The health disparities data analysis and community case studies conducted through the Creating a Culture of Health in Appalachia initiative provide new insights on the state of community health across the Region and suggest potential health-promoting strategies communities could replicate to improve their health outcomes.

Based on the information gleaned from this work, the initiative partners have developed three issue briefs to help inform community efforts related to the specific, prevalent Appalachian health issues of obesity, opioid misuse, and smoking. The briefs offer promising practices, intervention strategies, and policies aimed at reducing health disparities.

The initiative partners will also post news and updates on activities related to the initiative, including fresh insights on health disparities data and news on health-related efforts in Appalachia’s Bright Spot communities.

Input and questions on the initiative and its findings will also help the partners continue to improve and build information provided on this site and inform potential next steps to support community health. We welcome you to contact us.