Rural disparities in emergency department utilization for migraine care.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate differences in emergency department (ED) utilization and quality of care for migraine in patients with rural and nonrural residences. BACKGROUND: Migraine is a significant problem in the United States with direct health-care utilization cost amounting to US $4.2 billion annually. A considerable portion of this cost is attributed to more than 4 million annual ED visits for migraine and headache. Previous research has documented health disparities among rural populations in other disease states, which can be influenced by factors such as socioeconomic status and health-care access. Given these associations, it was hypothesized that patients with rural residence in a national sample would have increased ED utilization for migraine compared to patients with nonrural residence. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional epidemiologic study to evaluate rural disparities in ED utilization and quality of care for migraine in the United States in 2019. ED encounter data were collected from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) and Kentucky State Emergency Department Database (KY-SEDD). The primary outcome was crude and age-adjusted rates of ED encounters for migraine per 10,000 population. ED encounters were included if they had a primary International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis code of G43.xx. ED encounters lacking sufficient data to classify into a geographic group were excluded. Secondary outcomes examined differences in quality of care, including mean ED charges and the proportion of encounters with medication administration, imaging, and nerve block service codes between groups. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-three thousand two hundred eleven national ED discharges were classified as rural patient encounters and 627,176 were classified as nonrural. The rural group had significantly higher crude and age-adjusted rates of ED utilization for migraine (crude: rural 39.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 36.9-42.7; nonrural 22.2, 95% CI 21-23.5 and age-adjusted: rural 41.8, 95% CI 38.8-44.8; nonrural 23.4, 95% CI 22.1-24.7). Opioid utilization was higher in rural encounters (rural n = 26,764, 14.6%; nonrural n = 50,367, 8%; p < 0.001). A Kentucky sub-analysis found 5210 ED discharges were classified as Appalachian and 12,551 as non-Appalachian. The Appalachian group had significantly higher ED utilization rates for migraine compared to the non-Appalachian and national rural groups (crude: Appalachian 44.9, 95% CI 43.7-46.2; age-adjusted: Appalachian 47.4, 95% CI 46.1-48.8). The Kentucky Appalachian group also demonstrated significantly higher opioid analgesia use compared to the national rural group (Appalachian n = 1031, 19.8%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study suggests rural populations, particularly in Appalachia, may experience significantly higher ED utilization for migraine compared to nonrural patients. Moreover, rural populations were more likely to receive suboptimal migraine management with opioid analgesia. Multimodal health-care interventions should be developed to improve access to outpatient migraine care and further investigate potential risk factors in the rural population. With high ED utilization, the Appalachian population may benefit most from such an intervention.

Developing evolutionary anthropology in local ecosystems.

The traditional regional focus of evolutionary anthropology-typically defined as places where hominin fossils, nonhuman primates, and non-western populations reside-forms the basis of much evolutionary anthropological research. Using the highly biodiverse temperate region of Appalachia as an example, we suggest that evolutionary anthropologists have much to gain by stepping outside of this traditional geographic area. Being purposely provocative, we argue that evolutionary anthropologists might also benefit from conducting research in Appalachia and other temperate ecosystems. We briefly discuss multiple areas of study-including studies of seed dispersal, functional redundancy, convergent evolution, human behavioral ecology, and conservation-and how they can be considered within the purview of integrative and evolutionary anthropology. We also highlight broader impacts to higher education that evolutionary anthropologists can help promote by working in local ecosystems.

Factors Associated with Having Uncontrolled Asthma in Rural Appalachia.

