Granular Insights From Local Data: Identifying Health Education Needs of Appalachia Kentucky

The Appalachian region faces persistent health disparities compared to other regions of Kentucky and the broader United States, making it essential to identify its local needs. Using survey data from the Extension statewide needs assessment collected in the fall of 2023 from 29,068 respondents, this study aimed to identify and compare the perceived health education needs of residents in the Appalachian and non-Appalachian regions of Kentucky with the overarching goal of gaining granular insights into their perceived health education priorities. Findings reveal that Appalachian residents report higher needs in health promotion, including food and nutrition, substance use recovery, housing, and disaster preparedness. In contrast, they express lower needs in climate and environmental topics and mixed interest in agriculture and food production. These findings are relevant to all entities addressing public health concerns and highlight the importance of incorporating localized input when identifying regional needs. This ensures interventions are relevant, enhancing the effectiveness of future public health practice and Extension programming.