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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities

Geographic Variation and Racial Disparities in Adoption of Newer Glucose-Lowering Drugs with Cardiovascular Benefits among US Medicare Beneficiaries with Type 2 Diabetes
Analyzes the use of glucose-lowering drugs (GLDs) among people with type 2 diabetes, utilizing 2017-2018 Medicare Part D beneficiary claims data. Identifies rural-urban and racial disparities in GLD initiation rates, and discusses factors influencing equitable access to cardiovascular treatment.
Author(s): Wei-Han Chen, Yujia Li, Lanting Yang, et al.
Citation: Plos ONE, 19(1), e0297208
Date: 01/2024
Type: Document
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The Association of Alcohol Use and Heavy Drinking With Subsequent Handgun Carrying Among Youth From Rural Areas
Presents a study on the correlation between alcohol use and handgun carrying among rural youth. Examines past alcohol use by rural youth and young adults aged 12-26 on a scale of never used, used but not heavily, or used heavily. Breaks down data by participant characteristics, such as rebelliousness, family conflict, and education, among other factors.
Author(s): Alice M. Ellyson, Julia P. Schleimer, Kimberly Dalve, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 40(1), 181–191
Date: 01/2024
Type: Document
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Mapping AHRQ's 30-Year Investment in Primary Care Research (1990-2020)
Reports on Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) primary care research and its impacts on care delivery from 1990 to 2020. Discusses healthcare quality, equity, care models, person-centered care, workforce, technology, and more. Highlights rural-focused programs and research.
Author(s): M. Rockwell, J. Holtrop, A. Eden, et al.
Date: 01/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Mapping Access to Children's Hospitals in Texas
Compares the population of Texas children with the location of children's hospitals to assess distance to care, evaluate bed availability, and highlight areas of disparity. Discusses vehicle access, travel times, and rural health disparities.
Author(s): Shadi Maleki, Nathaniel Dede-Bamfo, Elizabeth Ekren, Milad Mohammadalizadehkorde, Melinda Villagran
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(2), 140
Date: 01/2024
Type: Document
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Understanding the Social Determinants (Drivers) of Rural Suicide: A Focus on North Texas
Webinar discussing social determinants of health (SDOH) as a driver for suicide. Includes both national and Texas-specific statistics. Discusses unique factors for rural populations and rural subgroups at the highest risk. Offers resources and strategies for addressing rural SDOH disparities for suicide prevention. Captions available in the video player.
Date: 01/2024
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: University of Texas at Arlington Center for Rural Health and Nursing
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Michigan's Roadmap to Healthy Communities Phase III: The Innovation Phase 2022-2024
Expands on Phase I and Phase II of a plan to address the social determinants of health (SDOH) to advance equity, provide social and economic opportunities, and improve health outcomes in Michigan. Focuses on the launch of SDOH collaborative hubs, policymaking, and reducing health disparities.
Date: 01/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
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CMS Framework for Advancing Health Care in Rural, Tribal, and Geographically Isolated Communities (Webinar)
Recording of a January 2024 webinar providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Framework for Advancing Health Care in Rural, Tribal, and Geographically Isolated Communities. Discusses rural health resources, including resources on Coverage to Care, the Tribal Roadmap to Better Care, community engagement efforts, and forthcoming initiatives. Focuses on resources tailored to American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Date: 01/2024
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Mitigating Cancer Disparities Through an Innovative Navigation Program
Describes the development and implementation of a population health navigation program to reduce barriers to cancer care in underserved communities in Western North Carolina and Northwest South Carolina. Provides data on rural program participants, including barriers to cancer care access, program impact on transportation needs and food insecurity, and rates of participation in clinical cancer research. Also covers Black, Hispanic, and adolescent and young adult program participants.
Author(s): Carla Strom, Emily Copus, Karen Winkfield
Citation: North Carolina Medical Journal, 85(1), 25-29
Date: 01/2024
Type: Document
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Clinical Risk and Outpatient Therapy Utilization for COVID-19 in the Medicare Population
Evaluates COVID-19 treatment disparities among Medicare beneficiaries, with comparisons by age, race and ethnicity, Medicaid eligibility, nursing home use, telemedicine use, rural/urban status, and more. Utilizes Medicare Master Beneficiary Summary and Standard Analytic Claim files for the year 2022. Provides data on rates of COVID-19 therapy use, including medication, hospitalization, and outpatient treatment. Highlights undertreatment experienced by populations with high risk of severe infection.
Author(s): Andrew D. Wilcock, Stephen Kissler, Ateev Mehrotra
Citation: JAMA Health Forum, 5(1), e235044
Date: 01/2024
Type: Document
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Rural-Urban Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Screening, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Survivorship Care: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Systematic review of 39 studies on rural-urban colorectal cancer (CRC) disparities. Summarizes study results related to CRC screening, stage at diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship care. Discusses barriers to access, identifies trends, and evaluates study characteristics.
Author(s): Aryana Sepassi, Meng Li, Jason Zell, Alexandre Chan, Ila M Saunders, Dana B Mukamel
Citation: The Oncologist, 29(4), e431-e446
Date: 01/2024
Type: Document
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