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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Environmental health

Photovoice Reveals Residents' Concerns for Air and Water Quality in Industry-Impacted Rural Community
Provides results of utilizing the photovoice method to assess how a predominantly Black community in rural North Carolina perceives their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Discusses issues such as environmental justice, the impact of landfill and confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) on population health, and the benefits of using photovoice to research environmental health in underserved areas.
Author(s): Shelby M. Rimmler, Sarah Shaughnessy, Ellis Tatum, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(9), 5656
Date: 05/2023
Type: Document
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The Use of Qualitative Methods to Guide the Development of the Border Resilience Scale in a Participatory Research Study
Highlights a study on the effect of social and ecological stressors for Mexican-origin adults residing along the U.S.-Mexico border on their physical and psychological health. Explores the factors that contribute to community resilience and emotional and physical wellness.
Author(s): Maia Ingram, Karina R. DueƱas, Idolina Castro, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(9), 5703
Date: 05/2023
Type: Document
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Pesticide Exposure Among Latinx Children in Rural Farmworker and Urban Non-Farmworker Communities: Associations With Locality and Season
Presents a study on pesticide exposure of Latinx children. Compares exposure rates of rural children from farmworker families and urban children from non-farmworker families. Breaks down data by gender, family size, and types of pesticide detected, among other measures.
Author(s): Thomas A. Arcury, Haiying Chen, Sara A. Quandt, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(9), 5647
Date: 04/2023
Type: Document
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Automation, Climate Change, and the Future of Farm Work: Cross-Disciplinary Lessons for Studying Dynamic Changes in Agricultural Health and Safety
Presents a literature review of studies on agricultural health and safety and the future of farm labor. Discusses the role climate change and automation will play in changing the agricultural work environment.
Author(s): Matt Comi, Florence Becot, Casper Bendixsen
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(6), 4778
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
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Adult Asthma Associated with Roadway Density and Housing in Rural Appalachia: The Mountain Air Project (MAP)
Describes the Mountain Air Project (MAP) in rural Appalachia and the relationship between asthma and small area environmental exposures, such as roadways, mining operations, oil and gas wells, and more. Includes maps showing geographic distribution of potential environmental health exposures as well as data of citizens with asthma broken down by demographic information, housing status, health behaviors, and environmental exposures.
Author(s): W. Jay Christian, John Flunker, Beverly May, et al.
Citation: Environmental Health, 22, 28
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
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Train Derailments in Rural and Urban Pennsylvania, 2018 to 2022
Fact sheet analyzing train derailments in Pennsylvania and the U.S. from 2018 to November 30, 2022, using data from the Federal Railroad Administration's Office of Safety Analysis. Features state-level and Pennsylvania county-level maps showing locations and numbers of derailments, and statistics on types, costs, and speeds of derailments, with breakdowns by rural and urban locations.
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Assessing Geographic Variability in Key Indicators of Air Quality: A Rural vs. Urban Comparison of Pollution and Socio-Economic Factors
Results of a study to examine rates of air pollution between rural and urban census tracts, using data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Air Quality System web portal for the years 2000-2020. Features statistics including mean concentrations of fine particulate matter air pollution (PM2.5) and ozone in rural and urban census tracts, and maps showing concentrations of PM2.5 for census tracts by EPA region.
Author(s): Daniel Kilpatrick, Jeremy Cothran, Stella Self, et al.
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural and Minority Health Research Center (formerly the South Carolina Rural Health Research Center)
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Facing Unique Challenges, Rural Communities Find Unique Solutions to Protect Against Wildfire Smoke Exposure
Discusses the impact of wildfire smoke on health and describes efforts in rural Idaho, Nevada, and Washington to address air quality concerns.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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The State of Health in Tennessee: 2023 Annual Report to the 113th Tennessee General Assembly
Provides a comprehensive overview of health in Tennessee, including health outcomes of individuals and information on the health of the state's healthcare system. Includes statistics on rural hospitals that have closed in recent years, and those at risk of closure as of 2022. Features county-level maps showing Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Date: 01/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Tennessee Department of Health
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Ohio Health Value Dashboard: A Closer Look at Outdoor Air Pollution and Health
Discusses the causes of air pollution in Ohio and the impact of air quality on population and individual health. Examines air pollution exposure by race/ethnicity and county. Provides suggestions for policies that can improve air quality and population health.
Date: 01/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Health Policy Institute of Ohio
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