Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

Chronic Diseases and Associated Risk Factors Among Adults in Puerto Rico After Hurricane Maria
Highlights a study on the prevalence of chronic diseases in Puerto Rico before Hurricane Maria and the level of support available to patients before and after the storm. Bases conclusions on 2 studies conducted in 2015 and 2019. Breaks down data by participant characteristics, such as age, employment, and rurality of residence, among other measures.
Author(s): Josiemer Mattei, Martha Tamez, June O'Neill, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 5(1), e2139986
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
view details
High-Performing Rural Health System
Update to the September 2011 RUPRI Health Panel document "The High Performance Rural Health Care System of the Future." Describes affordable and accessible healthcare for all rural residents through a sustainable system delivering high quality, high value services. Defines pillars of accessibility, affordability, community health, and quality.
Author(s): Andrew Coburn, Alva O. Ferdinand, Alana Knudson, et al.
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
view details
An Enhanced Method for Identifying Hospital-Based Obstetric Unit Status
Results of a study using data from American Hospital Association annual surveys from 2010-2018 to conduct single- and multi-year assessments of obstetric unit status and to identify closures of obstetric units. Compares results obtained through the enhanced method with results of a survey sample of rural hospitals with obstetric units open at the time of the assessment and those with recently closed units.
Author(s): Julia D. Interrante, Caitlin Carroll, Sara C. Handley, Katy Kozhimannil
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
view details
Examining Barriers and Facilitators to Palliative Care Access in Rural Areas: A Scoping Review
Presents findings from a review of 28 peer-reviewed studies regarding barriers and facilitators to access to palliative care in rural areas. Covers perspectives from patients, families, and providers.
Author(s): Yun Cai, Nasreen Lalani
Citation: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, 39(1), 123-130
Date: 2022
Type: Document
view details
Arkansas Red County: County Life Expectancy Profile 2022
Report on Arkansas's Red Counties, defined as the Arkansas counties with a life expectancy at birth more than 6 years below the Arkansas county with the highest life expectancy at birth. Offers comparisons of red and non-red counties over time and analysis of health outcomes, behaviors, clinical care indicators, social and economic factors, and physical environment factors for red counties.
Date: 2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Arkansas Department of Health, Arkansas Minority Health Commission, Office of Health Disparities Elimination
view details
Vermont Oral Health Plan 2022
Describes the oral health plan for Vermont including the burden of oral disease, prevention strategies, surveillance and assessment, school-based dental programs, and the oral health workforce. Addresses challenges for people living in rural areas, including healthcare access.
Date: 2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Vermont Department of Health
view details
Michigan Center for Rural Health 2022 Annual Report
Provides an overview of the mission, programming, events, and outreach of the Michigan Center for Rural Health. Focuses on issues such as health workforce education, healthcare access, social determinants of health (SDOH), emergency medical services (EMS), hospital programs, and more.
Date: 2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Michigan Center for Rural Health
view details
2022 Mississippi State Health Improvement Plan
Describes a plan for health improvement in Mississippi for the period 2022-2026, and includes an overview of current public health challenges. Presents objectives associated with reducing health disparities and addressing social determinants of health, including obesity reduction and improved access to preventative care. Identifies affected groups, including people in rural areas.
Date: 2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Mississippi State Department of Health, Mississippi State Health Assessment and Improvement Committee (SHAIC)
view details
Comparing Two Telehealth Approaches for Treating Complex Psychiatric Disorders in Primary Care -- The SPIRIT Study
Details a study on the use of telepsychiatry and telepsychology to treat complex psychiatric disorders in rural primary care settings. Discusses a trials done in 24 primary care clinics without behavioral health services. Compares models of care and draws conclusions from survey data.
Additional links: Audio Abstract Recording, En Español, Research Summary
Author(s): John C. Fortney, Jürgen Unützer
Date: 2022
Type: Document
view details
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Rural Postpartum Mothers in the United States: Prevalence, Severity, and Psychosocial Correlates
Results of a study exploring the severity of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) among postpartum women living in communities of 50,000 or fewer people. Features statistics including characteristics of participants and associations with PFD symptoms.
Author(s): Kailey Snyder, Elizabeth Mollard, Kari Bargstadt-Wilson, et al.
Citation: Women Health, 62(9-10), 775–787
Date: 2022
Type: Document
view details