BACKGROUND: Chronic respiratory disease disproportionately affects residents of Appalachia, particularly those residing in Central Appalachia. Asthma is particularly burdensome to Central Appalachian residents regarding cost and disability. Improving our understanding of how to mitigate these burdens requires understanding the factors influencing asthma control among individuals with asthma living in Central Appalachia, specifically rural Kentucky. METHODS: This community-based, cross-sectional epidemiologic study used survey data to identify characteristics associated with uncontrolled and controlled asthma. The designation of "uncontrolled asthma" was based on self-report of ≥ 2 asthma exacerbations in the past year. Individuals with ≤ 1 or no exacerbations were considered to have controlled asthma. Chi-square or Fisher exact tests assessed the association between categorical variables and asthma control categories. Logistic regression was conducted to determine the impact of factors on the likelihood of uncontrolled asthma. RESULTS: In a sample of 211 individuals with self-reported asthma, 29% (n = 61, 46 females) had uncontrolled asthma. Predictors of uncontrolled asthma included depression (odds ratio 2.61, 95% CI 1.22-5.61, P = .014) and living in multi-unit housing (odds ratio 4.99, 95% CI 1.47-16.96, P = .010) when controlling for age, sex, financial status, and occupation. Being overweight or obese was not a predictor of uncontrolled asthma. Physical activity and BMI did not predict the likelihood of uncontrolled asthma. CONCLUSION: This study highlights significant challenges rural communities in Appalachian Kentucky face in managing asthma. Factors like depression, housing conditions, and a lack of self-management strategies play pivotal roles in asthma control in this population.

The paradox of high greenness and poor health in rural Central Appalachia.

While many studies have found positive correlations between greenness and human health, rural Central Appalachia is an exception. The region has high greenness levels but poor health. The purpose of this commentary is to provide a possible explanation for this paradox: three sets of factors overwhelming or attenuating the health benefits of greenness. These include environmental (e.g., steep typography and limited access to green space used for outdoor recreation), social (e.g., chronic poverty, declining coal industry, and limited access to healthcare), and psychological and behavioral factors (e.g., perceptions about health behaviors, healthcare, and greenness). The influence of these factors on the expected health benefits of greenness should be considered as working hypotheses for future research. Policymakers and public health officials need to ensure that greenness-based interventions account for contextual factors and other determinants of health to ensure these interventions have the expected health benefits.

Point-of-use chlorine residuals and disinfection byproduct occurrences in rural households served by public water utilities in Appalachian Virginia.

We characterized concentrations of trihalomethanes (THMs), a measure of disinfection byproducts (DBPs), in tap water samples collected from households with utility-supplied water in two rural counties in Appalachian Virginia, and assessed associations with pH, free chlorine, and metal ions which can impact THM formation. Free chlorine concentrations in all samples (n = 27 homes) complied with EPA drinking water guidelines, though 7% (n = 2) of first draw samples and 11% (n = 3) of 5-min flushed-tap water samples exceeded the US Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) maximum contaminant level (MCL) for THM (80 ppb). Regression analyses showed that free chlorine and pH were positively associated with the formation of THM levels above SDWA MCLs (OR = 1.04, p = 0.97 and OR = 1.74, p = 0.79, respectively), while temperature was negatively associated (OR = 0.78, p = 0.38). Of the eight utilities serving study households, samples from water served by three different utilities exceeded the EPA MCL for THM. Overall, these findings do not indicate substantial exposures to DBPs for rural households with utility-supplied water in this region of southwest Virginia. However, given the observed variability in THM concentrations between and across utilities, and established adverse health impacts associated with chronic and acute DBP exposure, more research on DBPs in rural Central Appalachia is warranted.

In-Hospital Formula Supplementation in Appalachian Women Intending to Exclusively Breastfeed.

