Mental Health in the Appalachian Region

Source: Health Disparities in Appalachian and Other Rural Communities

Journal: The International Journal of Aging and Human Development

Year: 2023

Citation: Hash, K. M., Schreurs, B. G., Tolley, S. M., & Fiske, A. (2023). Health disparities in Appalachian and other rural communities. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 98(1), 56–68. https://doi.org/10.1177/00914150231171856

With an increasing older adult population residing in rural communities combined with the health and mental health disparities faced by rural residents across the lifespan, it is imperative to identify ways to reduce and eventually eliminate these inequities. Almost 50% of Appalachia is rural and Poverty is found to be pervasive in many of these communities. This study discusses several contributors to rural health and mental health disparities in the Appalachia region.

Source: Behavioral Parent Training Via Telehealth for Autistic Children in Rural Appalachia: A Mixed Methods Feasibility Study

Journal: Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions

Year: 2023

Citation: Gould, K., Martin, R. J., Bottini, S., Crowley-Zalaket, J., Losh, A., McCammon, M., Wolgemuth, J. R., & Anderson, C. (2023). Behavioral parent training via telehealth for Autistic Children in rural Appalachia: A mixed methods feasibility study. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions. https://doi.org/10.1177/10983007231200541

Behavioral parent training (BPT) is an empirically supported approach to addressing the behavioral concerns of autistic children. However, many families face barriers to accessing BPT. Adapting BPT via telehealth technology may improve access for families, especially those living in rural regions. This study aims to evaluate the implementation of a Research Units in Behavioral Intervention (RUBI), a BPT program for autistic children, via telehealth to families living in the Appalachian region of the United States. 

Source: The rising burden of Alzheimer's disease mortality in rural America

Journal: SSM Population Health

Year: 2022

Citation: Ho, J. Y., & Franco, Y. (2022). The rising burden of Alzheimer’s disease mortality in rural America. SSM - Population Health, 17, 101052. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101052

The rising burden of Alzheimer's disease mortality is likely to pose a substantial challenge in rural areas of the United States which are aging rapidly, experiencing adverse mortality trends, and increasingly disadvantaged in terms of socioeconomic resources and health care infrastructure.