Appalachians have been characterized as a population with numerous disparities in health and limited access to medical services and infrastructures, leading to inaccurate generalizations that inhibit their healthcare progress. Appalachians face significant challenges in obtaining effective care, and the public lacks information about both their healthcare needs and about the resources communities have developed to meet those needs.
In Appalachian Health and Well-Being, editors Robert L. Ludke and Phillip J. Obermiller bring together leading researchers and practitioners to provide a much-needed compilation of data- and research-driven perspectives, broadening our understanding of strategies to decrease the health inequalities affecting both rural and urban Appalachians. The contributors propose specific recommendations for necessary research, suggest practical solutions for health policy, and present best practices models for effective health intervention. This in-depth analysis offers new insights for students, health practitioners, and policy makers, promoting a greater understanding of the factors affecting Appalachian health and effective responses to those needs.
About the Author: -Carol S. Baugh, PhD is Coordinator, Appalachian Studies, Sinclair Community College, and Director, Fairborn Education Foundation and Alumni Association.-Bruce A. Behringer, MPH is Associate Vice President, Division of Health Science, East Tennessee State University.-Andrew C. Bernard, MD is Associate Professor of Surgery, Acute Care Surgery, Trauma and -Surgical Critical Care, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky.-Kristine Harper Bowers, BA is Research Assistant and Coordinator of Substance Abuse Projects, Office of Rural and Community Health and Community Partnerships, East Tennessee State University.-M. Kathryn Brown, PhD is an epidemiologist and a community health research consultant based in Cincinnati.-Eleanor Sue Cantrell, MD is Director, Lenowisco Health District, Virginia Department of Health.-Mark A. Carrozza, MA is Health Informatics Developer, The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati.-Jennifer Chubinski, MSPPM is Director, Community Research, The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati.-Julia F. Costich, MPA, JD, PhD is Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Health Services Management, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky.-Richard A. Couto is Distinguished Senior Scholar, Union Institute and University.-Richard J. Crout, DMD, PhD is Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Periodontics, School of Dentistry and Professor of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, West Virginia University.-Lisa Curtin, PhD is Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Appalachian State University. -Sharon A. Denham, DSN, RN is Professor, School of Nursing, Ohio University.-Mark B. Dignan, PhD, MPH is Director, Prevention Research Center, University of Kentucky.-Michael S. Dunn, PhD is Associate Professor of Health Promotion, Coastal Carolina University.-E. Kelly Firesheets, PsyD is Director, Grantee Evaluation Services, The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati.-James L. Fisher, PhD is Research Scientist, Ohio Cancer Registry, The Ohio State University Medical Center and Adjunct Assistant Professor, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University. -Gilbert H. Friedell, MD is Director Emeritus, Office of Rural and Community Health and Community Partnerships, Division of Health Sciences, East Tennessee State University.-Joel A. Halverson, PhD is Research Assistant Professor, Pharmaceutical Systems and Policy, School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University.-Michael S. Hendryx, PhD is Director, West Virginia Rural Health Research Center and Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, West Virginia University.-Ronnie D. Horner, PhD is Professor and Chair, Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati.-Mira L. Katz, PhD is Associate Professor, Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University.Paul A. Kearney, MD is Professor of Surgery and Section Head, Acute Care Surgery, Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky.Susan E. Keefe, PhD is Professor, Department of Anthropology, Appalachian State University.Evelyn A. Knight, PhD is Associate Professor, Department of Health Behavior, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky. Robert L. Ludke, PhD is Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine and Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati.Mary L. Marazita, PhD is Associate Dean of Research and Director, Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, Director, Professor, Human Genetics, Graduate School of Public Health, Professor, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, and Professor, Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh.Ann L. McCracken, PhD is the former Director of Evaluation, The Health Foundation of Greater CincinnatiJohn M. McLaughlin, PhD is Regional Medical Research Scientist and Director Outcomes Research, Specialty Medicines Development Group, Pfizer, Inc.Daniel W. McNeil, PhD is Professor, Clinical Psychology, Eberly Professor of Public Service, and Clinical Professor, Department of Dental Practice and Rural Health, West Virginia University.Melanie F. Myers, Ph.D, MS, CGC is Assistant Professor, Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, and Director, Genetic Counseling Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.Phillip J. Obermiller, PhD is a Senior Visiting Scholar, School of Planning, University of Cincinnati and Fellow, Appalachian Center, University of Kentucky.Electra D. Paskett, PhD is Marion N. Rowley Professor of Cancer Research and Director, Division of Cancer Control and Prevention, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Professor, Division of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, and Associate Director for Population Sciences, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University.Levi D. Procter, MD is with the Division of General Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky.Eric W. Rademacher, PhD is Co-Director, Institute for Policy Research, University of Cincinnati.Rebecca J. Schmidt, DO is Section Chief, Section on Nephrology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, West Virginia University.Shiloh K. Turner, MPA is Vice President for Community Investment, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation.Barbara B. Weaner, RN, MSN, RNC, FNP is a Nurse Practitioner, Section on Nephrology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, West Virginia University.Mary Ellen Wewers, PhD is Professor, Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University.
