Appalachian Health Care Issues and Folk Medicine

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Appalachian Health Care Issues and Folk Medicine

• Brenda L. Hosley, RN MSN PhD(c)

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Objectives

• Identify key health concerns of central
  Appalachians.
• Discuss the health needs of underserved
  populations in Appalachia and rural communities.
• Discuss cultural influences that affect health
  beliefs and practices.
• Discuss how folk healing impacts the health of
  rural Appalachians.
• Discuss how the health care needs of the
  underserved are being addressed

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Cultural influences

• Who are the people in Appalachia?

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Health care concerns

• Diabetes
• Heart Disease
• Obesity
• Cancer

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Factors affecting health care of Appalachians

• Access to care
• Cultural barriers

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Access to care

• Lack of transportation
• Lack of adequate health insurance
• Lack of preventative care

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Cultural barriers

• Language
• Ethnicity
• Gender
• Education

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Folk remedies

• What is a folk remedy?
• Who uses folk remedies?

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Types of complementary medicine practiced in
rural areas

• Herbs
• Home remedies
• Prayer
• Laying on hands
• Massage
• Acupuncture

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How are health needs being addressed?

• Clinics
• Nurse practitioners
• Telemedicine
• Health fairs
• Health departments
• Schools