Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 7 of 7
Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences
Piloting An Oral History Approach To Investigate Cancer Perspectives Among Residents Of Appalachian Kentucky, Courtney Martin, Lauren Hudson, Nathan L. Vanderford
Piloting An Oral History Approach To Investigate Cancer Perspectives Among Residents Of Appalachian Kentucky, Courtney Martin, Lauren Hudson, Nathan L. Vanderford
Journal of Appalachian Health
Introduction: Kentucky ranks first in the U.S. in overall cancer incidence and mortality rates. Areas of the state that fall within the Appalachian Region, along Kentucky’s eastern border, experience disproportionately high rates of cancer compared to non-Appalachian counties.
Purpose: This pilot study investigates whether oral history interviews can be used to understand perspectives on cancer among residents of Appalachian Kentucky.
Methods: In 2020, participants (n = 5) who identified as being from and/or having strong connections to Appalachian Kentucky were recruited to participate in this pilot study. Participants included individuals working in cancer-related fields, oncology professionals, and those with personal …
Differences In Distress Between Rural And Non-Rural Appalachian Breast Cancer Patient / Caregiver Dyads During The First Year Of Treatment, Jordan Tasman, Callie D. Mcadams, Jillian Lloyd, Ashton J. Brooks, Patricia Nola Eugene Roberson
Differences In Distress Between Rural And Non-Rural Appalachian Breast Cancer Patient / Caregiver Dyads During The First Year Of Treatment, Jordan Tasman, Callie D. Mcadams, Jillian Lloyd, Ashton J. Brooks, Patricia Nola Eugene Roberson
Journal of Appalachian Health
Introduction: Breast cancer patients and their caregivers living in rural Appalachia face substantial health disparities compared to their non-rural Appalachian counterparts. However, there is limited research on how these specific health disparities in rural Appalachian communities may impact patient psychological distress and caregiver strain during the first year of breast cancer treatment.
Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to assess differences in patient psychological distress (depression and anxiety) and caregiver strain between rural non-rural Appalachian breast-cancer-affected dyads (patients and their caregivers) during the first year of treatment.
Methods: A total of 48 Appalachian breast cancer patients (with a …
Prevalence And Types Of Drugs Used Among Hepatitis A Patients During Outbreaks Associated With Person-To-Person Transmission, Kentucky, Michigan, And West Virginia, 2016–2019, Megan G. Hofmeister, Alice Asher, Christopher M. Jones, Ryan J. Augustine, Cole Burkholder, Jim Collins, Monique A. Foster, Shannon Mcbee, Erica D. Thomasson, Doug Thoroughman, Mark K. Weng, Philip R. Spradling
Prevalence And Types Of Drugs Used Among Hepatitis A Patients During Outbreaks Associated With Person-To-Person Transmission, Kentucky, Michigan, And West Virginia, 2016–2019, Megan G. Hofmeister, Alice Asher, Christopher M. Jones, Ryan J. Augustine, Cole Burkholder, Jim Collins, Monique A. Foster, Shannon Mcbee, Erica D. Thomasson, Doug Thoroughman, Mark K. Weng, Philip R. Spradling
Journal of Appalachian Health
Background: People who use drugs are at increased risk for hepatitis A virus infection. Since 1996, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended hepatitis A vaccination for people who use drugs. Since 2016, the U.S. has experienced widespread hepatitis A outbreaks associated with person-to-person transmission.
Purpose: To describe the prevalence of drug use, route of use, and drugs used among hepatitis A outbreak-associated patients.
Methods: State outbreak and medical records were reviewed to describe the prevalence, type, and route of drug use among a random sample of 812 adult outbreak-associated hepatitis A patients from Kentucky, Michigan, and West Virginia …
The Compounding Effect Of Rurality On Health Disparities Among Black Patients With Covid-19, Jessica E. Johnson, Ruchi Bhandari, Allison Lastinger, Rebecca Reece
The Compounding Effect Of Rurality On Health Disparities Among Black Patients With Covid-19, Jessica E. Johnson, Ruchi Bhandari, Allison Lastinger, Rebecca Reece
Journal of Appalachian Health
Background: West Virginia had garnered national attention for its vaccination rollout against coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Outcomes of this mostly rural population, however, have been underreported. As the pandemic continues, identifying high risk populations remains important to further epidemiologic information and target vaccines.
Purpose: The objective of this study is to examine the effects of COVID-19 and the influence of race and rurality on hospitalization and outcomes in Appalachians.
Methods: In this retrospective study, data from patients who tested positive and were admitted for COVID-19 and seen within the state’s largest health system (West Virginia University Health System) between March …
Loss Of Obstetric Services In Rural Appalachia: A Qualitative Study Of Community Perceptions, Caroline R. Efird, David Dry, Rachel F. Seidman
Loss Of Obstetric Services In Rural Appalachia: A Qualitative Study Of Community Perceptions, Caroline R. Efird, David Dry, Rachel F. Seidman
Journal of Appalachian Health
Background: As rural hospitals across the United States increasingly downsize or close, the availability of inpatient obstetric services continues to decline in rural areas. In rural Appalachia, the termination of obstetric services threatens to exacerbate the existing risk of adverse birth outcomes for women and infants, yet less is known about how the cessation of these services affects the broader community.
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explain how the loss of local obstetric services affects perceptions of healthcare among multi-generational residents of a remote, rural Appalachian community in western North Carolina.
Methods: An interdisciplinary team of researchers …
Cancer Curriculum For Appalachian Kentucky Middle And High Schools, Lauren Hudson, Katherine Sharp, Chris Prichard, Melinda J. Ickes, Sahar Alameh, Nathan L. Vanderford
Cancer Curriculum For Appalachian Kentucky Middle And High Schools, Lauren Hudson, Katherine Sharp, Chris Prichard, Melinda J. Ickes, Sahar Alameh, Nathan L. Vanderford
Journal of Appalachian Health
Background: Appalachian Kentucky faces the highest cancer incidence and mortality rates in the country due to poor health behaviors and lifestyle choices. These poor health behaviors are facilitated by a lack of cancer education. Youth represent a vulnerable population that could be greatly impacted by increased cancer education. Teachers have the power to facilitate this learning.
Purpose: This study examined the need for cancer education curriculum in Appalachian Kentucky middle and high schools from the perspective of educators.
Methods: An online survey was conducted with science and health teachers (n=21) in Appalachian Kentucky, consisting of questions that investigated existing cancer …
Preventive Care And Chronic Disease Management: Comparison Of Appalachian And Non-Appalachian Community Health Centers In The United States, Julie P. Marcinek, Alek Sripipatana, Sue C. Lin
Preventive Care And Chronic Disease Management: Comparison Of Appalachian And Non-Appalachian Community Health Centers In The United States, Julie P. Marcinek, Alek Sripipatana, Sue C. Lin
Journal of Appalachian Health
Introduction: The Appalachian region is often characterized by poor health outcomes and economic depression. Health centers (HCs) are community-based and patient-directed organizations that deliver comprehensive, culturally competent, high-quality primary healthcare services in high need areas, including Appalachia, where economic, geographic, or cultural factors can hinder access to healthcare services.
Purpose: The study compares the clinical quality performance in preventive care and chronic disease management between Appalachian HCs and their non-Appalachian counterparts.
Methods: Using 2015 Uniform Data System (UDS) health center data, bivariate and multivariate linear regression analyses examine the association of Appalachian HC with performance on preventive and chronic care …