As climate change accelerates, rural mountain regions like Appalachia face escalating risks of inland flooding, as recently seen with the impacts of Tropical Storm Helene. The health consequences of these disasters are profound, leading to increased rates of respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse. Displacement, loss of
livelihoods, and the destruction of tight-knit community networks further exacerbate these health challenges. Despite these mounting risks, inland, rural regions like Appalachia receive disproportionately limited research, collaboration, and funding compared to coastal and urban areas. This lack of investment has hindered the development of resilient networks tailored to rural environments and limited training
opportunities for the next generation of health and geoscientists.
This project unites researchers working at the intersection of geoscience, public health, and policy alongside community-based organizations to co-develop evidence-informed strategies and interventions aimed at enhancing health outcomes and economic resilience in rural Appalachia. The team will create a Rural Resilience Network Exchange, a technology-enabled platform designed to facilitate sustained community engagement and to curate accessible digital repositories of climate and health data.
