Appalachian Region and Diabetes

According to the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), the Appalachia region is a 200,000-square-mile region that follows the Appalachian Mountains from southern New York to northern Mississippi. It includes all of West Virginia and parts of 12 other states: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Appalachian counties within Virginia include: Alleghany, Bath, Bland, Botetourt, Buchanan, Carroll, Craig, Dickenson, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Highland, Lee, Montgomery, Pulaski, Rockbridge, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise/Norton, and Wythe. The following independent cities in Virginia are also within the Appalachian Region: Bristol, Buena Vista, Covington, Galax, Lexington, Norton, and Radford.

Appalachia is unique in terms of its geography, culture, and focus on coal and other natural resources as the mainstay of its economy. Persons living in Appalachia have difficulty in accessing healthcare, due to geography, lack of such resources, and low socioeconomic stratus. According to research conducted by ARC, persons living in Appalachia also experience higher disease prevalence rates, morbidity, and mortality rates than persons living in non-Appalachian regions.

• In terms of diabetes prevalence rates, Virginians living in the Appalachian region do have higher rates than those living in non-Appalachian areas. In 2005, Appalachians had a diabetes prevalence rate of 10.4 percent, as compared to non-Appalachians with a rate of 6.5 percent.

Sources: Appalachian Regional Commission- www.arc.gov/; VA BRFSS, 2005
Data Note: Percents are weighted towards annual population estimates.

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