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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities

Assessment of Dietary Patterns, Physical Activity and Obesity from a National Survey: Rural-Urban Health Disparities in Older Adults
Examines the association between rural-urban status, physical activity, consumption of fruits and vegetables, and obesity prevalence in older adults by analyzing data derived from respondents aged 65 and above from the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
Author(s): Steven A. Cohen, Mary L. Greaney, Natalie J. Sabik
Citation: PLoS One, 13(12)
Date: 2018
Type: Document
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Understanding Disparities in Access to Genomic Medicine: Proceedings of a Workshop
Reports on a workshop regarding healthcare disparities in precision health and genetics-based services, which can be used to customize patient treatment, diagnoses, and disease prevention strategies. Includes a section focused on challenges for rural communities starting on page 19.
Author(s): Board on Health Sciences Policy, Roundtable on Genomics and Precision Health
Date: 2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Improving Native American Elder Access to and Use of Health Care Through Effective Health System Navigation
Examines the experiences of American Indian elders (AIEs) in New Mexico related to healthcare and seeking help. Aims to develop evaluation tools and interventions to expand the knowledge of, access to, and use of insurance, in addition to supporting other available health services to reduce health disparities.
Author(s): Cathleen E. Willging, David H. Sommerfeld, Elise Trott Jaramillo, Erik Lujan, Roxane Spruce Bly, et al.
Citation: BMC Health Services Research, 18, 464
Date: 2018
Type: Document
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Patient-Centered Medical Home Implementation in Indian Health Service Direct Service Facilities
Report explores implementation strategies for patient-centered medical homes (PCMH) via Indian Health Service (IHS) clinics in tribal communities. Details obstacles to implementation and steps to overcoming them, such as staff retraining, team-based care, and using health information technology, among others.
Author(s): Justin W. Timbie, Ammarah Mahmud, Christine Buttorff, Erika Meza
Date: 2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
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Health Equity Report 2017
Reports on trends in health equity and health disparities in the U.S. Provides statistics and information on multiple program areas, including: maternal and child health, primary care, access, quality, HIV/AIDS, mental and behavioral health, chronic disease, health promotion, health workforce, rural versus urban, and geographic disparities. Addresses disparity patterns for 3 priority areas: mental health, opioid use, and childhood obesity.
Author(s): Gopal K. Singh, Andrew "Drew" De Los Reyes, Michelle Allender, et al.
Date: 2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Health Resources and Services Administration
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The Differential Effects of Rural Health Care Access on Race-Specific Mortality
Investigates the association between race-specific rural mortality and the health infrastructure of rural counties using data from the National Center for Health Statistics Compressed Mortality File (2008-2012); county-level demographic, socioeconomic, and healthcare indicators from Health Resources and Services Administration's Area Health Resource File; and the U.S. Census. Covers the rural public health infrastructure index that indicates the presence or absence of 4 types of healthcare measures: public health employees, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) or rural referral centers, Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), and emergency departments within counties.
Author(s): Jeralynn Cossman, Wesley James, Julia Kay Wolf
Citation: SSM Population Health, 3, 618-623
Date: 12/2017
Type: Document
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Examining Substance Use Disorder Treatment Demand and Provider Capacity in a Changing Health Care System: Final Report
Assesses demand and capacity for substance use disorder treatment, with comparisons between years 2013 and 2016. Features statistics including numbers of clients, staff hours, percentage of facilities offering pharmacotherapies and accepting various insurance types, and distribution of specialty treatments, with breakdowns by urban and rural locations.
Additional links: In Focus Brief, May 2018
Author(s): Ellen Bouchery
Date: 12/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Addressing Health Inequities in New Mexico: The Role of the New Mexico Public Health Institute
Examines contributors to rural/urban and racial health disparities in New Mexico and identifies priorities for addressing them. Discusses demographics, socioeconomic factors, infrastructure, health disparities, and the physical environment. Reports on current population health efforts and identifies gaps.
Author(s): Renee T. Despres
Date: 12/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Innovation
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Philanthropy as the South's Passing Gear: Fulfilling the Promise
Report providing an overview of Southern economic development and population health since the 1960s, describing the state of philanthropy in the South, profiling philanthropic foundations and programs, and presenting reflections by experienced grantmakers. Covers racial and ethnic equity, health access and outcomes, and the needs of rural communities throughout.
Date: 11/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: MDC, Southeastern Council of Foundations (SECF)
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Worsening Rural-Urban Gap in Hospital Mortality
Results of a study of nonmaternal, nonneonatal hospitalizations in 2008 and 2013, showing the association between rural or urban residence and hospital mortality. Features statistics on hospital mortality by condition in 2013 and hospital deaths among rural patients by year and payer status.
Author(s): Nicole Villapiano, Theodore J. Iwashyna, Matthew M. Davis
Citation: Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 30(6), 816-823
Date: 11/2017
Type: Document
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