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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Environmental health

Nutritional Status and Socio-Ecological Factors Associated with Overweight/Obesity at a Rural-Serving US-Mexico Border University
Examines the prevalence of obesity and the environmental factors associated with promoting weight gain and not being conducive to weight loss at a U.S.–Mexico border university serving rural populations.
Author(s): Susan Wilson, Amanda Gallivan, Cindy Kratzke, Anup Amatya
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 12(4), 2228
Date: 11/2012
Type: Document
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Childhood Asthma in Rural-Urban Areas
Examines how asthma may be related to rural areas adjacent or non-adjacent to larger population centers, to variation in measures of air quality, to varying levels of agricultural and animal production, and to other characteristics such as obesity, race/ethnicity, or health insurance.
Additional links: Policy Brief
Author(s): Michael Hendryx, Matthew Gurka, Melissa Ahern, Heidi Putman
Date: 05/2012
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: West Virginia Rural Health Research Center
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Exploring Geographic Variation in Lung Cancer Incidence in Kentucky Using a Spatial Scan Statistic: Elevated Risk in the Appalachian Coal-Mining Region
Discusses mining-related environmental factors which may contribute to high rates of lung cancer in 30 Kentucky counties. Includes breakdowns by sex, age group, smoking history, county-level lung cancer rates from 1995-2007, and coal production rates from 1983-2007.
Author(s): W. Jay Christian, Bin Huang, John Rinehart, Claudia Hopenhayn
Citation: Public Health Reports, 126(6)
Date: 11/2011
Type: Document
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Environmental Workforce Characteristics in the Rural Public Health Sector
Analyzes the environmental workforce characteristics of the rural public health sector to inform policy relative to coordination of rural environmental health services. Addresses environmental activities performed by local health departments.
Additional links: Policy Brief
Author(s): Cynthia Armstrong Persily, Johnna S. Beane, Mary Glenn Rice
Date: 06/2011
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: West Virginia Rural Health Research Center
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Health-Related Quality of Life Among Central Appalachian Residents in Mountaintop Mining Counties
Examines the health-related quality of life of residents in mountaintop mining counties of Appalachia using the 2006 national Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
Author(s): Keith J. Zullig, Michael Hendryx
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 101(5), 848-853
Date: 05/2011
Type: Document
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Long-Term Low-Level Arsenic Exposure Is Associated with Poorer Neuropsychological Functioning: A Project FRONTIER Study
Discusses the potential link of arsenic exposure and neuropsychological functioning in rural-dwelling adults and elders.
Author(s): Sid E. O'Bryant, Melissa Edwards, Chloe V. Menon, Gordon Gong, Robert Barber
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 8(3), 861-874
Date: 03/2011
Type: Document
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Private Well Testing in Oregon from Real Estate Transactions: An Innovative Approach Toward a State-Based Surveillance System
Examines health problems caused by well water contaminants and reports increased risks in rural areas due to agricultural fertilizer use, feedlot operations, leaking septic systems, and aboveground application of wastewater. Compares Oregon's and New Jersey's laws concerning well testing and includes Oregon maps showing locations of private wells with high and moderate nitrate levels and evidence of coliform bacteria.
Author(s): Brenda O. Hoppe, Anna K. Harding, Jennifer Staab, Marina Counter
Citation: Public Health Reports, 126(1)
Date: 01/2011
Type: Document
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Local and Regional Food Systems for Rural Futures
Explores the opportunities for social, economic, and environmental challenges in the local and regional food movement and systems for rural populations.
Author(s): Jennifer Jensen
Date: 11/2010
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute
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Toxics Release Inventory Discharges and Population Health Outcomes in Rural and Urban Areas of the United States
Examines whether chemical releases from facilities monitored through the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) program were associated with population mortality rates and birth outcomes for both rural and urban populations.
Additional links: Policy Brief
Author(s): Michael Hendryx, Evan Fedorko, Juhua Luo
Date: 08/2010
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: West Virginia Rural Health Research Center
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Key Environmental Health Competencies for Rural Primary Care Providers
Identifies a set of basic environmental health competencies that are needed by all rural primary care providers in order to direct healthcare and education policy. Covers assessment, diagnosis, management, and evaluation. Describes the process used in developing the list of key competencies.
Additional links: Policy Brief
Author(s): Cynthia Armstrong Persily, Johnna S. Beane, Mary Glenn Rice
Date: 05/2010
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: West Virginia Rural Health Research Center
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