Same Sky · Appalachia · 13 states  ·  423 counties
The Appalachia Child Health Poll

Coming fall 2026.
In the field now.

The Same Sky Appalachia poll is a national survey of parents and caregivers — with an oversample of ARC-defined Appalachian counties — designed to make Appalachian families visible within national data. Results will be released publicly this fall.

National poll with Appalachian oversample is in the field — national and regional results expected fall 2026. Sign up below to be notified.
What this poll is

National data. An Appalachian lens.

The Same Sky Appalachia poll is a nationally representative survey of parents and caregivers — with a deliberate oversample of ARC-defined Appalachian counties. That design is the point: national polls rarely include enough Appalachian respondents to say anything meaningful about the region. This one does.

The national sample gives us a benchmark. The Appalachian oversample gives us resolution. Together, they allow us to ask: how do the health and wellbeing of children in Appalachian communities compare to children across the country — and where do the gaps matter most?

The poll is not designed to confirm what researchers already think they know. It is designed to hear what families actually say — about health and wellbeing, food security, safety, and what a good life for their children looks like.

Poll design
Sample design
National with Appalachian oversample
A nationally representative sample of parents and caregivers, with an oversample of ARC-defined Appalachian counties — enabling direct national-to-regional comparisons
Who is surveyed
Parents and caregivers of children
A national sample of adults raising children, with additional respondents from ARC-designated Appalachian counties across 13 states
Comparability
National Survey of Children's Health
Key items are drawn from or designed to be comparable to the NSCH, enabling direct national comparisons
University partners
University of Kentucky & WVU
Co-investigators at UK and West Virginia University lead regional analysis and community engagement
Release
Fall 2026 — open access
Full findings shared freely with community partners, policymakers, and the public
What we are asking about

The topics that matter most to families

The poll asks parents and caregivers across the country — and across Appalachian communities — about the areas that matter most to families raising children today.

01

Children's health and healthcare access

Whether children have access to the care they need — including primary care, specialty care, dental, and mental health services.

02

Food security

Whether families have reliable access to enough food — and what that means for how children learn, grow, and feel.

03

Mental health and wellbeing

How children are doing emotionally — and whether families have access to support when they need it.

04

Safety and child welfare

Whether children are safe at home, at school, and in their communities — and what parents say they need to keep them that way.

05

Economic stability and opportunity

The economic conditions that shape children's lives — and whether families feel their children have a real shot at a good future.

06

What parents believe and want

What families think government and communities should prioritize — and what they believe it would take to make real progress for children.

Where we are

Timeline

Instrument design complete

The poll instrument was developed with community input and draws on validated national surveys, including items comparable to the National Survey of Children's Health.

In the field — now

The poll is currently in the field nationally, with an oversample of parents and caregivers in ARC-defined Appalachian counties.

Active
Community listening sessions — underway

Same Sky team members are holding listening sessions with Appalachian families in parallel with the poll — in 2026, across the region. Findings will be woven into the fall report.

Active
Analysis and partner review

University of Kentucky and West Virginia University co-investigators will lead regional analysis and review findings before publication.

Coming soon
Public release — Fall 2026

The full report — including national findings and Appalachian-specific results — will be released publicly and shared freely with community partners, policymakers, researchers, and the public.

Fall 2026
Stay informed

Be the first to see the findings.

Leave your email and we will notify you when the fall 2026 report is released.

Or email us at info@samesky.org

Thank you — we will be in touch when findings are released.