The Journal of Appalachian Health has been added to the Directory of Open Access Journals.

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This report from the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center shares insights from healthcare providers in 14 rural counties with the highest rates of middle-aged adults living alone in order to inform policy and practice in how best to support the health and well-being of this demographic. Read more here.

This brief from the WWAMI Rural Health Research Center describes the supply and geographic distribution of four types of OB care clinicians – obstetricians, advanced practice midwives, midwives (not advanced practice), and family physicians – using data from the 2019 National Plan and Provider Enumeration System and the American Board of Family Medicine. Read more here.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) seek input from scientists, clinicians, patients, families, caregivers, advocates, and the broader community on the most important knowledge gaps, health and research needs, and promising opportunities to help guide the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s (NINDS) research. These disparities and inequities may exist across several demographic factors, including race/ethnicity, food/housing insecurity, socioeconomic status, geographic location, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, educational attainment, age, disability, etc. Responses are encouraged from all interested stakeholders. Read more here.

Monitoring the rural and urban supply and distribution of clinicians who provide obstetrical (OB) services is important for identifying areas that may lack access to OB care and identifying solutions. A new brief, produced by the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho Rural Health Research Center (WWAMI), on the obstetric care workforce shortages describes the supply and geographic distribution of four types of OB care clinicians – obstetricians, advanced practice midwives, midwives (not advanced practice), and family physicians – using data from the 2019 National Plan and Provider Enumeration System and the American Board of Family Medicine. They monitor rural and urban supply and distribution of physicians who provide OB services by linking to county level Urban Influence Codes (UICs), and provide estimates of each clinician type per 100,000 women of child-bearing age (15 through 49 years), describing supply and distribution for rural versus urban counties and among rural counties, micropolitan versus non-core counties. Their findings reveal that significant disparities exist between rural and urban areas in the supply of clinicians who provide OB services, such as more rural areas without Obstetrical Service Clinicians, with less Obstetricians per 100,000 women of child bearing age, few advanced practice Midwives, etc.

The Department of Energy (DoE) released a new report titled, The Appalachian Energy and Petrochemical Renaissance: An Examination of Economic Progress and Opportunities. Drawing on ARC data, research, and investment outcomes, the report examines energy resources found in Appalachia, the opportunities/challenges that are associated with these industries, and the steps that can be taken to increase the positive economic impact from these opportunities in parts of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky.

The report cites several ARC reports relevant to the Region’s shale and gas industry including the Status of the Appalachian Development Highway System as of September 30, 2018, the Industrial Make-Up of the Appalachian Region and An Economic Analysis of the Appalachian Coal Industry Ecosystem. The report also highlights ARC investments in the Tristate Energy and Advanced Manufacturing (TEAM) Consortium, a network of nearly 50 community colleges and educational institutions, industry representation, local economic development leaders, and investment partners from across Marcellus-Utica region providing credentialed education and training for jobs in Appalachia’s energy and manufacturing sectors as an example of successful workforce development initiatives that could be brought to scale.

“Appalachian energy resources are among the most plentiful in the world, and the region stands poised to continue its growth as an energy producer and an important contributor to the world petrochemical market,” said ARC Federal Co-Chairman Tim Thomas. “The critical policy priorities and strategic investments outlined in this report will be important to the continued energy independence of our nation and the economic development of the Appalachian Region.”

Read the full details here.

Population Estimates by Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin

The 2019 vintage of Population Estimates by Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin are now available from the U.S. Census Bureau. For more information on the Detailed Estimates or to download the data, click here.

Juneteenth National Freedom Day

This month’s brief focuses on trends in the Black or African American population in recognition of Juneteenth. Click here to read the full brief.