Health

“The first wealth is health.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Emerson’s observation highlights the critical role that good health plays in one’s ability to live life to the fullest. Moreover, as American population health statistics make clear, wealth  is health.  This is because “where we live, learn, work, and play can have a greater impact on how long and how well we live than medical care.”  For over a half a century, Appalachians have fared far worse than their regional neighbors on a variety of population health measures.  Equally troubling, nearly half of Appalachia’s counties rank below the 40th percentile in the nation on county-level healthcare cost, coverage and access indices.  The Appalachian Justice Initiative is dedicated to promoting greater access to affordable healthcare and improved population health outcomes throughout the region. 

ACA Appeal and Effects in West Virginia
via The Washington Post

"apACAlypse" - Professor Oliva discusses the negative impact of an ACA repeal in our State
Jennifer D. Oliva via The WVU Law Clinics Blog | January 14, 2017

Addiction Treatment in Appalachia now at risk
via The New York Times

Access, Affordability, and the American Health Reform Dilemma, Part III: How an ACA Repeal Would Devastate Appalachia
Jennifer Oliva via the Oxford Human Rights Hub | March 29th, 2017

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