A Comprehensive Look at Environmental Factors Affecting Chronic Health in Coal-Dependent Appalachian Communities |Biomedgrid

Health disparity and poverty are prevalent in central Appalachian communities. Literature on health in rural communities is sparse, yet a prolific group of researchers associated coal production with high prevalence rates of chronic conditions. The aim of this research was to provide a fair, comprehensive and thorough assessment of health in rural, coal dependent communities. A three-phase study was developed with the objective of identifying demographic, geographic, economic, and social determinants of health contributing to high rates of common chronic health conditions in regions of southern Virginia. A systematic data collection tool designed for objective evaluation allowed for assessment of published literature on coal, health, and Appalachia. Analysis of mortality records from the Virginia Department of Health generated chronic disease prevalence. For the third phase, a more granular, targeted approach employed a cross-sectional study to capture de-identified electronic medical record information.