OBJECTIVE: In-hospital formula supplementation places infants at risk for early breastfeeding cessation. The study's aim was to identify predictive and protective factors for in-hospital formula supplementation in individuals documented as wanting to exclusively breastfeed and residing in a geographic region with adverse social determinants of health and low breastfeeding rates. Additionally, we wished to determine if lactation consultation served as a protective factor against supplementation. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we retrospectively reviewed 500 randomly selected charts of newborns born in a 12 month period at a regional tertiary care hospital. We included healthy, full-term neonates having a recorded maternal decision to exclusively breastfeed. Maternal-newborn dyad characteristics were compared between those exclusively breastfeeding and those with in-hospital formula supplementation. RESULTS: Of the 500 charts, 70% of individuals desired to exclusively breastfeed. Overall, 41% of breastfed newborns were supplemented with formula before discharge, and 32% of women met with lactation consultants prior to supplementation. No statistically significant association was present between exclusive breastfeeding at discharge and meeting with a hospital lactation consultant (p = 0.55). When controlling for the confounders of maternal demographics and lactation consultation, significant associations with formula supplementation included Cesarean delivery (odd ratio: 2.08, 95% confidence interval: 1.04-4.16), primiparity (2.48, 1.27-4.87), and high school level of education (2.78, 1.33-5.78). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal characteristics of high school level educational, primiparity, and Caesarean delivery place individuals at risk for in-hospital formula supplementation in individuals wishing to exclusively breastfeed. Addressing barriers to exclusive breastfeeding is essential to enhance maternal and newborn health equity.

Is peer support a tipping point for the opioid use disorder crisis in Appalachia? Research holds the answer.

BACKGROUND: The present commentary highlights the pressing need for systematic research to assess the implementation and effectiveness of medications for opioid use disorder, used in conjunction with peer recovery support services, to improve treatment outcomes for individuals with opioid use disorder in Central Appalachia. This region, encompassing West Virginia, Eastern Kentucky, Southwest Virginia, East Tennessee, and Western North Carolina, has long grappled with a disproportionate burden of the opioid crisis. Due to a complex interplay of cultural, socioeconomic, medical, and geographic factors, individuals in Central Appalachia face challenges in maintaining treatment and recovery efforts, leading to lower success rates. APPROACH: To address the issue, we apply an exploratory approach, looking at the intersection of unique regional factors with the utilization of medications for opioid use disorder, in conjunction with peer recovery support services. This combined treatment strategy shows promise in addressing crucial needs in opioid use disorder treatment and enhancing the recovery journey. However, there are significant evidence gaps that need to be addressed to validate the expected value of incorporating peer support into this treatment strategy. CONCLUSION: We identify nine obstacles and offer recommendations to address the gaps and advance peer recovery support services research. These recommendations include the establishment of specific partnerships and infrastructure for community-engaged, peer recovery support research; improved allocation of funding and resources to implement evidence-based practices such as peer support and medication-assisted treatment; developing a more precise definition of peer roles and their integration across the treatment and recovery spectrum; and proactive efforts to combat stigma through outreach and education.

Opioid Overdoses and Take-Home Naloxone Interventions: Ethnographic Evidence for Individual-Level Barriers to Treatment of Opioid Use Disorders in Rural Appalachia.

Introduction: Research indicates that take-home naloxone (THN) is saving lives across rural Appalachia, but whether it also results in treatment for opioid use disorders (OUDs) remains unclear. This study involves a detailed qualitative analysis of interviews with 16 individuals who had overdosed on opioids 61 times to understand why a THN intervention does not routinely lead to OUD treatment. Methods: This study builds upon a one-year (2018) qualitative study on community responses to opioid overdose fatalities in four adjacent rural counties in Western Pennsylvania. Using a semi-structured interview guide, 16 individuals who had experienced one or more overdoses were interviewed. Using NVivo, the transcribed audio-recorded interviews were coded, and a thematic analysis of the coded text was conducted. Findings: Findings reveal that of the 29 overdoses that included a THN intervention, only eight resulted in treatment. The analysis derives five individual-level barriers to treatment: (1) opioid dependence, (2) denial/readiness, (3) opioid withdrawal fears, (4) incarceration concerns, and (5) stigma and shame. These barriers impeded treatment, even though all the interviewees knew of treatment programs, how to access them, and in some cases had undergone treatment previously. Discussion and Conclusion: findings indicate that there is evidence that the five barriers make entering treatment after a THN intervention challenging and seemingly insurmountable at times. Recommendations based on the findings include increasing efforts to reduce stigma of OUDs in the community, including self-stigma resulting from misusing opioids, increasing informational efforts about Good Samaritan Laws, and increasing familiarity with medication-assisted treatments for OUDS.

