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Check with the Intended Audience First! Content Validation as a Method for Inclusive Research for Primary Care Engagement in Rural Appalachia
Results of a study intended to develop and content validate a survey to assess engagement and burnout, referral practices, and self-efficacy and confidence in making referrals based on social determinants of health among primary care providers and clinic staff in Appalachian North Carolina. Uses data from 10 participants, collected between August and November 2022.
Author(s): Sydeena E. Isaacs, Jennifer Schroeder Tyson, Ashley Parks, Danielle Adams
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(1):69–89
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
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Moving Toward Equity: An Evaluation Toolkit
Discusses how equity is connected to health outcomes for Ohio citizens and ways public health partners can evaluate progress when implementing initiatives to improve equity for disadvantaged populations, including those in rural and Appalachian areas. Focuses on assessment and planning, equitable evaluation plans, quality improvement, and collecting data.
Author(s): Carrie Almasi, Édith Nkenganyi, Tonni Oberly, Jacob Santiago
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Health Policy Institute of Ohio
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Identifying Priority Geographic Locations for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Services in the Appalachian Region
Examines the relationship among diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) services, economic distress, and diabetes prevalence in Appalachia. Includes maps presenting these relationships as well as discussion about providing equitable DSMES services.
Author(s): Jacob T. Wittman, Dayna S. Alexander, Melissa Bing, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 21
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
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Access to Capital and Credit for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses in Appalachia
Reports on small business, entrepreneurship, and capital supply and demand in Appalachia. Describes regional and national trends, and identifies contributing factors. Includes data comparisons by level of rurality, and discusses characteristics and challenges of rural areas throughout.
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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