SWOT Analysis

Using a systems approach (i.e. not a band-aid, but a long-term approach), analyze the health of
Appalachian residents in Hidden America. Enter 2-3 Bullet points into each section of the table
below:

Strengths: What advantages or benefits do you see?

Weaknesses: What could be improved?

Opportunities: What trends do you see?

Threats: What obstacles are there?

Strengths Weaknesses

● Strong ties with family, those in the
community, and faith, bringing hope
to residents.
● Community health workers offering
affordable and accessible health care
services like a dental office on wheels
or a clinic charging patients whatever
they can spare for costs, but their main
focus is helping the health of this
impoverished population.
● Encouraging education more and
developing more opportunities like
trade schools to guarantee jobs that
will pay well and provide benefits.
● Addressing the issue of drug addiction
as a result of doctors overprescribing
narcotics. Better resources for
rehabilitation.
● Financial aid and government/state
programs for this population so
residents do not have to sell drugs in
order to survive.

Opportunities Threats

● Prescription drug abuse. ● Welfare dependency and drug abuse.

● Not enough money or lack of access to
education, nutritious food, health care
services for the most part, as well as
living in an unhealthy environment.
● Not many opportunities to escape
poverty other than working long hours
in a minimum wage paying job or
mining. One only allowing families to
make ends meet and the other having
long term health risks.