https://muse.jhu.edu/journal/748 Project MUSE®: Latest articles in Journal of Appalachian Health. daily 1 2026-05-14T00:00:00-05:00 text/html en-US Vol. 1 (2019) - vol. 3 (2021) Latest Articles: Journal of Appalachian Health TWO Project MUSE® Journal of Appalachian Health 2641-7804 Latest articles in Journal of Appalachian Health. Feed provided by Project MUSE® https://muse.jhu.edu/article/837697 <p></p> Food insecurity means lacking regular access, in socially acceptable ways, to an adequate, nutritious, safe diet that promotes an active and healthy life.1 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers the Adult Food Security Survey (AFSS) annually2 to measure the food security status of the adult population. Respondents are classified along a continuum from high to very low food secure. Questions assess the quantity, quality, variety, and desirability of their available food supply. In 2020, the rate of food insecurity (combined low and very low) was 10.5%, and that of very low food security was 3.9%.3 Groups with food insecurity rates exceeding the national average were households with children, single ... <a href="https://muse.jhu.edu/article/837708">Read More</a> Project MUSE® https://muse.jhu.edu/ 2026-05-14T00:00:00-05:00 https://muse.jhu.edu/journal/748/image/coversmall Comparisons of Cooking, Dietary, and Food Safety Characteristics of Food Secure and Food Insecure Sophomores at a University in Appalachia 2021-11-24 text/html en-US Comparisons of Cooking, Dietary, and Food Safety Characteristics of Food Secure and Food Insecure Sophomores at a University in Appalachia 2021-11-24 2021 TWO Project MUSE® 102865 2026-05-14T00:00:00-05:00 2021-11-24 https://muse.jhu.edu/article/837698 <p></p> Universities have experienced major educational disruption and have undergone radical operational transformations in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, with shifts to online learning, greater reliance on digital technologies, and social distancing. The dramatic changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have been shown to increase risk of negative mental health symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, in university students, faculty, and staff.1&#x2013;3 Although studies have helped elucidate the mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, few studies have focused on universities located in rural Appalachia.1 Rural Appalachia is a traditionally underserved population that is burdened with ... <a href="https://muse.jhu.edu/article/837708">Read More</a> Project MUSE® https://muse.jhu.edu/ 2026-05-14T00:00:00-05:00 https://muse.jhu.edu/journal/748/image/coversmall COVID-19 Experiences, Behaviors, Beliefs, and Well-Being Among Students and Employees at a University In Rural Appalachia A Cross-Sectional Study 2021-11-24 text/html en-US COVID-19 Experiences, Behaviors, Beliefs, and Well-Being Among Students and Employees at a University In Rural Appalachia A Cross-Sectional Study 2021-11-24 2021 TWO Project MUSE® 75137 2026-05-14T00:00:00-05:00 2021-11-24 https://muse.jhu.edu/article/837699 <p></p> By many indicators, health outcomes in Appalachia are worse than other parts of the country. Numerous studies have compared health status within the 420 counties designated as Appalachian to those outside of the federally defined political boundaries. For example, the Appalachian Regional Commission found that, in 33 out of 41 health indicators, Appalachia performed worse than the national average.1 These indicators include those related to mental health such as depression and as well as those related to physical health conditions such as diabetes. Explanations for these health disparities include individual behaviors and those that are more systemic such as socioeconomic conditions and access to care.2Addressing ... <a href="https://muse.jhu.edu/article/837708">Read More</a> Project MUSE® https://muse.jhu.edu/ 2026-05-14T00:00:00-05:00 https://muse.jhu.edu/journal/748/image/coversmall Access to Health Care in Appalachia Perception and Reality 2021-11-24 text/html en-US Access to Health Care in Appalachia Perception and Reality 2021-11-24 2021 TWO Project MUSE® 51197 2026-05-14T00:00:00-05:00 2021-11-24 https://muse.jhu.edu/article/837700 <p></p> Smith BE. Digging our own graves: Coal miners and the struggle over black lung disease. Haymarket Books, 2020Cost: $19.95 paperback, $18.99 e-Edition, $41.66 HardcoverISBN 10: 1642592757 / ISBN 13: 9781642592757Michael McCawley, PhD, is an Associate Professor at West Virginia University in the School of Public Health. He is also a retired researcher with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Most