Factors Associated with Physical Activity Increases and Decreases Among a Sample of Appalachian Residents During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Physical activity (PA) can prevent and reduce the deleterious physical and mental health effects of COVID-19 and associated lockdowns. Research conducted early in the pandemic demonstrates that a greater proportion of adults in the U.S.

Using adverse childhood experiences to explore the usefulness of community health needs assessments to monitor complex determinants of health at the local level.

Background: Hospital led community health needs assessments (CHNAs) are intended to help medical care organizations assess determinants of health within the communities they serve. This study demonstrates the utility of data from non-profit hospital CHNAs to monitor complex health issues such as adverse childhood events (ACEs) at the local-level.

Methods: CHNA data were collected from August to November 2019 and analyzed July 2021.

Field Test of a Passive Infrared Camera for Measuring Trail-Based Physical Activity.

Trails are ubiquitous and far-reaching, but research on the impact trails have on physical activity is limited by the lack of resource-efficient, accurate, and practical systematic observation tools. Commonly used infrared trail sensors count trail use and may broadly differentiate activity (i.e.

School Climate as a Universal Intervention to Prevent Substance Use Initiation in Early Adolescence: A Longitudinal Study.

Initiation of substance use often starts during adolescence, with tobacco and alcohol use frequently preceding the use of marijuana and other illicit drugs. Studies suggest that a positive school climate may prevent substance use while promoting healthy student behaviors. The purpose of this study was to determine the longitudinal associations between school climate and substance use initiation in a group of middle school students.

Adoption and Reach of a statewide policy, systems, and environment intervention to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables in West Virginia.

Food deserts-areas with limited access to affordable, healthy foods-are disproportionately in low-income areas of the USA and have been linked with poorer nutrition behaviors and health outcomes. From a social ecological perspective, increasing access to affordable fresh fruits and vegetables in communities should encourage consumption and health improvements. Change the Future West Virginia, a statewide intervention, was undertaken to make policy, system, and environment (PSE) changes to enhance access to fresh fruits and vegetables in schools, farmers markets, and retail food outlets.

Evaluability assessment of "growing healthy communities," a mini-grant program to improve access to healthy foods and places for physical activity.

Background: Mini-grants have been used to stimulate multisector collaboration in support of public health initiatives by funding non-traditional partners, such as economic development organizations. Such mini-grants have the potential to increase access to healthy foods and places for physical activity through built environment change, especially in small and rural towns in the United States. Although a promising practice, few mini-grant evaluations have been done.

Assessment and Response to Intimate Partner Violence in Home Visitation: A Qualitative Needs Assessment With Home Visitors in a Statewide Program.

There is growing recognition that home visitation programs serving at-risk families may be an appropriate mechanism for detecting and reducing intimate partner violence (IPV). More research is needed about how home visitors assess and respond to IPV, especially in rural and underserved areas with unique social and geographic challenges. This study describes the qualitative, needs assessment phase of a larger mixed-methods evaluation of IPV assessment, referral processes, and safety planning with clients within a statewide home visitation program.

Healthcare resource availability and cardiovascular health in the USA.

Objectives: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in the USA. Reducing the population-level burden of CVD disease will require a better understanding and support of cardiovascular health (CVH) in individuals and entire communities. The objectives for this study were to examine associations between community-level healthcare resources (HCrRes) and CVH in individuals and entire communities.

Prevalence and Geographic Variations of Polypharmacy Among West Virginia Medicaid Beneficiaries.

Background: West Virginia (WV) residents are at high risk for polypharmacy given its considerable chronic disease burdens.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence, correlates, outcomes, and geographic variations of polypharmacy among WV Medicaid beneficiaries.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed 2009-2010 WV Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS) claims data for adults aged 18-64 (N=37,570).

The Impact of Community Input in Community Health Needs Assessments.

Objective: To determine the impact of community participation on nonprofit hospital priorities as outlined in a Community Health Needs Assessment.

Design: Using 3 completed Community Health Needs Assessments, we compare key stakeholder survey responses with community survey responses and determine their contribution to the finalized priorities.

Setting: Three communities in West Virginia served by nonprofit hospitals (1 metropolitan statistical area, 1 micropolitan statistical area, and 1 rural community).

