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Assessing and Addressing the Determinants of Appalachian Population Health: A Scoping Review
David L Driscoll1, Hannah O'Donnell2, Maitri Patel3
1Healthy Appalachia Institute, UVA Wise.
Journal of Appalachian Health
|May 24, 2024
Summary
Appalachian residents face higher health risks due to social and environmental factors. This review identifies key health determinants and outcomes to guide interventions for reducing disparities.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Disparities
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Appalachia exhibits higher morbidity and mortality rates than national averages.
- Health disparities are linked to inequitable exposures to social and environmental determinants of health.
- Understanding these determinants is crucial for developing effective health programs in the region.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a scoping review of studies linking determinants of Appalachian health with leading causes of mortality and morbidity.
- To identify common population health determinants and prevalent adverse health outcomes in the Appalachian Region.
- To categorize and analyze interventional studies aimed at mitigating health disparities.
Main Methods:
- A 2023 scoping review was performed on studies published within the last five years.
- Search strategy included geographic terms for Appalachia and key adverse health outcomes.
- Inclusion criteria focused on original articles assessing associations between population health determinants and major health outcomes in Appalachian populations.
Main Results:
- The review identified 221 research articles, including 30 interventional studies.
- Leading health outcomes were cancer (43.59%), diseases of despair (23.08%), and diabetes (12.82%).
- Most common determinants were access to care (27.3%), rurality (18.9%), and education (14.8%).
Conclusions:
- Findings can inform the development and evaluation of programs to improve Appalachian population health.
- The results will guide community discussions for strategic planning to reduce health disparities in Appalachian Virginia.
- Social and environmental determinants of health provide a framework for addressing regional health inequities.
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