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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Families

Validation of Remote Height and Weight Assessment in a Rural Randomized Clinical Trial
Examines the efficacy of having rural families take their own height and weight measurements to assess body mass index (BMI). Provides results for 38 families enrolled in the iAmHealthy Schools trial conducted within participating rural elementary schools. Discusses the potential of using remote BMI assessments during the COVID-19 pandemic and for families in hard-to-reach areas.
Author(s): Bethany Forseth, Ann M. Davis, Dana M. Bakula, et al.
Citation: BMC Medical Research Methodology, 22
Date: 07/2022
Type: Document
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Family Level Assessment and State of Home Visiting Outreach and Recruitment Study Report
Examines the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program to identify promising strategies for continued research as well as areas needing technical assistance, improvement, and evaluation. Reports on 266 programs to understand family capacity and need, how to frame outreach, promoting interest in home visits, collaborating with referral partners, and maintaining caseloads. Includes discussions specific to rural community contexts.
Author(s): Susan Zaid, Kim McCombs-Thornton, Leah Childress, et al.
Date: 06/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Children and Families
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Costs of Evidence-Based Early Childhood Home Visiting: Results from the Mother and Infant Home Visiting Program Evaluation
Examines how resources are allocated at Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program-funded local home visiting programs. Estimates the costs for each family served in Mother and Infant Home Visiting Program Evaluation (MIHOPE) and how these costs differ across families, local programs, and evidence-based models. Includes data comparing programs that serve only metropolitan, only nonmetropolitan, and both types of counties.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 06/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Children and Families
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On the Farm
Documentary miniseries explores mental health and substance misuse on the American farm. Discusses the factors that contribute to psychological stress and substance use in farm families. Features interviews with experts as well as farmers and their families.
Additional links: Film Website
Date: 06/2022
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Mississippi State University
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Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Retention Strategies with Head Start-Eligible Families Experiencing Adversity: A Review of the Literature
Examines Head Start recruitment, enrollment, and retention strategies in relation to families experiencing adversity. Reviews 39 research studies published between 2011 and 2021 to identify adversities experienced by Head Start-eligible families, such as poverty, homelessness, involvement with foster care and child welfare systems, and substance abuse. Includes information about unique adversities experienced in rural locations.
Author(s): Cassandra Baxter, Nikki Aikens, Louisa Tarullo, et al.
Date: 05/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: ACF Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, Brazelton Touchpoints Center, Mathematica
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Strategies to Support Healthy Relationships for American Indian and Alaska Native Fathers
Provides strategies that can be utilized by American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) fathers to develop strong coparenting and familial relationships that are based on AI/AN cultural values. Discusses benefits of supporting the fatherhood role, such as increased health and emotional benefits and a decrease in substance abuse and domestic violence in AI/AN communities. Includes strategies based on interviews with experts and fathers, a scan of available research, and an awareness of the historical trauma present in AI/AN communities.
Author(s): April Wilson, Isabel Griffith, Deana Around Him, et al.
Date: 04/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Administration for Children and Families, Child Trends
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Area-Level Deprivation and Adverse Childhood Experiences among High School Students in Maryland
Examines the frequency of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in adolescents in Maryland such as food insecurity and parental addiction, mental illness, violence, or incarceration. Reports on the 2018 Maryland Youth Risk Behavior Survey/Youth Tobacco Survey data of 41,091 adolescents to examine the connection between ACEs and area-level deprivation. Includes data breakdowns by rural/not rural county, age, sex, and sexual and gender minority (SGM) status.
Author(s): Shaheen Kurani, Lindsey Webb, Kechna Cadet, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 22, 811
Date: 04/2022
Type: Document
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The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthy Lifestyles in Rural Families
Evaluates the effects of the early COVID-19 pandemic on family health behaviors, utilizing thematic analysis of 30 interviews conducted from June 2020 through September 2020 with rural caregivers who were participants in a healthy lifestyles intervention. Discusses themes related to mental health, physical activity, time use, approaches to parenting and family routines, and food choice.
Author(s): Keisha M. England, Bethany Forseth, Maheen Bangash, et al.
Citation: Journal of Healthy Eating and Active Living, 2(1), 23-31
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
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The Impact of COVID-19 on Rural Treatment-Seeking Families with Children with Overweight or Obesity
Presents results of a May 2020 survey on parental stress, personal well-being, and family health behaviors during the early COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizes data from 77 rural Kansas parents whose children were participants in a 2nd to 4th grade pediatric obesity intervention.
Author(s): Bethany Forseth, Kelsey M. Dean, Megan Murray, et al.
Citation: Children's Health Care, 51(3), 300-315
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
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Parent Partners Provide Mentoring and Support in Rural Iowa
Features a statewide program in Iowa that pairs families whose children have been removed from the home with mentors with shared experience who have successfully navigated the state's Department of Human Services system. Describes the services that mentors provide: coaching, advocating, and connecting clients with community resources.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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