IMPROVEMENTS IN MORTALITY RATES FOR HEART DISEASE AND STROKE IN COAL AND TOBACCO DEPENDENT COMMUNITIES IN VIRGINIA FROM 1960 TO 2012

Previous studies have reported that living in coal dependent communities is associated with higher rates of chronic illness and mortality. The objective of this study was to identify trends in mortality rates in coal and tobacco dependent counties in Virginia. Data was obtained on heart disease and stroke mortality rates from the Virginia Department of Health. All mortality rates reflect ICD 10^th revision codes. The counties in Lenowisco and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts were coal-dependent; counties in Pittsylvania, Southside and Piedmont Health Districts were tobacco-dependent; and counties in Mount Rogers and Western Piedmont Health Districts served as controls. Results showed downward trends in all three geographic areas for all causes of age-adjusted mortality rates from 1960 to 2012. Over 50 years heart disease mortality rates declined by 50% with similar declines observed in stoke mortality rates. Men had higher rates of death than women but showed the most improvement in reduced mortality rates over time. Females in coal dependent communities did not see similar improvements in heart disease and stroke mortality rates. Analysis of variance of numerous social determinants of health that influence heart diseases and stroke will provide further insight into what economic social and behavioral factors influence mortality. Since 2000 the most improvement in heart disease and stroke mortality was noted in tobacco and control counties. Identifying independent variables impacting heart diseases and stroke will facilitate future intervention programs for improved health, i.e., in females in coal dependent communities. Funding source: “This study was sponsored by the Appalachian Research Initiative for Environmental Science (ARIES). ARIES is an industrial affiliates program at Virginia Tech, supported by members that include companies in the energy sector. The research under ARIES is conducted by independent researchers in accordance with the policies on scientific integrity of their institutions. The views, opinions and recommendations expressed herein are solely those of the authors and do not imply any endorsement by ARIES employees, other ARIES-affiliated researchers or industrial members. Information about ARIES can be found at http://www.energy.vt.edu/ARIES.”