Developing a Research Agenda to Improve Rural Health Access and Quality in West Virginia

Julia Rollison, Zara Fatima Abdurahaman, Lisa H. Jaycox, Viviana Mercado

ResearchPublished Dec 17, 2025

This report presents West Virginia's rural health challenges — workforce shortages, chronic disease, infrastructure gaps, and access barriers — and describes a preliminary research agenda to guide improvements. The authors identify practical research priorities, highlight promising programs, and emphasize culturally responsive, community-engaged approaches to improve health outcomes in rural health services throughout the state.

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Rollison, Julia, Zara Fatima Abdurahaman, Lisa H. Jaycox, and Viviana Mercado, Developing a Research Agenda to Improve Rural Health Access and Quality in West Virginia. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2025. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA4484-1.html.
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Funding for this research was provided by gifts from RAND supporters and income from the operation of the RAND Education, Employment, and Infrastructure. The research was conducted by the RAND Rural America Partnership within RAND Education, Employment, and Infrastructure.

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