Geographic Barriers to Indexing: Examining Appalachia.

The objective of this study was to examine the accuracy of indexing for "Appalachian Region"[Mesh]. Researchers performed a search in PubMed for articles published in 2019 using "Appalachian Region"[Mesh] or "Appalachia" or "Appalachian" in the title or abstract. Only 17.88% of the articles retrieved by the search were about Appalachia according to the ARC definition. Most articles retrieved appeared because they were indexed with state terms that were included as part of the mesh term. Database indexing and searching transparency is of growing importance as indexers rely increasingly on automated systems to catalog information and publications.

Health Disparities in Appalachian and Other Rural Communities.

Rural areas are home to a larger proportion of older adults and populations who age within these locales and suffer disproportionately from health, mental health, and economic disparities compared to their urban counterparts. This article will explore the disparities faced by persons that reside in rural communities across the lifespan. It will briefly discuss what is meant by rural. As a rural region at specific risk, the issues confronting those aging in Appalachia will be examined. Finally, best practices and future directions to combat health disparities among rural residents and elders will be discussed. This includes the Appalachian Gerontology Experiences: Advancing Diversity in Aging Research training program which recruits and trains minority and first-generation undergraduate students in aging and health disparity research.

Availability of Certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners in Appalachian States.

INTRODUCTION: Sexual assault nurse examiners are crucial care providers in cases of sexual assault. However, it is not clear whether sexual assault nurse examiner availability differs throughout the 13 states that comprise the Appalachian region of the United States. Therefore, this cross-sectional analysis identified sexual assault nurse examiner availability in 13 states and determined differences in availability by both county-level Appalachian status and county-level rurality status. METHODS: Data were downloaded from 2 public sexual assault nurse examiner registries for the included 13 states. Descriptive statistics of sexual assault nurse examiner certification type and availability by state were calculated. In addition, bivariate analyses of sexual assault nurse examiner availability by rurality and by Appalachian status were performed using 2-sample z-tests for equality of proportions. RESULTS: State-level sexual assault nurse examiner availability ranged from 0.34 to 0.86 sexual assault nurse examiners per 100,000 residents. Sexual assault nurse examiner availability in these 13 states did not differ by Appalachian status. However, rural areas had significantly lower sexual assault nurse examiner availability than urban areas in these 13 states. DISCUSSION: These data support previous literature on the need for stronger sexual assault nurse examiner programs in rural areas in the United States. Future research should take sexual assault prevalence into account to determine whether local sexual assault nurse examiner access needs, as well as appropriate support for sexual assault nurse examiners, are being met throughout Appalachian states.

"They either leave you or they get involved in it": Familial factors influencing drug use amongst Appalachian people.

West Virginia, the only state entirely in Appalachia, is considered the epicenter of the opioid crisis. Children raised in families affected by opioid use disorder can develop their own substance use disorder later in life. The continuing opioid crisis coupled with social and health disparities suggest families in West Virginia are vulnerable to generational cycles of substance misuse. This qualitative study uses content analysis to present emergent themes discerned from participant interviews on the opioid epidemic and impacts of a restrictive opioid prescribing law in West Virginia. Participants in this study described how using opioids has impacted their lives, their family, and community. They recognized drug use was embedded along familial groups and influenced by significant others such as partners or peers. Parents described how children were a strong motivator for recovery and how they felt remorse for exposing their children to their drug use. This study highlights the importance of community engagement, parental support, and early identification of vulnerable young people to lessen the intergenerational continuance of substance use.

