Les Stone: Health Care In The Appalachians

A sad state of affairs in the world's richest country

Black lung, heart disease, diabetes and drug abuse just a few of the problems that have come with poverty in McDowell County. After several years of decline black lung disease is on the rise among all the miners. Many of the formerly rich towns in the area are now little more than ghost towns and still the only jobs that pay more than minimum wage are the most dangerous jobs in the world. Very few people here have health care insurance or access to medical clinics.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• Series Information