The Ninth Myth of Appalachia

J Appalach Health. 2023 Aug 1;5(2):1-4. doi: 10.13023/jah.0502.01. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Many stereotypes afflict our much-maligned region, and the Jonesborough-Washington County History Museum displays eight of these "myths of Appalachia." Here, our Editor-in-Chief suggests a ninth-that the people of Appalachia "do not care" about their health-and argues that regional health disparities result not from apathy but from a confluence of socioeconomic factors.

Keywords: Appalachia; Tennessee history; health behaviour; ill health; stereotypes.