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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Children and youth

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 a special emphasis on how limited or complete lack of access disproportionately impacts rural and Hispanic/Latino 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 abuse 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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Diminished Trust of Healthcare Providers, Risky Lifestyle Behaviors, and Low Use of Health Services: A Descriptive Study of Rural Adolescents
Examines individual factors and traits that can predict trust with a healthcare provider, lifestyle behaviors, and health services utilization for adolescents in 9th and 12th grade in public high school in rural Indiana. Covers demographic statistics for study participants by age, sex, race/ethnicity, household income, and diagnosed conditions.
Author(s): Heather K. Hardin, Valerie Lander McCarthy, Barbara J. Speck, Timothy N. Crawford
Citation: Journal of School Nursing, 34(6), 458-467
Date: 12/2018
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Health Care, Family, and Community Factors Associated with Mental, Behavioral, and Developmental Disorders and Poverty Among Children Aged 2–8 Years — United States, 2016
Examines parental reports of mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders in children 2-8 years of age, comparing children in higher-income households with those in lower-income households. Includes data by urban/rural community status for urban, large rural, small rural, and isolated areas.
Author(s): Robyn A. Cree, Rebecca H. Bitsko, Lara R. Robinson, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 67(50), 1377-1383
Date: 12/2018
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Emergency Department Utilization by Native American Children
Examines pediatric emergency department (ED) utilization in Native American (NA) populations in urban and rural areas. Analyzes 8,294 visits by 5,275 NA patients and 44,503 visits by 33,945 White patients across 6 EDs between 2011-2012 to observe health disparities in different areas and populations. Includes data breakdowns of ED patient demographics and characteristics according to rural, mid-size urban, and large urban location.
Author(s): Heather G. Zook, Anupam B. Kharbanda, Susan E. Puumala, et al.
Citation: Pediatric Emergency Care, 34(11), 802-809
Date: 11/2018
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