Kentucky Resources
Understanding Declining Rates of Drug Overdose Mortality in Eastern Kentucky
Identifies policies and strategies that might have contributed to the decline in drug overdose mortality in the 5-year periods from 2008-2012 to 2013-2017 in 8 counties in eastern Kentucky. Offers recommendations for approaches that could be implemented in other communities. Includes statistics on overdose mortality in 8 eastern Kentucky counties; a county-level map showing changes in rates of overdose mortality in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Ohio; and a graph showing rates of overdose mortality in the Appalachian counties of Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia from 1999-2019.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organizations: NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis, University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health
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Identifies policies and strategies that might have contributed to the decline in drug overdose mortality in the 5-year periods from 2008-2012 to 2013-2017 in 8 counties in eastern Kentucky. Offers recommendations for approaches that could be implemented in other communities. Includes statistics on overdose mortality in 8 eastern Kentucky counties; a county-level map showing changes in rates of overdose mortality in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Ohio; and a graph showing rates of overdose mortality in the Appalachian counties of Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia from 1999-2019.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organizations: NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis, University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health
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Traffic Safety in Appalachia: Final Report
Defines the traffic safety culture in Appalachia and discusses causes of common safety problems in the region, including drug- and alcohol-impaired driving. Explores environmental concerns of Appalachian drivers, such as expansive rural regions, mountainous and curved terrain, and dense forests exposed to extreme weather elements. Includes analysis of Appalachian traffic fatalities, fatal crash data statistics, and an evaluation of the Appalachian Development Highway System as a possible intervention measure for treating traffic safety problems. Also includes a case study of severe crashes in Appalachian North Carolina, featuring statistics with breakdowns by rural and urban areas.
Additional links: Research Brief
Author(s): Wesley Kumfer, Katherine Harmon, Bo Lan, et al.
Date: 02/2021
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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Defines the traffic safety culture in Appalachia and discusses causes of common safety problems in the region, including drug- and alcohol-impaired driving. Explores environmental concerns of Appalachian drivers, such as expansive rural regions, mountainous and curved terrain, and dense forests exposed to extreme weather elements. Includes analysis of Appalachian traffic fatalities, fatal crash data statistics, and an evaluation of the Appalachian Development Highway System as a possible intervention measure for treating traffic safety problems. Also includes a case study of severe crashes in Appalachian North Carolina, featuring statistics with breakdowns by rural and urban areas.
Additional links: Research Brief
Author(s): Wesley Kumfer, Katherine Harmon, Bo Lan, et al.
Date: 02/2021
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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A Randomized Controlled Trial Measuring Effects of Extra Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits on Child Food Security in Low-Income Families in Rural Kentucky
Results of a study to determine whether the Ticket to Healthy Food (TTHF) program would reduce child food insecurity among rural, low-income Kentucky households. Features statistics on 1,623 TTHF households, including demographics and food security status before and after the intervention.
Author(s): Gregory J. Chojnacki, Andrew G. Gothro, Philip M. Gleason, Sarah G. Forrestal
Citation: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 121(1), Supplement, S9-S21
Date: 01/2021
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Results of a study to determine whether the Ticket to Healthy Food (TTHF) program would reduce child food insecurity among rural, low-income Kentucky households. Features statistics on 1,623 TTHF households, including demographics and food security status before and after the intervention.
Author(s): Gregory J. Chojnacki, Andrew G. Gothro, Philip M. Gleason, Sarah G. Forrestal
Citation: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 121(1), Supplement, S9-S21
Date: 01/2021
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Buprenorphine Dispensing in an Epicenter of the U.S. Opioid Epidemic: A Case Study of the Rural Risk Environment in Appalachian Kentucky
Explores buprenorphine dispensing practices among pharmacists in rural, Appalachian Kentucky, highlighting issues related to buprenorphine dispensing hesitancy. Identifies themes from interviews with 14 pharmacists operating in 12 rural, Appalachian Kentucky counties and discusses dispensing risk environment. Reviews factors influencing hesitancy, including national and state-level drug policy, stigma, and continuing impacts of the opioid epidemic.
Author(s): Hannah LF Cooper, David H. Cloud, Patricia R. Freeman, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Drug Policy, 85, 102701
Date: 11/2020
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Explores buprenorphine dispensing practices among pharmacists in rural, Appalachian Kentucky, highlighting issues related to buprenorphine dispensing hesitancy. Identifies themes from interviews with 14 pharmacists operating in 12 rural, Appalachian Kentucky counties and discusses dispensing risk environment. Reviews factors influencing hesitancy, including national and state-level drug policy, stigma, and continuing impacts of the opioid epidemic.
Author(s): Hannah LF Cooper, David H. Cloud, Patricia R. Freeman, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Drug Policy, 85, 102701
Date: 11/2020
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Willingness to Participate in At-Home HIV Testing Among Young Adults Who Use Opioids in Rural Appalachia
Explores a study on the willingness of people who use drugs to take at-home HIV tests in rural Appalachian Kentucky. Breaks down data by participant's age, sex, and syringe usage, among others.
Author(s): April M. Ballard, Regine Haardöerfer, Nadya Prood, et al.
Citation: AIDS and Behavior, 25, 699-708
Date: 09/2020
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Explores a study on the willingness of people who use drugs to take at-home HIV tests in rural Appalachian Kentucky. Breaks down data by participant's age, sex, and syringe usage, among others.
