Presenter Classification
Faculty
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Publication Date
4-22-2026
Start Date
22-4-2026 11:05 AM
End Date
22-4-2026 11:25 AM
Keywords
coal mining, health outcomes, public health
Abstract Type
Research
Abstract
Purpose: During the last century, coal mining has had a significant economic role in the Appalachian region; however, evidence suggests that coal-related industries are a major contributor to the increasing adverse health effects that are affecting the local communities. The purpose of the analysis is to investigate whether increases in coal production correspond with the increases in poor health outcomes.
Aims: This analysis examines the relationship between coal production and population health outcomes by comparing coal production data with regional health data from the same time period.
Methods: A retrospective, correlational methodology was used to examine if there is a correlation between the rate of coal production and health outcomes.
Results: The findings indicate that Appalachian communities experience substantially higher rates of chronic illness than the national average. The rates of these chronic illnesses in these Appalachian communities are 10-27% higher than the national averages. While causation cannot be derived from the data collected, there is a strong correlation suggesting that areas of high coal production have higher rates of poor health outcomes.
Conclusions: The results of the analysis suggest a complex relationship between coal mining and health outcomes that reflect the long-term effects of the environmental exposure to coal, environmental contamination, and the socioeconomic challenges within these coal mining regions.
The Effects of Coal Mining on Health Outcomes in Appalachia
Purpose: During the last century, coal mining has had a significant economic role in the Appalachian region; however, evidence suggests that coal-related industries are a major contributor to the increasing adverse health effects that are affecting the local communities. The purpose of the analysis is to investigate whether increases in coal production correspond with the increases in poor health outcomes.
Aims: This analysis examines the relationship between coal production and population health outcomes by comparing coal production data with regional health data from the same time period.
Methods: A retrospective, correlational methodology was used to examine if there is a correlation between the rate of coal production and health outcomes.
Results: The findings indicate that Appalachian communities experience substantially higher rates of chronic illness than the national average. The rates of these chronic illnesses in these Appalachian communities are 10-27% higher than the national averages. While causation cannot be derived from the data collected, there is a strong correlation suggesting that areas of high coal production have higher rates of poor health outcomes.
Conclusions: The results of the analysis suggest a complex relationship between coal mining and health outcomes that reflect the long-term effects of the environmental exposure to coal, environmental contamination, and the socioeconomic challenges within these coal mining regions.
