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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Economics and the economy

A Road Map for Asset Based Investing in Central Appalachia
Report highlighting various wellbeing and community asset measures in the Appalachian region in the areas of economics, population health, infrastructure, housing, health facilities, and more. Discusses the associations between wellbeing and community assets as well as the implications for investment.
Date: 08/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky, Reinvestment Fund
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Advancing Economic Development in Persistent-Poverty Communities
Examines census tracts to identify areas of "persistent poverty," defined as an area with at least a 20% poverty rate for at least 30 years. Discusses the distribution of the persistently poor population between rural and urban areas and highlights specific regions such as the Southeast, Tribal areas, and Appalachia. Outlines contributors to persistent poverty including workforce development, lack of infrastructure, race and ethnicity, economic conditions, and more. Presents 4 case studies, including 2 rural studies, to highlight overall themes and make recommendations for improving conditions in persistently poor locations. Interactive map provides information and data on persistent poverty counties.
Additional links: Executive Summary, Interactive Map
Author(s): August Benzow, Kenan Fikri, Joanne Kim, Daniel Newman
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Economic Innovation Group
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The Impacts of Opioid Addiction on the Rural Workforce
A recorded webinar that examines how the rural workforce has been impacted by opioid addiction. Discusses issues of healthcare access, poverty, mental health, and farmworker health, along with data on workforce impacts. Includes resources to support opioid recovery and examples of recovery efforts in specific regions, such as Appalachia.
Additional links: Executive Summary, Presentation, Transcript
Author(s): Kellie Kubena, Carol Wetuski, Lauren Wood, et al.
Date: 06/2023
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organizations: Appalachian Regional Commission, First Tennessee Development District, Office of Workforce Investment (OWI), U.S. Department of Agriculture
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Inflation Does Vary Between Rural and Urban Minnesota
Examines inflation differences between rural and urban Minnesota and discusses issues such as demand, supply chain, and workforce shortages. Includes rural versus urban comparisons of expenses, discretionary income, and total income.
Author(s): Marnie Werner
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Policy and Development
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Rural Healthy People 2030: New Decade, New Challenges
Examines survey of 1,475 rural stakeholders about their priorities from the Healthy People 2030 initiative to develop Rural Healthy People 2030. Data include tables ranking responses including mental health, healthcare access, substance misuse, economic stability, and more. Discusses how priorities have shifted from Rural Healthy People 2010 and Rural Healthy People 2020.
Author(s): Timothy Callaghan, Morgan Kassabian, Natasha Johnson, et al.
Citation: Preventive Medicine Reports, 33(2023), 1-6
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
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Rural Healthy People 2030: Common Challenges, Rural Nuances
Policy brief focused on Rural Healthy People 2030, a companion piece to the Healthy People 2030 initiative with a focus on health priorities of rural populations. Features rural stakeholder perspectives on the top 20 Rural Healthy People priorities with breakdowns by census region, Medicaid expansion status, gender, age, race, and field of employment.
Author(s): Morgan Kassabian, Aakriti Shrestha, Timothy Callaghan, et al.
Date: 05/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
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Elevating Equity in Economic Development: Inclusive Recovery Toolkit and Inclusive Recovery Guide
Presents a framework for communities to elevate equity and inclusivity in economic development and recovery projects. Explores post-COVID-19 economic recovery strategies that support inclusive growth and equitable outcomes. Highlights example projects throughout the country. Features considerations for rural communities, including rural transportation and childcare projects.
Additional links: Interactive Toolkit
Date: 05/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Development Organizations
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Investing in Rural Capacity: Comprehensive Summary of the National Rural Development Stakeholder Listening Sessions
Discusses investments in capacity that improve quality of life in rural areas. Reports on responses from organizational stakeholders from the 4 U.S. Regional Rural Development Centers based on survey data and listening sessions that took place between 2021 and 2022. Focuses on strategies to address physical infrastructure, workforce and economic development, community vibrancy, climate change, health, agriculture and food systems, and equity in rural areas.
Author(s): Jason S. Entsminger, John J. Green, Rachel Welborn, et al.
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Regional Rural Development Centers
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The Ethnically and Racially Uneven Role of Water Infrastructure Spending in Rural Economic Development
Evaluates local government spending on water infrastructure between 1980 and 2015 in non-metropolitan areas to determine the impact on rural economies. Also considers how these measures change when accounting for the predominant race and ethnicity of the residents in these counties.
Author(s): J. Tom Mueller, Stephen Gasteyer
Citation: Nature Water, 1, 74-82
Date: 01/2023
Type: Document
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Human Services in Rural Contexts: Comprehensive Report
Provides an overview of human services in rural areas, with information focused on human services programs and benefits, economic and social well-being, persistent poverty communities, and adaptations to overcome access barriers in rural areas. Includes tables, graphs, and county-level U.S. maps depicting human services needs.
Author(s): Emily Brimsek, James Murdoch, Emma Ward, Neel Chakraborti, Ashton Cain
Date: 01/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: 2M Research, Administration for Children and Families, Urban Institute
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