Virginia Resources

Characterization of Mental Illness Among US Coal Miners
Describe the prevalence of and risk factors for mental illness among 2,808 active and former coal miners from central Appalachia who received clinical care at Stone Mountain Health Services Black Lung Clinic between 2018-2020. Features statistics with breakdowns by degree of depression, pulmonary risk factors, and length of time spent working as a miner.
Author(s): Drew Harris, Timothy McMurry, Amanda Caughron, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 4(5)
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
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Virginia's Occupational Therapy Workforce: 2020
An overview of the occupational therapist (OT) workforce in Virginia based on data from the 2020 Occupational Therapy Workforce Survey. Features statistics including the number of OTs in rural Virginia and how many grew up in rural areas.
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Virginia Department of Health Professions
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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
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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Virginia's Occupational Therapy Assistant Workforce: 2020
An overview of the occupational therapy assistant (OTA) workforce in Virginia based on data from the 2020 Occupational Therapy Assistant Workforce Survey. Features statistics including the number of OTAs in rural Virginia and how many grew up in rural areas.
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Virginia Department of Health Professions
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Suppers in Virginia Give Rural Folks a Chance to Meet and Share Information
Describes community suppers, which are events organized by the Virginia State Office of Rural Health (VA SORH) to encourage health-related discussion among rural community members. Topics include wellness, examples of community success, and suggestions for improvement.
Author(s): Beth Blevins
Date: 02/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
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Access to Autism Spectrum Disorder Services for Rural Appalachian Citizens
Summarizes the challenges of accessibility and affordability faced by residents of rural southwest Virginia as they seek services for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Highlights the effects of extreme poverty and the need for cultural sensitivity among service providers. Offers suggestions for policymakers and features demographic statistics on caregivers and providers.
Author(s): Angela Scarpa, Laura S. Jensen, Denis Gracanin, Sharon L. Ramey, Angela V. Dahiya
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 2(1), 25-40
Date: 2020
Type: Document
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Factors Affecting the Development of Medicaid Hospital Payment Policies: Findings from Structured Interviews in Five States
Study examining Medicaid hospital payment policies with a focus on factors affecting payment mix and structure, the impact of state policies and financing methods, how states target hospital services or types such as rural hospitals, barriers to and drivers of change to payment methods, and more. Focuses on 5 states that made or are making significant hospital policy changes: Arizona, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, and Virginia. Appendix B includes state profiles.
Author(s): Thomas Marks, Kathy Gifford, Steven Perlin, Melisa Byrd, Timothy Beger
Date: 10/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Kids SIPsmartER: A Feasibility Study to Reduce Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption among Middle School Youth in Central Appalachia
Reports on a study examining a school-based intervention, Kids SIPsmartER, aimed at decreasing sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among middle school students in rural Appalachian Virginia. Includes student demographic data, such as weight, physical activity, sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, and other health factors.
Author(s): Hannah Lane, Kathleen J. Porter, Erin Hecht, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Heath Promotion, 32(6), 1386-1401
Date: 07/2018
Type: Document
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Tobacco Use and Health Insurance Literacy Among Vulnerable Populations: Implications for Health Reform
Results of a study examining health insurance literacy among tobacco users, with data collected from 631 lower-income, predominantly minority residents of rural Virginia. Features statistics on insurance choice and cost, age, race, education, and tobacco use.
Author(s): Robert T. Braun, Yaniv Hanoch, Andrew J. Barnes
Citation: BMC Health Services Research, 17, 729
Date: 11/2017
Type: Document
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Robert Pack & Maggie Elehwany: VRHA Keynoters--and VRHA Board President Summer Sage
Recording from the 2017 Virginia Rural Health Association (VRHA)'s Rural Health Providers Conference. Discussion of new rural healthcare-related education initiatives and resources, grant funding to help combat the Virginia opioid crisis, and rural health policy developments on the federal level and their impact on rural areas.
Date: 11/2017
Type: Audio
Sponsoring organizations: Center for Rural Affairs, National Rural Education Association
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