Population Health

A collection of leading public health research informing how we understand social drivers of health and how our envirionment impacts our health

"The health behaviors and outcomes of a broad group of individuals, including the distribution of such outcomes affected by the contextual factors within the group." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Contextual Drivers of Health

Economic Stability: Income, social protection, and unemployment
Education: Access to quality education
Health Care: Access to affordable health services
Neighborhoods: Safe housing, transportation, and neighborhoods
Environment: Polluted air and water

Social Norms: Racism, discrimination, and violence
Political Systems: Economic policies and systems
Development Agendas: Social policies
Food: Access to nutritious foods and food insecurity
Physical Activity: Opportunities for physical activity

Evidence-based research informing our public health practices & research

A. Surachman, et al, 2024 - Grandparents' educational attainment is associated with grandchildren's epigenetic-based age acceleration in the National Growth and Health Study

Why is this important?

It shows how grandparents' education levels can affect the health of their grandchildren, even down to their biological aging. In rural Appalachia, where access to quality education and resources has been limited for generations, this connection highlights the long-lasting impact of social and economic hardships. Families in these areas may face higher risks of health problems passed down over time. By understanding how factors like education influence health across generations, we can work to break the cycle of poor health in Appalachia and create better opportunities for future generations.

M. Willis, et all, 2024 - Among North American pregnancy planners, closer proximity to OGD was associated with adverse preconception mental health symptomatology.

Why is this important?

This shows how living near oil and gas development (OGD) sites can negatively impact mental health, particularly for women planning to get pregnant. In rural Appalachia, where OGD is common and healthcare resources are limited, the mental health effects of living near these sites could be even more severe. The study suggests that women living closer to OGD sites are more likely to experience stress, depression, and use psychotropic medications. Understanding this link is crucial for creating policies that protect the mental and physical health of people in Appalachia, where these environmental factors may further strain already vulnerable communities.

M. Argentieri, et al, 2025 - Integrating the environmental and genetic architectures of aging and mortality

Why is this important?

The research indicates that while individual exposures to risk factors contribute slightly to premature death, the cumulative effect of these multiple exposures over a person’s lifetime (known as the exposome) explains a larger percentage of premature mortality variation compared to genetic risk factors. Therefore, despite the significant attention given to genomics, public health programs can have a more substantial impact by intervening on combinations of environmental factors that contribute to premature death.