Influence of depression on breast cancer treatment and survival: A Kentucky population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Depression is common among breast cancer patients and can affect concordance with guideline-recommended treatment plans. Yet, the impact of depression on cancer treatment and survival is understudied, particularly in relation to the timing of the depression diagnosis. METHODS: The Kentucky Cancer Registry data was used to identify female patients diagnosed with primary invasive breast cancer who were 20 years of age or older in 2007-2011. Patients were classified as having no depression, depression pre-cancer diagnosis only, depression post- cancer diagnosis only, or persistent depression. The impact of depression on receiving guideline-recommended treatment and survival was examined using multivariable logistic regression and Cox regression, respectively. RESULTS: Of 6054 eligible patients, 4.1%, 3.7%, and 6.2% patients had persistent depression, depression pre-diagnosis only, and depression post-diagnosis only, respectively. A total of 1770 (29.2%) patients did not receive guideline-recommended cancer treatment. Compared to patients with no depression, the odds of receiving guideline-recommended treatment were decreased in patients with depression pre-diagnosis only (odds ratio [OR], 0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54-1.04) but not in patients with post-diagnosis only or persistent depression. Depression post-diagnosis only (hazard ratio, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.24-1.83) and depression pre-diagnosis only (hazard ratio, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.99-1.59) were associated with worse survival. No significant difference in survival was found between patients with persistent depression and patients with no depression (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Neglecting depression management after a breast cancer diagnosis may result in poorer cancer treatment concordance and worse survival. Early detection and consistent management of depression is critical in improving patient survival.

Adult asthma associated with roadway density and housing in rural Appalachia: the Mountain Air Project (MAP).

BACKGROUND: Appalachian Kentucky is a rural area with a high prevalence of asthma among adults. The relative contribution of environmental exposures in the etiology of adult asthma in these populations has been understudied. OBJECTIVE: This manuscript describes the aims, study design, methods, and characteristics of participants for the Mountain Air Project (MAP), and focuses on associations between small area environmental exposures, including roadways and mining operations, and lifetime and current asthma in adults. METHODS: A cohort of residents, aged 21 and older, in two Kentucky counties, was enrolled in a community-based, cross-sectional study. Stratified cluster sampling was used to select small geographic areas denoted as 14-digit USGS hydrologic units (HUCs). Households were enumerated within selected HUCs. Community health workers collected in-person interviews. The proximity of nearby active and inactive coal mining operations, density of oil and gas operations, and density of roadways were characterized for all HUCs. Poisson regression analyses were used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios. RESULTS: From 1,459 eligible households contacted, 1,190 individuals were recruited, and 972 persons completed the interviews. The prevalence of lifetime asthma was 22.8%; current asthma was 16.3%. Adjusting for covariates, roadway density was positively associated with current asthma in the second (aPR = 1.61; 95% CI 1.04-2.48) and third tertiles (aPR = 2.00; 95% CI 1.32-3.03). Increased risk of current asthma was associated with residence in public, multi-unit housing (aPR = 2.01; 95% CI 1.27-3.18) compared to a residence in a single-family home. There were no notable associations between proximity to coal mining and oil and gas operations and asthma prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that residents in rural areas with higher roadway density and those residing in public housing units may be at increased risk for current asthma after accounting for other known risk factors. Confirming the role of traffic-related particulates in producing high asthma risk among adults in this study contributes to the understanding of the multiple environmental exposures that influence respiratory health in the Appalachia region.

Examining Contextual Influences Affecting health-related Quality of life Among under-resourced Appalachian Patients Attending pop-up Medical Clinics.

