Please read this study information sheet carefully before you decide to participate in the study.

Purpose of the research study: The Healthy Appalachia Institute with the University of Virginia College at Wise seeks adults (18 and older) to participate in a research study. The purpose of the study is to learn the priority health challenges faced by residents of Southwest Virginia, and what health programs and health care services are needed to respond to them. The study findings will update the Southwest Virginia Blueprint for Health Improvement and Health-Enabled Prosperity, and inform strategic plans toward a healthier future in Appalachian Virginia.

What you will do in the study: Complete a brief survey describing what you see as priority health problems in their community, the health-related issues causing these problems, important characteristics of a healthy community, and programs to achieve those characteristics and improve health in your community. You can skip any question and stop the survey at any time.

Time required: The study will require less than five minutes of your time.

Risks: There are no anticipated risks in this study.

Benefits: There are no direct benefits to you for participating in this research study. The study may help us understand how to better serve the health needs of the residents of your community.

Confidentiality: The information that you give in the study will be anonymous. Your name and other information that could be used to identify you will not be collected or linked to the data.

Voluntary participation: Your participation in the study is completely voluntary.

Right to withdraw from the study: You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without penalty.

How to withdraw from the study: There is no penalty for withdrawing. You can choose not to provide any information, or to stop the survey at any time. Because the data are not connected to your identity, you cannot withdraw after you submit your data.

Payment: You will receive no payment for participating in the study.

Using data beyond this study: Your survey results will be combined with others to support the development of the SWVA Health Blueprint. All data will be deleted five (5) years after completion of the study. The combined study findings may be made available for other studies beyond the original study, including but not limited to informing additional health care services and programs in your community.

Please contact the researchers on the study team listed below to:

Obtain more information or ask a question about the study.
Leave the study before it is finished.

David L. Driscoll, Ph.D., MPH
Director, Healthy Appalachia Institute
UVA College at Wise Oxbow Center
16620 East Riverside Drive
Saint Paul, VA 24283
DDriscoll@virginia.edu
(276) 870-6517

You may also report a concern about a study or ask questions about your rights as a research subject by contacting the Institutional Review Board listed below.

Tonya R. Moon, Ph.D.
Chair, Institutional Review Board for the Social and Behavioral Sciences
One Morton Dr Suite 400 University of Virginia,
P.O. Box 800392 Charlottesville, VA 22908-0392
Telephone: (434) 924-5999
Email: irbsbshelp@virginia.edu
Website: https://research.virginia.edu/irb-sbs
Website for Research Participants: https://research.virginia.edu/research-participants

UVA IRB-SBS # 6052

Please advance to the survey if you are 18 or older, have read the above information, and are willing to take part in the study by clicking the blue arrow below.