recently he was a panelist for the National Academies of Science, Medicine, and Engineering report on Monitoring and Sampling Approaches to Assess Underground Coal Mine Dust Exposures, investigating the causes of the recent increases in black lung cases seen in the Appalachian coal fields.Barbara Ellen ... <a href="https://muse.jhu.edu/article/837708">Read More</a> Project MUSE® https://muse.jhu.edu/ 2026-05-14T00:00:00-05:00 https://muse.jhu.edu/journal/748/image/coversmall Review of: Digging Our Own Graves Coal Miners and the Struggle Over Black Lung Disease 2021-11-24 text/html en-US Review of: Digging Our Own Graves Coal Miners and the Struggle Over Black Lung Disease 2021-11-24 2021 TWO Project MUSE® 9152 2026-05-14T00:00:00-05:00 2021-11-24 https://muse.jhu.edu/article/837701 <p></p> Almost 2 decades before the invention of the microscope, British Physician John Snow conducted a series of investigations that highlighted the importance of time, place, and person in the etiology of disease. Since the 1800s this traditional triad of descriptive epidemiology has allowed for effective interventions to deal with epidemics. A focus on time, place, and person also provides a critical framework for interventions in controlling the epidemic by focusing on those populations with the highest risk for disease.Jessica Johnson and her colleagues at West Virginia University1 have examined the impact of COVID-19 on West Virginians, in one of the research reports in this issue of the Journal of Appalachian ... <a href="https://muse.jhu.edu/article/837708">Read More</a> Project MUSE® https://muse.jhu.edu/ 2026-05-14T00:00:00-05:00 https://muse.jhu.edu/journal/748/image/coversmall The Importance of Time, Place, and Person: Applying Elementary Epidemiology to COVID-19 Outcomes in Rural Appalachia 2021-11-24 text/html en-US The Importance of Time, Place, and Person: Applying Elementary Epidemiology to COVID-19 Outcomes in Rural Appalachia 2021-11-24 2021 TWO Project MUSE® 9094 2026-05-14T00:00:00-05:00 2021-11-24 https://muse.jhu.edu/article/837702 <p></p> Hearing loss is a major global public health problem. According to the 2021 World Report on Hearing, approximately 1.5 billion people, including adults and children, worldwide have hearing loss.1 It currently represents the third most prevalent chronic health condition among adults within the U.S.2 Children with hearing loss, either of congenital or acquired causes, are at risk for delayed language development.3 Undiagnosed and untreated hearing loss causes a negative impact on the social, occupational, cognitive, and emotional well-being of those affected.4,5 There is a significant global financial impact, as well, with nearly $980 billion in yearly economic losses due to hearing loss.1 Unfortunately, as is the ... <a href="https://muse.jhu.edu/article/837708">Read More</a> Project MUSE® https://muse.jhu.edu/ 2026-05-14T00:00:00-05:00 https://muse.jhu.edu/journal/748/image/coversmall Hearing Health Healthcare Disparities in Appalachia 2021-11-24 text/html en-US Hearing Health Healthcare Disparities in Appalachia 2021-11-24 2021 TWO Project MUSE® 26167 2026-05-14T00:00:00-05:00 2021-11-24 https://muse.jhu.edu/article/837703 <p></p> Research of the clinical characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains an important area of study. This information aids in understanding the compounding risk factors of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19, and its effects on different populations. This work helps improve treatment and identify vaccination target groups for public health workers.Since the spread of the pandemic to the U.S., chronic conditions including diabetes, hypertension, obesity, chronic lung disease, and cardiovascular disease as well as a history of smoking have all been identified as independent risk factors for severe ... <a href="https://muse.jhu.edu/article/837708">Read More</a> Project MUSE® https://muse.jhu.edu/ 2026-05-14T00:00:00-05:00 https://muse.jhu.edu/journal/748/image/coversmall The Compounding Effect of Rurality on Health Disparities Among Black Patients with COVID-19 2021-11-24 text/html en-US The Compounding Effect of Rurality on Health Disparities Among Black Patients with COVID-19 2021-11-24 2021 TWO Project MUSE® 85110 2026-05-14T00:00:00-05:00 2021-11-24 https://muse.jhu.edu/article/837704 <p></p> Approximately 21.7% of U.S. adults are affected by hearing loss, which negatively impacts oral communication.1,2 Hearing loss restricts audibility of soft sounds and degrades the quality of louder sounds, thereby taxing the listener&#39;s cognitive resources during conversation.2 Hearing loss leads to a withdrawal of activities