Access to Health Care in Appalachia

Author(s): Michele Morrone (opens in a new window), Ph.D., Cory E. Cronin (opens in a new window), MHSA, Ph.D., Kristin Schuller (opens in a new window), MHA, Ph.D., and  Shannon E. Nicks (opens in a new window), Ph.D., MPH 

Citation: Morrone, M., Cronin, C., Schuller, K., & Nicks, S. (2021). Access to Health Care in Appalachia (opens in a new window).

  • There are fewer healthcare professionals in Appalachian Ohio counties than non-Appalachian counties; both the survey data and the County Health Rankings data demonstrate this.
  •  Only 29% of the survey respondents who live in Appalachian counties think there are enough health-care services in their county, compared to 57% of the respondents from non-Appalachian counties.
  •  Less than one-fourth of the Appalachian survey respondents say they used preventive screening services, with even fewer accessing these services in their home counties (12.8%).
  •  When asked to share their opinions, they state that there are not enough providers, specifically in specialty care.
  •  29% of Appalachians think there are enough health care services in their county. 

Percent of satisfaction in the following categories: 

  • Convenience: 17.9% not satisfied at all
  • Cost: 37.1% not satisfied at all
  • Quality: 9.4% not satisfied at all
  • Information: 10.1% not satisfied at all
  • Courtesy: 5.5% not satisfied at all