The Journal of the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness (AppWell Journal) addresses the most salient regional problems and opportunities surrounding health and wellness in Western North Carolina and highlights the ongoing efforts of the Institute’s regional collaborations to address these through research, outreach, education/training, and program development.

Introduction

We are excited to introduce this issue of the AppWell Journal, which marks the first volume under our new name, the Journal of the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness (formerly the Journal of the Blue Cross NC Institute for Health and Human Services ). This change reflects our commitment to serving the Appalachian region of northwestern North Carolina, aligning our work more closely with the needs of the communities we support.

The Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness (AppWell), housed within the Beaver College of Health Sciences, is dedicated to promoting holistic health and well-being through multidisciplinary research, clinical services, community outreach, and educational initiatives. Our mission is to improve lives by advancing social, environmental, and healthcare innovations, and we are focused on enhancing the well-being of all community members in the region.

In this issue, we explore one of the most critical factors influencing health outcomes: physical activity. Numerous studies have shown that regular physical activity not only extends life expectancy but also improves the quality of life by promoting independence, physical health, and happiness throughout the lifespan. This volume highlights the work of the Healthy Outdoor Play and Exercise (HOPE) Lab, a unique interdisciplinary research team within AppWell. The HOPE Lab, composed of faculty and students from diverse disciplines, is dedicated to studying the benefits of outdoor physical activity and exploring strategies to encourage active lifestyles across all age groups.

By examining outdoor activity through a socioecological lens, the articles in this issue explore how different environments—ranging from individual and family settings to broader community and organizational contexts—can influence overall physical activity. The work presented in the following articles emphasizes the importance of creating supportive, healthy environments that promote engagement in outdoor settings and physical activity, with the goal of inspiring individuals and communities to fully utilize the resources available to them.

Through the HOPE Lab’s collaborative approach, which frequently involves both faculty and students working on interdisciplinary projects, a foundation for practical and innovative research is being built. The HOPE Lab Team believes that by embracing the outdoors and integrating physical activity into daily life, the residents of the Appalachian region can significantly enhance their health and well-being. This issue provides a deeper look into how outdoor activity can serve as a powerful tool for combating chronic diseases and improving health.

Dr. Rebecca A. Battista, Guest Editor

Dr. Gavin Colquitt, Editor

For more information about the HOPE Lab, its team members, projects, students, please visit https://hopelab.appstate.edu/.

To encourage more engagement in the outdoors, we invite you to download and listen to the HOPE Lab Podcast - Appalachian Outdoorosity  https://outdoorosity.podcasts.appstate.edu/ where we share stories about getting outside. In these podcasts HOPE Lab Team members interview different people that share their experiences in the outdoors­­­—from birding to gaining confidence to what to wear—all which may inspire you to also get outside.