The Center for Rural Health Research at the ETSU College of Public Health has released its third annual report.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee established CRHR in 2019 as a part of his efforts to improve the lives of people living in Tennessee’s most rural counties and was supported with a generous gift from Ballad Health. CRHR has expanded upon this initial funding by securing over $12 million in external funding from state, regional, and national partners since the center's inception. Over the past year, CRHR has added eight new funding sources totaling more than $1.5 million.
“As a center we are defined by our people. Our successes over this past year highlight their dedication, their amazing skills, and their ongoing commitment to our communities, our region, and to rural jurisdictions around the nation,” said director Michael Meit. “Our continued growth, in terms of both faculty and research support, is a direct result of the stellar reputation they have helped to create.”
CRHR serves Appalachia and the nation through research and evaluation projects designed to improve the health and well-being of rural residents. The Appalachian Highlands, the 21 counties in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, remains the core focus of the Center’s work, highlighted by the strong partnership with Ballad Health.
Over the past year, CRHR faculty and staff have published more than 20 articles in national research journals such as the Journal of Public Health Management & Practice, Journal of Community Health, and Journal of Appalachian Health. CRHR faculty have also presented research at more than 60 conferences and events, such as the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) Annual Conference, Council of State Governments, and Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Conference, among several others.