Appalachian residents face substantial barriers to accessing health care and these barriers have negative ramifications for this community's health-related quality of life (HRQoL) [1, 2]. Pop-up medical clinics address some of these barriers by offering a range of free health care services throughout Appalachia. Although these services are undoubtedly helpful, information on how these clinics may be linked to HRQoL changes among under-resourced communities is limited. The present study is among the first to examine how (1) individuals attending pop-up medical clinics present on HRQoL indicators, (2) how HRQoL changes 3-months post-clinic, and (3) how individual, social, and community factors interact with HRQoL at presentation and change in HRQoL 3-months post-clinic. Data were collected from 243 individuals attending one of seven pop-up medical clinics across Central, South Central, and Southern Appalachia. During the week of the clinic, participants completed a survey assessing individual, social, and community factors as well as HRQoL variables (i.e., overall health, depressive symptoms, pain, sleep quality, and several physical symptoms). Participants completed the same survey 3-months post-clinic. Results revealed that baseline individual, social, and community factors were predictive of HRQoL indicators at baseline; individual and social factors also uniquely predicted change in HRQoL at 3-months post-clinic. Within the Social Ecological Framework, these data emphasize the significance of individual and social level factors on an individual's HRQoL. Clinical implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Factors Associated with Non-Evidence-Based Overdose Responses among People Who Use Prescription Opioids Non-Medically in Rural Appalachia.

Background: Opioid-related overdose deaths recently accelerated. In response, overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) has been implemented widely, though access remains sparse in rural Appalachia. Despite increasing OEND, risk factors for non-evidence-based overdose responses among the training-naïve remain unknown. Methods: We enrolled 169 adults who use prescription opioids non-medically and reside in rural West Virginia (August 2014-March 2015). Participants were interviewed about witnessing overdose (lifetime and prior-year), characteristics of the most recent overdose, responses to the overdose, and OEND acceptability. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with non-evidence-based responses to overdose. Results: Among the 73 participants who witnessed an opioid-related overdose, the majority (n = 53, 73%) reported any non-evidence-based responses. Participants were significantly more likely to report a non-evidence-based response when victims were unresponsive (OR = 3.36; 95% CI = 1.07, 10.58). Common evidence-based responses included staying with the victim until help arrived (n = 66, 90%) and calling 911 (n = 63, 86%), while the most common non-evidence-based responses were hitting or slapping the victim (n = 37, 51%) and rubbing the victim with ice or placing them in a cold shower or bath (n = 14, 19%). While most (n = 60, 82%) had never heard of OEND, the majority (n = 69, 95%) were willing to train, particularly those reporting non-evidence-based responses (n = 52, 98%). Conclusions: These findings underscore the need to expand access to OEND in rural communities and indicate OEND is acceptable to training-naïve individuals who use opioids in rural Appalachia. Given the "harm reduction deserts" in the region, approaches to expand OEND should be pursued.

Development and Evaluation of Patient Navigation Training for Rural and Appalachian Populations.

The Appalachian region of the USA includes 423 counties in 13 states positioned along the spine of the Appalachian Mountains stretching from New York to Mississippi. Approximately 42% of Appalachia is rural, and while the economy of Appalachia has diversified over the past two decades from reliance on agriculture and coal mining, 176 (41.6%) of the 423 counties are classified as economically distressed or at-risk. Patient navigation (PN) has been shown to be effective as an approach to address multiple barriers and enhance access to healthcare services, and yet there are no known PN programs focusing on the Appalachian population. This project was designed to develop, implement, and evaluate a curriculum and training program for PN for cancer prevention and control in Appalachia. The training program was developed through formative evaluation and offered daylong workshops that provided instruction in 60-90-min modules. Workshop topics included an introduction to PN, Appalachian culture, community needs assessment, communication, financial navigation, and navigation for screening and diagnostic follow-up for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers. A total of 20 workshops were conducted with 334 attendees. The workshops were evaluated using a mixed-method approach using pre- and posttests and participant evaluations. The overall mean posttest scores increased by 4% from pretest (p < 0.05). Evaluation also showed that attendees valued the focus on Appalachian culture and judged the content relevant and useful. Attendees also expressed interest in additional opportunities for similar workshops that expanded upon current topics and allowed for exploration of Appalachian health-related issues.

Examining Psychological and Knowledge Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening in Rural Appalachian Kentucky.

