Center for Population Health & Health Disparities

PILOT 3

What are the cancer-related lifestyle factors among the non-Amish in the Holmes County, Ohio Region?

Investigators: Mira L. Katz, Ph.D. and Amy Ferketich, Ph.D

This pilot project will be conducted in Holmes County , Ohio region (Holmes, Coshocton, Tuscarawas counties). This area of Appalachia is considered Region 1 in the Center's CARE project. Cancer incidence and mortality rates are higher, and residents of this region experience more poverty, have less education, have a higher prevalence of tobacco use, are more likely to be uninsured and have limited access to health care, and have poorer overall health status. This pilot study will be carried out by 1) conducting in-depth face-to-face interviews among non-Amish individuals living in the Holmes County , Ohio region to identify the prevalence of cancer-related behavioral factors, and 2) comparing the prevalence of cancer-related behavioral factors of the non-Amish with those of the Amish living in Holmes County , Ohio Region. Focusing on the cancer-related beliefs and behaviors of the residents of this Appalachian region is important for planning effective cancer educational programs and for comparing this population to the Amish population living in the same geographical region. The objectives of this study are directly related to the goal of The Ohio State University Center for Population Health and Health Disparities; to understand why high rates of cancer incidence and mortality are observed in rural Ohio Appalachia.