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Health Care Research and Dissemination

WVACHS is a practice-based research network of primary care clinicians, public health leaders, and partners working to improve health and health care systems across West Virginia. Our research focuses on primary and preventive care for underserved populations, with an emphasis on translating results into better practice and policy. In 2024, we expanded support for clinician researchers by adding a Data Scientist and two part-time Research Assistants—current medical students who contribute to all phases of research while developing their own skills

At WVACHS, our research is grounded in the needs of the communities we serve. We prioritize translating findings into meaningful improvements in patient care and community health. 

These data represent 2024 highlights. A comprehensive list of current research efforts and real-time progress is available on our Research Dashboard.

In 2024, WVACHS completed work on four projects:

2024 Research Highlights

1. Water Quality and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
Lead: Joanna Bailey, MD (Tug River Health Association)
Focus: Impact of perceived water quality on beverage choice and its relationship to NAFLD
Outcomes: Data collection completed; preliminary analysis and manuscript in preparation

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2. Patient Transportation Barriers in Rural Primary Care
Lead: Joanna Bailey, MD (Tug River Health Association)
Focus: Transportation challenges faced by rural patients in accessing care
Outcomes: Peer-reviewed publication and policy recommendations

 

3. West Virginia’s Clear Future – Vaping Prevention Program Evaluation
Lead: Dan Doyle, MD (Partners in Health Network)
Focus: Evaluation of the CATCH My Breath youth vaping prevention curriculum
Outcomes: Peer-reviewed publication, policy recommendations, and presentation at a national public health conference

 

4. Insurance Coverage for Anti-Obesity Medications: Policy Impacts
Lead: Treah Haggerty, MD (West Virginia University School of Medicine)
Focus: Effects of policy changes on coverage and adherence for anti-obesity medications
Outcomes: Peer-reviewed publication and policy recommendations

In 2024, WVACHS had four articles published in peer-reviewed open access journals:  

2024 Peer-Reviewed Publications

1. Bailey, J., Burchfield, K., Redden, J., Adkins, K., Thornton, A., Tah, S., Bennett, T., Wen, S., Baus, A. (2024). The Road to Access: Addressing Transportation Challenges in Rural Primary Care. Journal of Healthcare for the Poor and Underserved, 35(4), 1192-1205.

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2. Burchfield, K., Doyle, D., Mantey, D., Bennett, T., Baus, A. (2024). The CATCH My Breath Vaping Prevention Curriculum: An Evaluation of Impacts in Central Appalachian Middle and High Schools, 2019-2023. Journal of Primary Care and Community Health, 15.

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3. Haggerty, T. S., Dekeseredy, P., Bailey, J., Cowher, A., Baus, A., Davisson, L. M. (2024). Navigating Coverage: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Perceived Impact of an Insurance Company Policy to Discontinue Coverage of Antiobesity Medication. Obesity Pillars, 11(100120).

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4. Boyd, J., Carter, M., Baus, A. (2024). Access to MAT: Participants' Experiences with Transportation, Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, and Telehealth. Journal of Primary Care and Community Health, 15.

WVACHS presented findings at two national and regional conferences during 2024

2024 Conference Presentations

1. Carter, M. (Author & Presenter), Baus, A. (Author & Presenter), 32nd Annual West Virginia Rural Health Conference, "What People in Recovery Teach Us About MAT," West Virginia Rural Health Association, Daniels, WV. (November 14, 2024).

 

2. Burchfield, K. (Author & Presenter), Doyle, D. (Author), Baus, A. (Author), Mantey, D. (Author), Bennett, T., American Public Health Association 2024 Annual Meeting & Expo, "The CATCH my breath vaping prevention curriculum: An evaluation of impacts in central Appalachian middle and high schools, 2019-2023," American Public Health Association, Minneapolis, MN. (October 28, 2024).

Ongoing projects include:

  1. FOODWISE: Feasible Obesity Outreach and Dietary Wellness in Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Communities

    • Lead: Mollie Cecil, MD, FAAFP, DABOM (West Virginia University Medicine)

    • Summary: Assessing whether structured meal planning leads to greater weight loss than self-guided dietary planning.

    • Outcomes (In Progress): Literature review completed, study design finalized, and intervention implementation being planned.

  2. Racial Bias in Pulse Oximetry for Black Lung Disease Patients

    • Lead: Sarah Hansen, DNP, AGPCNP-BC, RN (Cabin Creek Health Systems)

    • Summary: Investigating discrepancies in pulse oximetry readings for patients diagnosed with black lung disease with darker skin pigmentation.

    • Outcomes (In Progress): Literature review and initial data analysis completed. Expanding to multi-site data collection to strengthen findings.

  3. Foster Closets Community Needs Assessment

    • Lead: Jill Cochran, PhD, APRN, C-FNP, FAANP (West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine)

    • Summary: Conducting a community needs assessment on foster closet resources and emergency infant placements in Greenbrier and surrounding counties.

    • Outcomes (In Progress): Literature review, resource mapping, and assessment tool development. Next steps include refining survey methods, expanding data collection, and seeking funding.

  4. Hepatitis C Treatment Access Study

    • Lead: Kimberly Becher, MD (Community Care of West Virginia) and Jennifer Boyd, PA-C (New River Health Association)

    • Summary: Examining barriers and facilitators to Hepatitis C treatment access in rural primary care settings.

Research Mentorship Program:
Supporting emerging practice-based researchers through mentoring and stipends to practicing clinicians who engage medical and other health professions students in research projects.

In 2024, WVACHS clinician members worked with 15 individual students in six research projects.

  1. Water Quality and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

    • Lead: Joanna Bailey, MD (Tug River Health Association)

    • Students Involved: 3 medical students

  2. ​Patient Transportation Barriers in Rural Primary Care

    • Lead: Joanna Bailey, MD (Tug River Health Association)

    • Students Involved: 5 medical students

  3. Racial Bias in Pulse Oximetry for Black Lung Disease Patients (Ongoing)

    • Lead: Sarah Hansen, DNP, AGPCNP-BC, RN (Cabin Creek Health Systems)

  4. Students Involved: 2FOODWISE: Feasible Obesity Outreach and Dietary Wellness in Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Communities (Ongoing)

    • Lead: Mollie Cecil, MD, FAAFP, DABOM (West Virginia University Medicine)

    • Students Involved: 2

  5. West Virginia’s Clear Future – Vaping Prevention Program Evaluation

    • Lead: Dan Doyle, MD (Partners in Health Network)

    • Students Involved: 2 medical students

  6. Insurance Coverage for Anti-Obesity Medications: Policy Impacts

    • Lead: Treah Haggerty, MD (West Virginia University School of Medicine)

    • Students Involved: 1

2025 by the West Virginia Alliance for Creative Health Solutions, Inc.

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