Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities
National Survey of Lung Cancer Screening Eligibility in United States Veterans
Explores a study evaluating the portion of veterans eligible and screened for lung cancer in rural and urban areas. Discusses the differences in screening and mortality rates between rural and urban areas. Breaks down data by age, family cancer history, and smoking history, among other factors.
Author(s): Jennifer A. Lewis, Allison Stranick, Jacquelyn Pennings, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 68(5), 886-895
Date: 05/2025
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Explores a study evaluating the portion of veterans eligible and screened for lung cancer in rural and urban areas. Discusses the differences in screening and mortality rates between rural and urban areas. Breaks down data by age, family cancer history, and smoking history, among other factors.
Author(s): Jennifer A. Lewis, Allison Stranick, Jacquelyn Pennings, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 68(5), 886-895
Date: 05/2025
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Identifying Risk Factors for Adverse Lung Health Outcomes among Rural Appalachian Women
Examines risk factors related to lung function in Appalachian women. Utilizes 2015-2017 patient data from 2 Kentucky counties to analyze normal, restrictive, or obstructive lung function, with further data breakdowns according to demographic/social, behavioral, and health characteristics.
Author(s): Jessica R. Thompson, Courtney J. Walker, John C. Flunker, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 05/2025
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Examines risk factors related to lung function in Appalachian women. Utilizes 2015-2017 patient data from 2 Kentucky counties to analyze normal, restrictive, or obstructive lung function, with further data breakdowns according to demographic/social, behavioral, and health characteristics.
Author(s): Jessica R. Thompson, Courtney J. Walker, John C. Flunker, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 05/2025
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Rebuilding Maternal Health Access in Western North Carolina: Addressing Critical Gaps Amplified by Hurricane Helene
Discusses the impact of Hurricane Helene on maternal health in rural North Carolina. Focuses on maternal healthcare workforce shortages, access issues in isolated areas, maternal morbidity and mortality, rural health disparities, and more. Offers suggestions to improve rural maternal health in North Carolina, including enhancing data collection, strengthening infrastructure and access, and addressing the social determinants of health.
Author(s): Jennifer Runkle, Maggie Sugg
Citation: North Carolina Medical Journal, 86(1)
Date: 04/2025
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Discusses the impact of Hurricane Helene on maternal health in rural North Carolina. Focuses on maternal healthcare workforce shortages, access issues in isolated areas, maternal morbidity and mortality, rural health disparities, and more. Offers suggestions to improve rural maternal health in North Carolina, including enhancing data collection, strengthening infrastructure and access, and addressing the social determinants of health.
Author(s): Jennifer Runkle, Maggie Sugg
Citation: North Carolina Medical Journal, 86(1)
Date: 04/2025
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Severe Maternal Morbidity in Tennessee, 2018-2022
Focuses on severe maternal morbidity (SMM) occurring during hospitalizations for childbirth in Tennessee, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. Features statistics including SMM rates by maternal residence, with breakdowns by urban, urban adjacent, and rural counties.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Tennessee Department of Health
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Focuses on severe maternal morbidity (SMM) occurring during hospitalizations for childbirth in Tennessee, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. Features statistics including SMM rates by maternal residence, with breakdowns by urban, urban adjacent, and rural counties.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Tennessee Department of Health
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Perceived Risk and HPV Vaccination Awareness Among Women in Rural and Underserved Communities in the State of Louisiana
Explores human papillomavirus (HPV) awareness and vaccination knowledge among women in rural and underserved areas of Louisiana, via a study of 141 women who participated in a mobile health unit-based study conducted between November 2022 and December 2023. Includes data on awareness of the existence of the HPV vaccine, history of being offered or receiving the HPV vaccine, willingness to be vaccinated, and the relationship between HPV knowledge and perceived HPV risk.
Author(s): Deborah Gurgel Smith, Emily M Dantes, Robbie Beyl, et al.
Citation: Journal of Community Health, 50(5), 826-832
Date: 04/2025
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Explores human papillomavirus (HPV) awareness and vaccination knowledge among women in rural and underserved areas of Louisiana, via a study of 141 women who participated in a mobile health unit-based study conducted between November 2022 and December 2023. Includes data on awareness of the existence of the HPV vaccine, history of being offered or receiving the HPV vaccine, willingness to be vaccinated, and the relationship between HPV knowledge and perceived HPV risk.
Author(s): Deborah Gurgel Smith, Emily M Dantes, Robbie Beyl, et al.
