Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Community and faith-based initiatives

A Healthy Attitude: Rural Leaders in TN County Organize to Address Well-Being in Appalachia
Describes ways in which local leaders in Grundy County, Tennessee implemented programs to promote physical activity, support children and families, increase access to philanthropic resources, and establish a working relationship with a nearby university.
Author(s): Tim Marema, Erin Bouldin
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 2(1), 60-64
Date: 2020
Type: Document
view details
Development and Early Outcomes of the Watauga Compassionate Community Initiative, North Carolina
Examines the work of a rural North Carolina community group dedicated to promoting health and resiliency on the local level, by preventing childhood trauma and helping adults who had adverse childhood experiences. Describes their organizing model, including goals of raising awareness, using data to inform actions, and creating context for health families through policies.
Author(s): Tim Marema, Erin Bouldin
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 2(1), 41-46
Date: 2020
Type: Document
view details
School-based Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Program for Increasing Vaccine Uptake in an Underserved Area in Texas
Study comparing community-based Human Papillomavirus (HPV) education with school-based vaccination paired with education in a rural area in Texas. Draws data from 2,307 middle school students between August 2016 – April 2018. Discusses the impact of having on-site vaccination events in addition to community-based education.
Author(s): Sapna Kaul, Thuy Quynh N. Do, Enshuo Hsu, et al.
Citation: Papillomavirus Research, 8, 100189
Date: 12/2019
Type: Document
view details
The Strong African American Families Program Improves Lives of Rural African American Youth
Video with transcript, describing a program developed by the Center for Family Research at the University of Georgia, designed to foster wellbeing and improve outcomes for rural African American young people ages 10-14. Describes challenges they face, and explores ways in which the program strengthens parenting, promotes youth protective factors, and decreases the likelihood that participants will engage in high-risk behaviors, including substance abuse.
Date: 12/2019
Type: Document, Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: National Institute on Drug Abuse
view details
Community-Driven Strategies to Address Stigma and Build Healthier Communities in Maine
Describes 3 communities working to reduce stigma in order to create equitable systems that enhance the health and well-being of Maine residents. Presents community responses to reducing stigma, common themes, and implications for complex system change initiatives in health.
Author(s): Susan Foster, Teresa Doksum
Date: 11/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Maine Health Access Foundation
view details
Promising Practice: Sowing the Seeds of Healthy Eating in Rural Indiana
Illustrates how a training and education program for rural residents living in 7 rural communities within the New Allen Alliance (NAA), a partnership of communities in eastern Allen County, Indiana, encourages healthy cooking, access to healthy foods, and improved health.
Author(s): Beth Blevins
Date: 11/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
view details
Disrupting Food Insecurity: Steps Communities Can Take
Offers possible solutions to challenges that affect families' ability to afford a healthy diet. Explores strategies developed specifically to meet needs of overlooked rural communities, including help with housing and transportation.
Additional links: Interactive Data Dashboard
Author(s): Caroline Ratcliffe, Elaine Waxman, Cary Lou, Hannah Hassani, Victoria Tran
Date: 10/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Urban Institute
view details
Promising Practice: Forum on Aging in Rural Oregon Brings Together Innovative Ideas and Programs
Features a promising practice on rural aging from Oregon State Office of Rural Health. The annual Forum on Aging in Rural Oregon allows community organizations to come together to share ideas and resources on what works to address the needs of an aging population in their communities.
Author(s): Beth Blevins
Date: 09/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
view details
Multilevel Faith-Based Public Health Initiative in Rural Alabama, 2017
Examines the impact of Live Well Faith Communities, a 9-week, faith-based health promotion initiative undertaken in 14 faith communities in rural Alabama. Describes faith community policy and environmental changes related to promoting healthy eating and physical activity. Also discusses participant lifestyle changes.
Author(s): Alicia R. Powers, Ruth W. Brock, Katie Funderburk, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 16
Date: 08/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
view details
Improving Physical Activity and Outdoor Recreation in Rural Alabama Through Community Coalitions
Describes a community-based obesity reduction and prevention initiative which used community coalitions to implement research-based interventions. Interventions focused on improving opportunities for physical activity in 14 Alabama counties with high rates of obesity. Reports on the types of interventions implemented and their potential reach.
Author(s): William M. Carter, Wayde C. Morse, Ruth W. Brock, Barbara Struempler
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 16
Date: 08/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
view details