Researchers urged to engage more with Appalachian communities, stop drop-in 'helicopter' research

Joyce Bells-Berry of the Mayo Clinic spoke at the Appalachian
Translational Research Network Summit. (Photo by Melissa Patrick)

"A big step toward improving health in Appalachia would be closer relationships between residents of the region and researchers — who often drop in, gather data and leave," Melissa Patrick reports for Kentucky Health News. "That’s what researchers were told last week as they gathered in Lexington to talk about their work in Appalachia, ranging from opioid disposal programs to air and water quality."

Joyce Bells-Berry of the Mayo Clinic, the keynote speaker at the eighth annual Appalachian Translational Research Network Summit, said Appalachian researchers should stop "helicopter" research: "Community engagement allows us to get to the 'why' so that we can answer our research questions in a way that is pivotal for changing the lives of those around us, in a way that builds partnerships and mutual respect, while taking into consideration the needs of those around us, not just our needs as the academics."

The ATRN comprises nine universities in Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Tennessee that work together to improve research and training efforts in Appalachia, in hopes of improving health in those communities.

Scott Lockard, director of the Kentucky River Health Department, said Appalachian Kentucky is "ripe for collaboration" with researchers whose work will improve the lives of everyday Kentuckians, Patrick reports. Read here for more about the summit.