Citation: Journal of Community Health, 50(5), 826-832
Date: 04/2025
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Rural-Urban Disparities in Hospitalisation for Myocardial Infarction in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in the USA
Examines rural-urban disparities in hospitalization for myocardial infarction among people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), utilizing 2016-2019 National Inpatient Sample data. Analyzes demographic factors, including sex and geographic region, associated with increased risk of hospitalization.
Author(s): Jasvinder A. Singh, Sumanth Chandrupatla
Citation: Lupus Science & Medicine, 12, e001516
Date: 04/2025
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Examines rural-urban disparities in hospitalization for myocardial infarction among people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), utilizing 2016-2019 National Inpatient Sample data. Analyzes demographic factors, including sex and geographic region, associated with increased risk of hospitalization.
Author(s): Jasvinder A. Singh, Sumanth Chandrupatla
Citation: Lupus Science & Medicine, 12, e001516
Date: 04/2025
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Rural Hospital Closures and Nursing Home Outcomes
Details a study exploring the effect of rural hospital closures on rural nursing home outcomes in the corresponding county. Discusses care utilization and resident health and compares effects of hospital-based and non-hospital-based long-term care facilities.
Author(s): Emmaline Keesee, Tyler Malone, Susie Gurzenda, George Pink
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2), e70026
Date: 04/2025
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Details a study exploring the effect of rural hospital closures on rural nursing home outcomes in the corresponding county. Discusses care utilization and resident health and compares effects of hospital-based and non-hospital-based long-term care facilities.
Author(s): Emmaline Keesee, Tyler Malone, Susie Gurzenda, George Pink
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2), e70026
Date: 04/2025
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The Rural and Urban Supply of Clinicians With a DEA Waiver to Prescribe Buprenorphine in 2022 Prior to the Elimination of the Waiver Requirement
Report explores the differences in rates of clinicians with DEA waivers to prescribe buprenorphine in 2022 in rural versus urban counties. Highlights the rural gaps in access to buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder prior to the elimination of the DEA waiver requirement in 2023. Provides rural, urban, and regional comparisons.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Report explores the differences in rates of clinicians with DEA waivers to prescribe buprenorphine in 2022 in rural versus urban counties. Highlights the rural gaps in access to buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder prior to the elimination of the DEA waiver requirement in 2023. Provides rural, urban, and regional comparisons.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Maternal Mortality in Indiana: Contributing Factors and Policy Recommendations
Discusses causes of maternal mortality and related data in Indiana and the U.S. at large. Includes information on disparities with a focus on rural areas, demographics, and access to maternal health services. Provides county-level map of Indiana showing full, moderate, low, or no access to maternity care. Explores potential solutions to maternal mortality, such as co-location of maternal and behavioral healthcare, substance use disorder (SUD) support, mental health support, and more.
Author(s): Tierra Brooks, Lee Ruess, Kristi Schultz, Elizabeth Thuranira
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Indiana University Public Policy Institute
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Discusses causes of maternal mortality and related data in Indiana and the U.S. at large. Includes information on disparities with a focus on rural areas, demographics, and access to maternal health services. Provides county-level map of Indiana showing full, moderate, low, or no access to maternity care. Explores potential solutions to maternal mortality, such as co-location of maternal and behavioral healthcare, substance use disorder (SUD) support, mental health support, and more.
Author(s): Tierra Brooks, Lee Ruess, Kristi Schultz, Elizabeth Thuranira
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Indiana University Public Policy Institute
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Use of Medicaid Personal Care Services in 2019 and 2020
Explores the change in the utilization of personal care services (PCS) among Medicaid beneficiaries from 2019 to 2020. Compares the number and characteristics of Medicaid enrollees with comprehensive benefits who received personal care services (PCS) between a pre-COVID-19 pandemic period (March and December of 2019) and a COVID-19 pandemic period (March through December of 2020). Presents data by patient demographic and clinical characteristics.
Author(s): Melissa Sanchez, Zosha Kandel, Andrea Wysocki, et al.
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Explores the change in the utilization of personal care services (PCS) among Medicaid beneficiaries from 2019 to 2020. Compares the number and characteristics of Medicaid enrollees with comprehensive benefits who received personal care services (PCS) between a pre-COVID-19 pandemic period (March and December of 2019) and a COVID-19 pandemic period (March through December of 2020). Presents data by patient demographic and clinical characteristics.
Author(s): Melissa Sanchez, Zosha Kandel, Andrea Wysocki, et al.
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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