Appalachian Culture Module WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities Objectives • Complete a pre-test on Appalachian culture and health care • Present a general overview of Appalachia • Present rural health care facts • Discuss the views of Appalachian Americans that relate to delivery of health care services • Complete a post-test on Appalachian culture and health care Pre-test • Please complete the pre-test on Appalachian culture and health care and email your answers to Diane Williams at [email protected] before completing this module. Appalachia • Appalachia is a region that extends from southern New York to northern Mississippi. • 13 states and 406 counties are encompassed in this region. • West Virginia is the only state that lies completely within the Appalachian region. • Approximately 22 million people live in Appalachia. • This region is 42% rural. Appalachia • Many negative stereotypes about Appalachia and its inhabitants are depicted in the media. • Risk factors for Appalachians include heart disease, stroke, accidental injury, respiratory illness, and cancer. Common Appalachian Values • Loyalty to family • Dislike of assertiveness or • Independence aggressiveness • Self-reliance • Minding one’s own • Modesty business • Pride • Equality • Love of the home • Avoidance of land disagreements • Religion Rural Health Care Facts Facts • Rural areas have half as many physicians as urban areas to serve a given population base. • Rural residents are less likely to have employer- provided health care and prescription drug coverage. • Rural residents are twice as likely to die in motor vehicle accidents than urban residents. • Rural residents tend to be poorer. • A larger proportion of rural residents tend to be elderly. Facts • Alcohol abuse and the use of smokeless tobacco is a significant problem among rural youth. • Rural Americans are less likely to receive routine dental care. • There are fewer practicing mental health professionals in rural areas. • Rural hospitals are half as likely to provide emergency medical care than urban hospitals. • The suicide rate among rural men is significantly higher than in urban areas. Facts • Rural residents are more likely to describe their overall health status as fair/poor than urban residents. • Chronic illnesses are more prevalent in rural areas. • Medicare payments to rural hospitals and physicians are dramatically less than those to urban counterparts. • The rural poor are less likely to be covered by Medicaid benefits than their urban counterparts. • Rural residents have greater transportation difficulties reaching health care providers.