The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has released a new evaluation of its health grants, offering a comprehensive look at how these investments may have strengthened health and healthcare services across Appalachia. It examines a cohort of 96 health grants that closed between fiscal years 2017 and 2021. The evaluation was conducted by the East Tennessee State University Center for Rural Health and Research (CRHR), a regional leader in research and rural health evaluation.
A Detailed Mixed-Methods Evaluation
CRHR used a mixed-methods approach to better understand grant performance, grantee
implementation experiences, and grantee practices. Key evaluation strategies included:
- Analyses of grant portfolio data available through ARC to describe the characteristics of health grantees and their projects.
- Analyses of county-level, publicly available data to examine the characteristics of Appalachian counties with and without health grant funding.
- A web-based survey of grantees to explore the design, implementation, sustainability, and impacts of health projects.
- In-person site visits with select grantees to develop case studies, with a focus on highlighting promising or innovative practices
Findings from these strategies informed a set of recommendations to help strengthen future health projects.
Measurable Impact Across Appalachia
Findings from the survey suggest that the included health grants commonly focused
on improving health-related services or infrastructure, strengthening the health-related
workforce, and advancing health through planning, education, and other promotion strategies.
Additionally, the projects were designed to serve a variety of individuals, organizations,
and communities across the region. Collectively, the projects supported improvements
for: over 300,000 patients; over 2,500 workers or trainees; nearly 4,000 students;
over 300 organizations; and nearly 150 communities. Further, they supported the creation
of over 650 jobs and retention of over 750 jobs.
More than 90% of counties receiving ARC health grant funding were designated as primary
care Health Professional Shortage Areas, highlighting a focus on serving Appalachian
communities with significant health-related challenges.
Strengthening Healthcare to Support Economic Growth in Appalachia
According to ARC, health grants are designed to increase the availability, accessibility,
and affordability of healthcare services in Appalachia. Ultimately, these efforts
can facilitate greater workforce participation and contribute to long-term economic
growth. The evaluation highlights the potential for strategic investments in health
projects to support sustained benefits on both health and economic outcomes across
Appalachia.
The full evaluation report is available on the Appalachian Regional Commission website.