Mode of Program Participation
Academic Scholarship
Participation Type
Poster
Presentation #1 Title
Tracking social determinants of health in electronic health records in rural communities in Virginia
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
The health disparities in Central Appalachian have persisted over time at elevated rates compared to other regions in the US. In Virginia increased rates of diabetes mellitus (T2DM), metabolic conditions (MC), or mental disorders (MI) occure in coal dependent counties compared to rates reported for counties in other parts of Virginia. Previous reports have implicated coal production in these areas as the primary causal factor for elevated chronic health conditions. Since 1990 rates of heart diseases and cancer deaths have improved, yet declines were better in men than in women. The majority of individuals with the most direct environmental contact with coal production are miners, mostly men, contradicting common perceptions. In order to study other potential risk factors for elevated chronic conditions we reviewed electronic health records in coal dependent communities. The objective of this study was to determine if there were differences by occupation for selected lifestyle behaviors; physical activity, tobacco use, alcohol use and illicit drug use. Medical records were obtained from three hospitals in coal producing regions. The preliminary findings revealed that within coal communities coal miners and non-coal miners both had similar prevalence rates of DM, MC and MI. Coal miners reported lower rates of selected lifestyle behaviors; tobacco and alcohol use, compared to other occupation groups; tobacco (29.4% vs 33.1%, p<0.05) and current alcohol use (3.4% vs 9.9%, p<0.05). There were too few responses to provide meaningful data regarding illicit drug use. To conclude, when comparing coal miners to other occupations, both had similar prevalence rates of DM, MC and MI with differences in smoking and alcohol use. However, data on self-reported lifestyle factors were not well documented in medical records. Providers should educate patients on lifestyle behaviors as a part of a cost-effective prevention and treatment plan and improve documentation to support future lifestyle intervention programs in areas of rural Virginia with health disparities and limited resources. Funding: This study is sponsored by Appalachian Research Initiative for Environmental Science (ARIES). Information about ARIES can be found at http://www.energy.vt.edu/ARIES.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Student, Graduate Certificate, VCOM
Tracking social determinants of health in electronic health records in rural communities in Virginia
The health disparities in Central Appalachian have persisted over time at elevated rates compared to other regions in the US. In Virginia increased rates of diabetes mellitus (T2DM), metabolic conditions (MC), or mental disorders (MI) occure in coal dependent counties compared to rates reported for counties in other parts of Virginia. Previous reports have implicated coal production in these areas as the primary causal factor for elevated chronic health conditions. Since 1990 rates of heart diseases and cancer deaths have improved, yet declines were better in men than in women. The majority of individuals with the most direct environmental contact with coal production are miners, mostly men, contradicting common perceptions. In order to study other potential risk factors for elevated chronic conditions we reviewed electronic health records in coal dependent communities. The objective of this study was to determine if there were differences by occupation for selected lifestyle behaviors; physical activity, tobacco use, alcohol use and illicit drug use. Medical records were obtained from three hospitals in coal producing regions. The preliminary findings revealed that within coal communities coal miners and non-coal miners both had similar prevalence rates of DM, MC and MI. Coal miners reported lower rates of selected lifestyle behaviors; tobacco and alcohol use, compared to other occupation groups; tobacco (29.4% vs 33.1%, p<0.05) and current alcohol use (3.4% vs 9.9%, p<0.05). There were too few responses to provide meaningful data regarding illicit drug use. To conclude, when comparing coal miners to other occupations, both had similar prevalence rates of DM, MC and MI with differences in smoking and alcohol use. However, data on self-reported lifestyle factors were not well documented in medical records. Providers should educate patients on lifestyle behaviors as a part of a cost-effective prevention and treatment plan and improve documentation to support future lifestyle intervention programs in areas of rural Virginia with health disparities and limited resources. Funding: This study is sponsored by Appalachian Research Initiative for Environmental Science (ARIES). Information about ARIES can be found at http://www.energy.vt.edu/ARIES.
