The East Tennessee State University Center for Rural Health and Research (CRHR) is celebrating a half-decade of working to improve lives across rural communities.
In its newly released fifth Annual Report, the center showcases five years of achievement in securing major funding, expanding strategic partnerships, producing influential research and amplifying its leadership in rural health.
The College of Public Health established the CRHR in 2019 following approval of state funding by Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly. Ballad Health committed to supplement the annual state appropriation for 10 years to support research and other initiatives aimed at improving health and well-being in rural communities.
Since its founding, CRHR has secured more than $17 million in external funding, reflecting its growing influence and capacity to address rural health challenges. In the 2025 fiscal year alone, the center was awarded seven new grants totaling $3.7 million, supporting both new and ongoing initiatives that are shaping health outcomes in the region and beyond.
It’s part of the reason ETSU is the flagship institution of Appalachia.
“Our first five years have laid a strong foundation,” said Michael Meit, director of CRHR. “Through collaboration, research, and deep engagement with rural communities, we have built a center that not only serves Tennessee and Appalachia but also informs national policy and practice.”
Five Years of Impact: Key Highlights
- Over $17 million in funding secured since 2020, supporting initiatives in maternal health, aging, workforce development, substance use disorder and more.
- Home to the ETSU/NORC Rural Health Research Center, one of only eight federally funded centers of its kind nationwide.
- Launch of StrongLINK in 2023, a landmark longitudinal study of maternal and child health outcomes in partnership with Ballad Health.
- Membership in the Consortium for Workforce Research in Public Health (CWORPH), a first-of-its-kind federally funded initiative that also includes Johns Hopkins University, Columbia University, the University of Minnesota, the University of Washington and Indiana University.
Notable 2025 Highlights Include:
- A new ARISE grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to launch the Regional Public Colleges and Universities Consortium of Central Appalachia, in partnership with seven regional universities.
- 41 peer-reviewed publications and 90 presentations.
- Expanded partnership with the Tennessee Department of Health’s Office of Healthy Aging to identify areas of need and evaluate programs that support older adults.
- Renewed funding for ETSU/NORC Rural Health Research Center, in partnership with the NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis.
Looking Ahead
CRHR continues to build on its mission of improving rural health through community engagement, policy, research and training. With ongoing support from the State of Tennessee and Ballad Health, the center is poised to deepen its impact in the coming years, leveraging data, partnerships and community insight to inform actionable solutions for rural challenges.
“To reach five years with this level of momentum is both humbling and energizing,” said Meit. “We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished and even more excited about what’s ahead.”
To explore CRHR’s initiatives and view the full 2025 Annual Report, visit https://bit.ly/etsu_crhr_25.