Longitudinal Patterns of Emergency Department Visits: A Multistate Analysis of Medicaid Beneficiaries.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the longitudinal patterns of emergency department (ED) visits among adult fee-for-service Medicaid.

Data Sources: Data were obtained from the Medicaid analytic eXtract files, Area Health Resource File, and County Health Rankings.

Study Design: A retrospective longitudinal study design, with four observations for each individual was used.

Factors Associated With Emergency Department Visits: A Multistate Analysis of Adult Fee-for-Service Medicaid Beneficiaries.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the association of patient- and county-level factors with the emergency department (ED) visits among adult fee-for-service (FFS) Medicaid beneficiaries residing in Maryland, Ohio, and West Virginia.

Methods: A cross-sectional design using retrospective observational data was implemented. Patient-level data were obtained from 2010 Medicaid Analytic eXtract files.

Measuring policy and related effects of a health impact assessment related to connectivity.

Health Impact Assessments are an important tool to help policymakers perceive the potential positive and negative contributions of decisions to public health. While they have been increasingly used in the United States, studies have not examined intermediate effects. Using key stakeholder interviews, this manuscript examines policy outcomes and other related effects of the HIA 21months after completing a Health Impact Assessment Report around connectivity policy.

Reviewing risks and benefits of low-dose computed tomography screening for lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the third most common cancer among men and women and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. Diagnosis at an early stage has been suggested crucial for improving survival in individuals at high-risk of lung cancer. One potential facilitator to early diagnosis is low-dose computed tomography (LDCT).

Changing Awareness of the Health Insurance Marketplace.

The Health Insurance Marketplace was designed to increase the affordability of health insurance. The success of the marketplace depends on people's awareness and use of it. In a statewide mail survey of West Virginians, we found that respondents' awareness of the West Virginia Health Insurance Marketplace increased from 2013 to 2014.

Exploring Health Insurance Status and Emergency Department Utilization.

Emergency department (ED) use, by both insured and uninsured, leads to significant health care costs in the United States. While frequent ED use is often attributed to the uninsured, there is some evidence that insured populations also report utilizing the ED when otherwise preventable or nonurgent. We conducted in-person surveys of patients visiting the ED at a large research hospital and examined the differences in their characteristics based on the health insurance status.

Changes in Cardiovascular Health in the United States, 2003-2011.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, making improving cardiovascular health a key population health goal. As part of efforts to achieve this, the American Heart Association has developed the first comprehensive cardiovascular health index (CVHI). Our objective was to investigate the changes in CVHI in US states from 2003 to 2011.

Strategies for policy evaluation of health insurance marketplaces.

Millions of Americans have access to health insurance through new health insurance marketplaces. To serve the uninsured and underinsured populations, it is vital that key stakeholders put into place robust policy evaluation processes to capture data and provide timely feedback regarding exchange functions. This article lays a foundation for policy evaluation that includes health outcomes, economic outcomes, and consumer processes and perceptions.

Awareness and Interest in the West Virginia Health Insurance Marketplace.

The objective of this study is to examine the level of awareness of and interest in the Health Insurance Marketplace in West Virginia. Primary survey data were collected in July/August 2013 from a stratified sampling of West Virginians. A mailed survey was completed by respondents in a cross-sectional study.

Evaluation of West Virginia's Healthy Lifestyles Act Physical Education Component Using the YRBSS.

Background: Public health researchers have demonstrated the potential for significant gains in physical activity through public policy. West Virginia passed House Bill 2816, known as the Healthy Lifestyles Act in 2005. This Act amended the code on the requirements of physical education and physical fitness in schools, creating minimum physical education requirements at each grade level.

The importance of being parsimonious: reliability of a brief community walkability assessment instrument.

This research presents the Leyden Walkability Instrument (LWI), a brief survey checklist designed to measure the perceived walkability of a neighborhood or community where a respondent lives. The reliability of this instrument was tested using the intra-class correlation and found to be moderately substantially reliable (Landis-Koch rating) in every survey item (ranging from .54 to .

Priority of activity-friendly community issues among key decision makers in Hawaii.

Background: The U.S. Community Guide to Preventive Services strongly recommends changes in urban design, land use, and accessibility to increase physical activity.