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Rural Health Information Hub

Virginia Resources

Virginia Rural Microtransit Project
Case study of a microtransit program in rural Virginia that aims to provide transportation to senior centers that require meal delivery, as well as fixed route and demand-response transportation to aging residents and residents with disabilities. Describes the cost of the project, coordination with community entities, and impacts of COVID-19.
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Aging and Disability Transportation Center
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Engaging Rural Communities in Cancer Prevention and Control Research: Development and Preliminary Insights from a Community-Based Research Registry
Discusses the establishment of the Virginia Living Well (VALW) registry in 2018 and the methodology involved to include rural and underrepresented populations in cancer research through community outreach. Includes county-level maps of cancer data in Virginia as well as demographic data on VALW participants broken down by employment, income, insurance status, cancer screening frequency, race, rural versus urban, and more.
Author(s): Maria D. Thomson, April R. Williams, Arnethea L. Sutton, et al.
Citation: Cancer Medicine, 10(21), 7726-7734
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
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Spatial Analysis of Colorectal Cancer Outcomes and Socioeconomic Factors in Virginia
Shares the results of a spatial analysis of colorectal cancer outcomes in Virginia. Identifies demographic, socioeconomic, and other factors related to healthcare access that impact colorectal cancer disparities. Includes tables and maps sharing rural versus urban data and information.
Author(s): Esther J. Thatcher, Fabian Camacho, Roger T. Anderson, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 21, 1908
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
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Strengthening SNAP and TANF is Essential to Support Children in Early Childhood
Research brief examining participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in Virginia during children's first six years of life. Uses administrative data from the Virginia Longitudinal Data System to explore differences in participation by race and residence in rural versus urban counties.
Author(s): Colleen Heflin, Michah W. Rothbart, Mattie Mackenzie-Liu
Date: 09/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion
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Implementation and Outcomes of the Balanced Living with Diabetes Program Conducted by Cooperative Extension in Rural Communities in Virginia
Shares the results of a study examining a lifestyle management program, Balanced Living with Diabetes (BLD), to address gaps in diabetes education that was implemented by Cooperative Extension System educators in rural Virginia. Includes an analysis of the BLD program outcomes in Table 2 and 3.
Author(s): Carlin Rafie, Kathy Hosig, Sophie G. Wenzel, Shelby Borowski, Kristina A. Jiles, Eleanor Schlenker
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 21(1), 6620
Date: 08/2021
Type: Document
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Factors Associated With Use of and Satisfaction With Telehealth by Adults in Rural Virginia During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Examines the use of and satisfaction with telehealth services since March 2020 among 253 survey participants from rural Virginia, and explores the association between demographic and health characteristics, health literacy, internet access, and the odds of using telehealth. Features statistics with breakdowns including race or ethnicity, sex, rural or urban location, insurance status, and broadband access.
Author(s): Maria D. Thomson, Abigail C. Mariani, April R. Williams, Arnethea L. Sutton, Vanessa B. Sheppard
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 4(8)
Date: 08/2021
Type: Document
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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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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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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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Additional resources are available. See a full list of Virginia Resources.


Last Updated: 11/15/2024