Author(s): April M. Ballard, Regine Haardöerfer, Nadya Prood, et al.
Citation: AIDS and Behavior, 25, 699-708
Date: 09/2020
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The Improved Health Outcomes Program (iHOP): A Unique Model to Promote Provider-Driven Research in a Medicaid Population
Describes the iHOP program, a grant-funded partnership between a Medicaid managed care insurer, the University of Louisville, and healthcare providers in Kentucky. The program operated from 2007-2018 and was designed to address the healthcare needs of Medicaid and uninsured populations across the state. Includes information on specific project initiatives, including those focused on special populations such as refugees, Latinos, and rural individuals.
Author(s): Tara J. Schapmire, Jill Bell, Mark. P. Pfeifer
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(14), 5079
Date: 07/2020
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Describes the iHOP program, a grant-funded partnership between a Medicaid managed care insurer, the University of Louisville, and healthcare providers in Kentucky. The program operated from 2007-2018 and was designed to address the healthcare needs of Medicaid and uninsured populations across the state. Includes information on specific project initiatives, including those focused on special populations such as refugees, Latinos, and rural individuals.
Author(s): Tara J. Schapmire, Jill Bell, Mark. P. Pfeifer
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(14), 5079
Date: 07/2020
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Geographic Variation in the Structure of Kentucky's Population Health Systems: An Urban, Rural, and Appalachian Comparison
Examines differences in key characteristics of population health systems in Kentucky, using data from a 2018 statewide survey of community networks. Features statistics on implementation of population health activities, with breakdowns by urban, rural non-Appalachian, and rural Appalachian public health jurisdictions.
Author(s): Rachel Hogg-Graham, Angela Carman, Glen P. Mays, Pierre Martin Dominique Zephyr
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 2(3), 14-25
Date: 07/2020
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Examines differences in key characteristics of population health systems in Kentucky, using data from a 2018 statewide survey of community networks. Features statistics on implementation of population health activities, with breakdowns by urban, rural non-Appalachian, and rural Appalachian public health jurisdictions.
Author(s): Rachel Hogg-Graham, Angela Carman, Glen P. Mays, Pierre Martin Dominique Zephyr
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 2(3), 14-25
Date: 07/2020
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Availability of Health Insurance Literacy Resources Fails to Meet Consumer Needs in Rural, Appalachian Communities: Implications for State Medicaid Waivers
Reports on the availability of health system and community‐based programs promoting health insurance literacy and supporting informed consumer healthcare decision making in rural Kentucky. Findings are based on focus groups and interviews conducted with healthcare providers, community health workers, patient navigators, and others primarily serving rural Appalachian counties in the state.
Author(s): Jean Edward, Robin Thompson, Andrea Jaramillo
Citation: Journal of Rural Health
Date: 06/2020
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Reports on the availability of health system and community‐based programs promoting health insurance literacy and supporting informed consumer healthcare decision making in rural Kentucky. Findings are based on focus groups and interviews conducted with healthcare providers, community health workers, patient navigators, and others primarily serving rural Appalachian counties in the state.
Author(s): Jean Edward, Robin Thompson, Andrea Jaramillo
Citation: Journal of Rural Health
Date: 06/2020
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Syringe Service Program Use Among People Who Inject Drugs in Appalachian Kentucky
Explores implementation of a harm reduction program for people who inject drugs (PWIDs) in rural Kentucky. Evaluates the efficacy of a syringe service program at reducing the transmission rates of HIV and HCV among PWIDs in Appalachian Kentucky.
Author(s): Hilary L. Surratt, Amy M. Cowley, Jennifer Gulley, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 110(1), 34-36
Date: 01/2020
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Explores implementation of a harm reduction program for people who inject drugs (PWIDs) in rural Kentucky. Evaluates the efficacy of a syringe service program at reducing the transmission rates of HIV and HCV among PWIDs in Appalachian Kentucky.
Author(s): Hilary L. Surratt, Amy M. Cowley, Jennifer Gulley, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 110(1), 34-36
Date: 01/2020
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Kentucky's Primary Care Workforce: Current Status and Output of New Trainees, January 2020 Update
Presents data and information about the primary care workforce in Kentucky and trainee pipelines supplying new primary care physicians to Kentucky. Features statistics on expected shortfalls among Kentucky primary care physicians, numbers of primary care Advanced Practice Registered Nurses with breakdowns by practice locations in underserved and rural areas, and ratio of primary care physicians to Kentucky population by county and Health Professional Shortage Areas designation, as of 2018.
Author(s): Kevin A. Pearce, Sydney Thompson, Fran Feltner, R. Brent Wright, Joe E. Kingery
Date: 01/2020
Sponsoring organization: University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health
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Presents data and information about the primary care workforce in Kentucky and trainee pipelines supplying new primary care physicians to Kentucky. Features statistics on expected shortfalls among Kentucky primary care physicians, numbers of primary care Advanced Practice Registered Nurses with breakdowns by practice locations in underserved and rural areas, and ratio of primary care physicians to Kentucky population by county and Health Professional Shortage Areas designation, as of 2018.
Author(s): Kevin A. Pearce, Sydney Thompson, Fran Feltner, R. Brent Wright, Joe E. Kingery
Date: 01/2020
Sponsoring organization: University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health
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Additional resources are available. See a full list of Kentucky Resources.
Last Updated: 2/11/2025