While recent rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening have improved in Appalachian Kentucky due to public health efforts, they remain lower compared to both KY as a whole, and the USA. Suboptimal screening rates represent a missed opportunity to engage in early detection and prevention. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact that lack of knowledge has on psychological barriers (e.g., fear and embarrassment) to CRC screening as well as the potential effect of a psychosocial intervention to reduce these barriers. Participants were recruited through faith-based organizations and other community sites. After randomizing participants to either an early or delayed group, a faith-based group education and motivational interviewing intervention was administered. Existing and pilot tested instruments were used to assess knowledge and potential psychological barriers. Data were analyzed using paired t tests and linear regression. We hypothesized that (1) psychological barriers are associated with inadequate knowledge and (2) the intervention, by improving knowledge, could reduce these barriers and increase screening rates. There was a small but significant reduction in psychological barriers (-0.11, p value = 0.015) and moderate increases in CRC knowledge scores (+0.17, p value = 0.06). There was no evidence that the intervention affected these measures (+0.10, p value = 0.58). The relationship between lower barrier scores and increased knowledge was significant at follow up (-0.05, 95% CI (-0.09, -0.00)). An increase in CRC knowledge was correlated with a small but significant decrease in psychological barriers, although there was no evidence that these changes were associated with one another. Future cognitive-based interventions may be effective in increasing CRC knowledge and reducing barriers, but new intervention approaches should be considered.

Using Culturally Focused Storytelling to Empower Appalachian Kentucky Youth to Understand and Address Cancer Disparities in Their Communities.

Kentucky has the highest cancer incidence and mortality rates in the nation with the Appalachian region of the state being most affected. These rates are driven by health behaviors and inequities in social determinants of health. Herein, Appalachian Kentucky students with the University of Kentucky's Appalachian Career Training in Oncology (ACTION) program were engaged in a storytelling exercise by writing culturally framed essays. Students discussed their personal experiences with cancer and their thoughts on the causes of and potential solutions to Appalachian Kentucky's cancer disparities. Content analysis was used to identify common themes, subthemes, and subtopics in the essays regarding cancer types, causes of cancer in Appalachia, and solutions to the high cancer rates. Common cancer types experienced by the students included breast, lung, and prostate. The most frequently identified themes that drive cancer rates in Appalachian Kentucky were identified as geography, environmental factors, tobacco use, education, poverty, prevention, and mistrust. Common proposed solutions to decrease cancer rates were to increase education and awareness, screening, and tobacco cessation. Overall, through storytelling, youth gained a better understanding of cancer in their communities and envisioned culturally tailored, community-based intervention strategies that can aid in reducing the cancer burden in Appalachian Kentucky.

Impact of the Appalachian Career Training in Oncology (ACTION) Program on Undergraduate Participants.

Kentucky ranks first in the nation in cancer incidence and mortality. The Appalachian region of the state experiences the highest cancer disparities due to inequities in many social determinants of health. As a strategy for addressing cancer and education disparities in the region, the Appalachian Career Training in Oncology (ACTION) Program at the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center engaged 16 Appalachian-native undergraduate student participants annually in cancer-related activities. Students were recruited on an annual basis for the 2-year ACTION program. Entry, mid-point, and exit surveys were administered to participants. Classical test theory and exploratory factor analysis were used to examine the instruments used for program evaluation, whereas repeated measures ANOVA, paired t-tests, chi-squared, and post hoc analyses were used to analyze 6 years of survey data. There was a significant increase in participants' understanding of cancer-related topics among the entry, midpoint, and exit surveys (p < .001) and a significant increase in comfort with research, clinical, and outreach activities between entry and midpoint and entry and exit (p < .001), but not between midpoint and exit. With respect to research skills and perceptions of the program, increases in mean scores were observed between midpoint and exit, but these increases were not statistically significant (p = .167, p = 223, respectively). ACTION increased participants' understanding of cancer-related topics; comfort with research, clinical, and outreach activities; and research skills. These data suggest that ACTION has a significant impact on participants.