The Road to Access: Addressing Transportation Challenges in Rural Primary Care.

Central Appalachia's coal fields are the site of health disparities influenced by social determinants of health including poverty and isolation, compounded by transportation barriers to health care. In this study, we conducted two surveys among patients at a rural federally qualified health center (FQHC) to evaluate the health and financial ramifications of transportation barriers to primary care. Our findings indicate that patients facing transportation barriers rely disproportionately on emergency department services or hospitalization.

The CATCH My Breath Vaping Prevention Curriculum: An Evaluation of Impacts in Central Appalachian Middle and High Schools, 2019-2023.

Introduction/objectives: Since 2015, the rise in e-cigarette use among youth has concerned public health authorities. After peaking in 2019, usage rates have declined but remain high. In 2023, 10% of high school and 4.

Navigating coverage: A qualitative study exploring the perceived impact of an insurance company policy to discontinue coverage of antiobesity medication.

Introduction: Obesity rates continue to rise in the United States. Treatment includes modification of diet, exercise, behavioral modification and medical consideration including anti-obesity medications. However, multiple highly effective anti-obesity medications are expensive and with that we see insurers opting out of coverage of these medications.

A Health Information Technology Protocol to Enhance Colorectal Cancer Screening.

This study addresses barriers to electronic health records-based colorectal cancer screening and follow-up in primary care through the development and implementation of a health information technology protocol.

Access to MAT: Participants' Experiences With Transportation, Non-Emergency Transportation, and Telehealth.

Introduction: Access to medication assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD) in the United States is a significant challenge for many individuals attempting to recover and improve their lives. Access to treatment is especially challenging in rural areas characterized by lack of programs, few prescribers, and transportation barriers. This study aims to better understand the roles that transportation, Medicaid-funded non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT), and telehealth play in facilitating access to MAT in West Virginia (WV).