Mode of Program Participation
Academic Scholarship
Participation Type
Poster
Presentation #1 Title
Prevalence of Chronic Lung Diseases in Communities in Rural Areas of Southern Virginia
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Appalachia is known for its health disparities and low socioeconomic status. The economic base in many Appalachian communities is coal mining. Chronic lung diseases in coal miners are a primary concern because of the documented exposure to particulate matter in the air. In an effort to determine the effects of coal mining on residents in communities the following study compared the prevalence of lung conditions in residents in southwestern coal areas of the state to disease rates of residents in communities in adjacent mountainous areas, the piedmont region and eastern coastal areas of Virginia. State department mortality data, other agency data on health behaviors and de-identified electronic health record data from participating hospitals were collected. Health records were selected using systematic randomization from hospital admissions in 2011-2012 and extracted data recorded in survey software (Qualtrics, LLC, (Qualtrics, Provo, UT). Statistical analyses provided preliminary findings on lung cancers, and non-neoplastic conditions; asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. In this study individuals in coal mining communities were at no greater risk for developing chronic lung diseases when compared to non-coal producing regions of Virginia. The state data reports prevalence rates of lung cancers higher in women than men. With our EHR preliminary data no differences were detected by occupation between coal miners and other occupations. Smoking and other socioeconomic factors in health disparity areas were also assessed. This study is sponsored by Initiative for Environmental Science (ARIES). Information about ARIES can be found at http://www.energy.vt.edu/ARIES.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
VCOM
Prevalence of Chronic Lung Diseases in Communities in Rural Areas of Southern Virginia
Appalachia is known for its health disparities and low socioeconomic status. The economic base in many Appalachian communities is coal mining. Chronic lung diseases in coal miners are a primary concern because of the documented exposure to particulate matter in the air. In an effort to determine the effects of coal mining on residents in communities the following study compared the prevalence of lung conditions in residents in southwestern coal areas of the state to disease rates of residents in communities in adjacent mountainous areas, the piedmont region and eastern coastal areas of Virginia. State department mortality data, other agency data on health behaviors and de-identified electronic health record data from participating hospitals were collected. Health records were selected using systematic randomization from hospital admissions in 2011-2012 and extracted data recorded in survey software (Qualtrics, LLC, (Qualtrics, Provo, UT). Statistical analyses provided preliminary findings on lung cancers, and non-neoplastic conditions; asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. In this study individuals in coal mining communities were at no greater risk for developing chronic lung diseases when compared to non-coal producing regions of Virginia. The state data reports prevalence rates of lung cancers higher in women than men. With our EHR preliminary data no differences were detected by occupation between coal miners and other occupations. Smoking and other socioeconomic factors in health disparity areas were also assessed. This study is sponsored by Initiative for Environmental Science (ARIES). Information about ARIES can be found at http://www.energy.vt.edu/ARIES.
