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Resources by Topic: Health conditions

Evaluating the Impact of Altitudinal Variations on COVID-19 Mortality Rates: A Comprehensive Analysis
Examines the effects of high altitude on county-level COVID-19 mortality, fatality rates, and vaccination outcomes, utilizing January 2020-August 2022 New York Times COVID-19 repository and American Community Survey data. Includes data on fatality by level of rurality in the pre- and post-vaccination periods.
Author(s): Emre Karsli, Damla Anbarli Metin, Arda Kocatas, et al.
Citation: BMC Pulmonary Medicine, 25, 413
Date: 08/2025
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County-Level Cervical Cancer Screening Coverage and Differences in Incidence and Mortality
Research letter analyzing differences in cervical cancer incidence and mortality by rates of screening at the county level, utilizing SEER-22 database data. Identifies associations between county-level rurality, low income, and low repeat screening coverage. Highlights counties in Texas, Idaho, and New Mexico counties with low screening coverage and discusses targeted screening efforts in underserved areas.
Author(s): Trisha L. Amboree, Jane R. Montealegre, Haluk Damgacioglu, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(8), e2526709
Date: 08/2025
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Hospital Health Information Exchange Participation and Heart Failure Discharges to Skilled Nursing Facilities: A Cohort Study
Examines the correlation of health information exchange (HIE) participation and admission to skilled nursing facilities (SNF) following a heart failure (HF) hospital discharge. Utilizes 2018 Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPar) file data to analyze 385,895 HF discharges according to SNF admission and HIE participation. Includes breakdowns by patient demographics, urban/rural status, hospital ownership, hospital type and bed size, length of stay, and more.
Author(s): Sara D. Turbow, Camille P. Vaughan, Mohammed K. Ali, Steven D. Culler
Citation: BMC Health Services Research, 25, 1079
Date: 08/2025
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Quantitative Effects of Mechanical Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Devices in Rural American Emergency Medical Services: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Examines the effect of mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest incidents in rural areas and the usefulness of new technologies on rural emergency medical services (EMS). Utilizes 2017–2019 National Emergency Medical Services Information System data to analyze 585 rural cardiac arrests and the impact of mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation on EMS care quality.
Author(s): Peter H. King, Esmaeil Bahalkeh
Citation: International Journal of Emergency Medicine, 18, 151
Date: 08/2025
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Depressive Symptoms Among Rural Americans
Analyzes characteristics of individuals with depression in rural areas. Utilizes 2024 National Health Interview Survey data and examines metro versus nonmetro demographic profile of individuals with depression as well as their health-related behaviors, physical limitations, and functional impairments.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
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Community Navigation Intervention for Social Needs in Patients With Abnormal Mammography: A Randomized Controlled Trial Study Protocol
Presents a study exploring the efficacy of community navigators, such as 211, to help alleviate unmet social needs and change the likelihood of cancer patients with unmet social needs to complete their follow-up care. Discusses the importance of follow-up care in the treatment and prevention of cancer and the barriers individuals with unmet social needs face to receive it. Explores rurality as a potential barrier.
Author(s): Kirstin Beck, Mackenzie Mitchell, Andrea S. Wallace, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 25, 2926
Date: 08/2025
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Geographic Disparities in Access to Outpatient Stroke Rehabilitation in Texas
Examines rural-urban disparities in access to and use of outpatient stroke rehabilitation services in Texas, utilizing 2016-2019 Medicare claims data in addition to a survey of Texas clinics.
Author(s): Joseph Wozny, Melissa Howard, Susan Doherty, et al.
Citation: PLOS ONE, 20(8), e0328267.
Date: 08/2025
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Rural and Urban Differences in Prostate Cancer Recurrence
Examines rates of prostate cancer recurrence among 778 rural and urban men, utilizing data from the North Carolina Prostate Cancer Comparative Effectiveness Survivor Study. Analyzes the association of rurality and other demographic and clinical factors with recurrence.
Author(s): Julia B. Balmaceda, Aaron J. Katz, Katelyn Kane, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(8), e2526912
Date: 08/2025
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Precision Public Health Alliances as a Model and Method for Community Engagement
Examines the Precision Public Health Alliance (PPHA) approach of utilizing analytics to map social, demographic, and clinical comorbidity variables onto colorectal cancer (CRC) screening data in rural northeastern Kentucky and southeastern Ohio. Provides data on the relationship among sociodemographic information, clinical outcomes, and CRC screening to assess community needs. Discusses the importance of understanding social determinants of health (SDOH) and community collaboration when addressing population health.
Author(s): Margaret L. McGladrey, Mary Elizabeth Lacy, Kristen McQuerry, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 13
Date: 08/2025
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Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program AIDS Education and Training Center (AETC) Program: Annual Data Report, 2023
Reports on the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program's AIDS Education and Training Center (AETC) Program, which focuses on increasing the size and skills of the HIV clinical workforce, improving HIV care outcomes, and decreasing HIV transmission. Provides AETC Program data for the years 2018-2023 on participants' rural/suburban/urban employment settings and training events focused on rural populations.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau
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