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

Rural Libraries Implementing Walking Groups or Walking Groups plus Civic Engagement for Walkability in Rural Communities: A Comparative Effectiveness Trial Study Protocol
Describes a planned study on rural libraries and evidence-based health promotion programming. Will study both the effectiveness of multiple forms of community group-based walking programs as well as the ability of rural libraries to implement and evaluate them.
Author(s): Cynthia K. Perry, Rebecca Seguin-Fowler, Jay E. Maddock, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 23, 1895
Date: 2023
Type: Document
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Common Problems, Common Solutions: Looking Across Sectors at Strategies for Supporting Rural Youth and Families Tool-Kit
Provides an overview of barriers faced by rural communities in supporting youth and families, and innovative strategies to improve outcomes for youth, families, and communities. Informed by interviews and listening sessions with practitioners and leaders working in rural areas across the United States.
Author(s): Lisa Pilnik, Christine Humowitz
Date: 2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Georgetown University Center for Juvenile Justice Reform, U.S. Department of Justice
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Florence County Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse and Mental Health Coalition - Increasing Community Capacity and Resources through Partnership
Details a community effort to address substance use and mental health issues in rural Florence County, WI. Highlights the coalition's efforts to address the behavioral health of the county's youth and families through school-based efforts and discusses how collective action can address behavioral health issues in rural communities.
Date: 12/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Bright Research Group, County Health Rankings & Roadmaps
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Social Determinants of Health in the Age of COVID: Effects of Social Isolation Among Adults 62+ in Rural Pennsylvania
Results of a study analyzing the extent of social isolation among rural Pennsylvanians aged 62 or older during the pandemic, evaluating determinants of social isolation, identifying programs and services that minimize social isolation, and assessing potential replicability in Pennsylvania. Includes sections on factors such as mental health access, faith-based organizations, transportation, technology use, and housing options.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Christopher Harris, FangHsun Wei, Mary Rita Weller, Kelly Smith
Date: 11/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Exploration of Multilevel Barriers and Strategies That Affected Early COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing in Rural Latino Communities in Southwest Florida
Examines barriers and strategies affecting COVID-19 vaccination and testing uptake in rural Latino communities in southwest Florida. Uses data from interviews conducted between March-April 2021 with 25 key stakeholders including rural Latino community members, local leaders, and community health workers.
Author(s): Acadia W. Buro, Kevin Roman Candelaria, Rocio Bailey, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(18), 11785
Date: 09/2022
Type: Document
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Rural Health in Connecticut A Comprehensive Review of Social Determinants, Community Resources, Health Outcomes, and Wellbeing
Documents the nature of public health for Connecticut's rural populations with a focus on trends, to understand how these populations are changing. Features chapters on social determinants of health, healthcare systems, health risks and behaviors, and health outcomes.
Author(s): Kelly Davila, Camille Seaberry
Date: 06/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: DataHaven
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Rural Community Organizations Building Inclusive Environments for LGBTQ+ Residents
Highlights community-based organizations working to create more inclusive environments and programming for LGBTQ+ residents. Discusses the activities of organizations in Ohio, Virginia, and Washington supporting the improvement of LGBTQ+ health and quality of life.
Author(s): Mariana Tuttle, Robert Libal, Madeleine Pick, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 06/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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A Rural Community's Perspective on the Causes of and Solutions to the Opioid Crisis in Southern Virginia: A Qualitative Study
Results of a study to gain insight into the perceptions, knowledge, and experiences of members of a southern Virginia rural community affected by the opioid crisis, to inform the development of local strategies to address the problem. Examines barriers and facilitators to treatment programs and offers recommendations for targeting populations at risk.
Author(s): Angelina J. Hargrove, Carlin Rafie, Emily Zimmerman, Dawn E. Moser
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 22(2), 7152
Date: 06/2022
Type: Document
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Evaluation of a Family Connects Dissemination to Four High-Poverty Rural Counties
Results from the Family Connects postpartum home visiting program, conducted in 4 high-poverty rural eastern North Carolina counties from September 2014 through December 2015. Features statistics on Family Connects' impact on infant and parental health and well-being, with breakdowns by intervention group and comparison group.
Author(s): W. Benjamin Goodman, Kenneth A, Dodge, Yu Bai, Robert A. Murphy, Karen O'Donnell
Citation: Maternal and Child Health Journal, 26(5), 1067-1076
Date: 05/2022
Type: Document
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Community Clergy Training to Support Rural Veterans' Mental Health
Report discusses a mental health training program for clergy to support the mental health of rural veterans. Discusses the focuses of the training program and highlights outcomes from the increase of access to mental health support for rural veterans.
Date: 05/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Veterans Health Administration's Office of Rural Health
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