Writing for the Journal: A Guide for Community-Based Organizations.

The welcomes submissions from a variety of stakeholders interested in and contributing to improvement of health across the Appalachian Region. This editorial provides basic guidelines for those working in community settings who may with to make (or any other journal) their publication home.

Using Public Funeral and Obituary Listings to Identify Spikes in Excess Mortality in One Appalachian County.

Introduction: Delays (10-22 months) in availability of official state and county-level mortality data could have significant public health consequences. The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated the need for health officials to access timely death data to identify unexpected increases in mortality in their communities.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine if funeral home listings and/or newspaper obituaries could help identify excess mortality on the local level, prior to the availability of official death records.

We Welcome Findings from Further Afield.

For the past five years, the has published timely, high-quality research from within Appalachia. We also welcome submissions from those working outside of Appalachia who produce quality research of direct relevance to our region.

The Ninth Myth of Appalachia.

Many stereotypes afflict our much-maligned region, and the Jonesborough-Washington County History Museum displays eight of these "myths of Appalachia." Here, our Editor-in-Chief suggests a ninth-that the people of Appalachia "do not care" about their health-and argues that regional health disparities result not from apathy but from a confluence of socioeconomic factors.