and participation and reduces the quality of life.2,3 Those who reported difficulty with hearing scored more than twice as high on depression scales.1Hearing loss treatment has been shown to increase activity participation and overall quality of life.4,5 Age-related and noise-induced hearing loss may be treated by audiologists or hearing aid dispensers. These types of hearing loss are typically ... <a href="https://muse.jhu.edu/article/837708">Read More</a> Project MUSE® https://muse.jhu.edu/ 2026-05-14T00:00:00-05:00 https://muse.jhu.edu/journal/748/image/coversmall Perceived Hearing Loss and Availability of Audiologists in Appalachia 2021-11-24 text/html en-US Perceived Hearing Loss and Availability of Audiologists in Appalachia 2021-11-24 2021 TWO Project MUSE® 76370 2026-05-14T00:00:00-05:00 2021-11-24 https://muse.jhu.edu/article/837705 <p></p> Motor vehicle crashes are a major concern globally, as well as in the U.S., due to the irreversible impacts on human loss and property damage. In 2018, 36,560 people in the U.S. were killed in motor vehicle crashes.1 One of the most severe motor vehicle crash events is a rollover; rollover crashes cause more injuries and fatalities than other crash types, even though they account for a low proportion of all crashes.2,3 A total of 6358 passenger vehicle crashes were involved in a rollover during 2019, but rollovers accounted for nearly 28% of all passenger vehicle crash deaths.4 The number of deaths due to motor vehicle crashes in West Virginia (WV) during 2019 was 260, which is an 11.6% decrease from 294 deaths in ... <a href="https://muse.jhu.edu/article/837708">Read More</a> Project MUSE® https://muse.jhu.edu/ 2026-05-14T00:00:00-05:00 https://muse.jhu.edu/journal/748/image/coversmall Risk Factors Associated with Passenger Vehicle Fatal Rollover Crashes in West Virginia, 2001–2018 2021-11-24 text/html en-US Risk Factors Associated with Passenger Vehicle Fatal Rollover Crashes in West Virginia, 2001–2018 2021-11-24 2021 TWO Project MUSE® 83032 2026-05-14T00:00:00-05:00 2021-11-24 https://muse.jhu.edu/article/837707 <p></p> Internet-enabled technologies have made it possible for users to more easily communicate with healthcare providers, obtain health information, and manage their health.1,2 However, access to these technologies is not universal. Although the Internet has become an important source of health information for most Americans,3 research has found that populations most impacted by health disparities also face inequities related to Internet access and use of technology to obtain health information.1,2 These health- and technology-related disparities may be particularly acute in rural U.S. communities.Rural populations tend to be older, of lower socioeconomic status (SES), and have worse health outcomes than urban ... <a href="https://muse.jhu.edu/article/837708">Read More</a> Project MUSE® https://muse.jhu.edu/ 2026-05-14T00:00:00-05:00 https://muse.jhu.edu/journal/748/image/coversmall Access to and Use of Technology for Health: Comparisons Between Appalachian Kentuckians and the General U.S. Population 2021-11-24 text/html en-US Access to and Use of Technology for Health: Comparisons Between Appalachian Kentuckians and the General U.S. Population 2021-11-24 2021 TWO Project MUSE® 64355 2026-05-14T00:00:00-05:00 2021-11-24 https://muse.jhu.edu/article/837708 <p></p> Nonmedical prescription opioid use is concentrated in areas of the U.S. with large rural populations, including Appalachian PA.1&#x2013;3 Similarly, the Appalachian region has substantially higher overdose mortality rates compared to the non-Appalachian U.S.4 To curtail the morbidity and mortality associated with problematic opioid use (opioid use disorder, or OUD) and overdose, a wide spectrum of OUD care and overdose prevention options exist, ranging from abstinence-based recovery to harm reduction strategies. Rural communities face barriers to opioid treatment from lack of treatment services, stigma and privacy concerns, increased economic deprivation, geographic barriers, and greater availability of opioids compared ... <a href="https://muse.jhu.edu/article/837708">Read More</a> Project MUSE® https://muse.jhu.edu/ 2026-05-14T00:00:00-05:00 https://muse.jhu.edu/journal/748/image/coversmall Understanding Polarizing Community Perspectives on Harm Reduction Strategies: Challenges to Addressing the Opioid Crisis in Appalachian Pennsylvania 2021-11-24 text/html en-US Understanding Polarizing Community Perspectives on Harm Reduction Strategies: Challenges to Addressing the Opioid Crisis in Appalachian Pennsylvania 2021-11-24 2021 TWO Project MUSE® 74052 2026-05-14T00:00:00-05:00 2021-11-24