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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Children and youth

Shaping Summertime Experiences: Opportunities to Promote Healthy Development and Well-Being for Children and Youth
Examines the impact of summertime experiences on school-age children and youth related to academic learning, social and emotional development, physical and mental health, and health-promoting and safety behaviors. Includes discussion of rural residence and its impact on children's access to supportive services, including food programs, during the summer.
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): Committee on Summertime Experiences and Child and Adolescent Education, Health, and Safety
Date: 2019
Sponsoring organization: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Fostering Healthy Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Development in Children and Youth
Report highlights research on mental, emotional, and behavioral development in children and youth. Describes the different challenges for cognitive development in both urban and rural areas and explores the necessary structures that facilitate regular development. Available for free download with login.
Date: 2019
Sponsoring organization: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Change in Site of Children's Primary Care: A Longitudinal Population-Based Analysis
Results of a study examining the proportion of children seen at family practice and pediatrician practices in Vermont over time, and the influence of demographics and rurality on this trend. Features statistics on change in site of children's primary care for the years between 2009-2016, with breakdowns by patient home locations in urban, large town, small town, or isolated rural area.
Author(s): Richard C. Wasserman, Susan E. Varni, Matthew C. Hollander
Citation: Annals of Family Medicine, 17(5), 390-395
Date: 2019
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A Three-Year Multifaceted Intervention to Prevent Obesity in Children of Mexican-Heritage
Examines the effects of a community-based intervention to reduce the rate of body mass index (BMI) growth among Mexican-heritage children living in the rural areas of California's central valley.
Author(s): Banafsheh Sadeghi, Lucia L. Kaiser, Meagan M. Hanbury, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 19, 582
Date: 2019
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Northern New Hampshire Youth in a Changing Rural Economy: A Ten-Year Perspective
Examines the issue of young people leaving rural communities in a longitudinal study with a focus on Northern New Hampshire in order to inform grantmaking activities. Addresses influences on their reasons to leave or stay, the impact of the economy changing from manufacturing to healthcare and other sectors, factors such as home environment and mental health, sense of community, and more.
Author(s): Eleanor M. Jaffee, Corinna Jenkins Tucker, Karen T. Van Gundy, Erin Hiley Sharp, Cesar J. Rebellon
Date: 2019
Sponsoring organization: Carsey School of Public Policy
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The Ecology of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Summarizes results from an 8-state study of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a drug withdrawal condition that may occur in newborns exposed to opioids during pregnancy. Discusses correlations to rurality, unemployment rates, poverty, and the supply of healthcare providers, and identifies potential policy interventions that could help. For interactive, county-level data, see the Simulation of County Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Rates Tool based on study findings.
Additional links: Simulation of County Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Rates Tool
Date: 2019
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
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Hearing Norton Sound: A Community Randomised Trial Protocol to Address Childhood Hearing Loss in Rural Alaska
Profiles a study evaluating a school hearing screening and referral process to determine if it helped to improve the treatment of childhood hearing loss in rural Alaska.
Author(s): Susan D. Emmett, Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Nae-Yuh Wang, et al.
Citation: BMJ Open, 9(1), e023078
Date: 2019
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Achieving Behavioral Health Equity for Children, Families, and Communities: Proceedings of a Workshop
Summarizes findings from a November 2017 workshop focused on exploring health equity in children and families. Chapter 4 includes discussion on healthcare quality and access for behavioral health services in rural communities. Offers suggestions for initiatives, policies, and programs to support behavioral health promotion, access behavioral health services, and improve the social determinants of health.
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): Sarah Tracey, Erin Kellogg, Clarissa Sanchez, Wendy Keenan
Date: 2019
Sponsoring organizations: Board on Children, Youth, and Families, Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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America's Child Care Deserts in 2018
Assesses child care availability in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with discussion on how limited or complete lack of access disproportionately impacts rural and other populations. Includes discussion on child care deserts and provides a list of policy recommendations to increase access to low-cost and high-quality child care.
Author(s): Rasheed Malik, Katie Hamm, Leila Schochet, et al.
Date: 12/2018
Sponsoring organization: Center for American Progress
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Rural and Appalachian Disparities in Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Incidence and Access to Opioid Abuse Treatment
Examines the disparity of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) prevalence in Appalachian and non-Appalachian Kentucky and in comparison to national data. Considers why data from this study may or may not be useful in identifying regional and national trends. Also discusses the challenges of providing substance use treatment to pregnant women and Appalachian populations.
Author(s): Joshua D. Brown, Amie J. Goodin, Jeffrey C. Talbert
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 34(1), 6-13
Date: 12/2018
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