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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities

What's Killing Our Children? Child and Infant Mortality among American Indians and Alaska Natives
Examines social, behavioral, and environmental factors to determine the root causes behind significant disparities in infant and childhood mortality among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations. Addresses domestic violence, nutrition, tobacco and alcohol use, environmental degradation, unintentional injuries, and more. Provides policy recommendations to tribal and public health agencies.
Author(s): Teshia G. Arambula Solomon, Felina M. Cordova, Francisco Garcia
Date: 03/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Academy of Medicine
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Disparities in Supports for Student Wellness Promotion Efforts among Secondary Schools in Minnesota
Examines student wellness promotion in rural, urban, and suburban secondary schools in Minnesota using National Center for Education Statistics Common Core and 2012 Minnesota School Health Profiles survey data on 309 schools. Discusses school characteristics, prevalence of dietary and weight management issues among secondary students, and disparities between rural and urban populations.
Author(s): Nicole Larson, Michael O'Connell, Cynthia S. Davey, et al.
Citation: Journal of School Health, 87(2), 90-97
Date: 02/2017
Type: Document
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Advancing System and Policy Changes for Social and Racial Justice: Comparing a Rural and Urban Community-based Participatory Research Partnership in the U.S.
Examines two community-based participatory research (CBPR) partnerships, one serving African Americans in rural Missouri and the other African American and Latinos in the urban South Bronx. The CBPR partnerships focused on health inequities related to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Discusses the historical context of racial and social injustice, social justice partnership strategies, and the role of CBPR.
Author(s): Carlos Devia, Elizabeth A. Baker, Shannon Sanchez-Youngman, et al.
Citation: International Journal for Equity in Health, 16(1), 17
Date: 02/2017
Type: Document
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Disparities in Access to Trauma Care in the United States: A Population-Based Analysis
Describes the geographic, demographic, and socioeconomic disparities in access to trauma care in the U.S., including a rural and urban analysis of disparities. Covers data detailing demographic characteristics stratified by trauma center access by income, poverty, insurance status, education, race/ethnicity, rurality, and more.
Author(s): Brendan Carr, Ariel Bowman, Catherine Wolff, et al.
Citation: Injury, 48(2), 332-338
Date: 02/2017
Type: Document
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Hunger in Older Adults: Challenges and Opportunities for the Aging Services Network
Report details the state of food security in older adults throughout the nation. Examines some of the negative health outcomes caused or worsened by malnutrition at an older age. Discusses some of the barriers that inhibit many elderly people from accessing food, such as immobility, lack of transportation, and poverty, among others.
Date: 02/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Meals on Wheels America
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New CDC Series Looks at Rural Health Topics
Highlights a 2017 special series in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) that focuses on rural health issues, including mortality, health-related behaviors, chronic diseases, and more.
Author(s): Beth Blevins
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 02/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Engaging Tribal Nations of North Dakota in Conducting Community Health Assessments
Outlines the purpose and process of conducting a community health assessment (CHA) for Native American communities. Covers tribal public health policy and governance, community engagement in CHAs, steps for planning a CHA, working with data, and preparing a tribal community health improvement plan.
Date: 01/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: American Indian Public Health Resource Center, North Dakota Department of Health
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Understanding Treatment Gaps for Mental Health, Alcohol, and Drug Use in South Dakota: A Qualitative Study of Rural Perspectives
Details a study on gaps in access to behavioral health treatment in rural South Dakota. Discusses data collected from interviews with people in rural and tribal areas of the state with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
Author(s): Lauren Broffman, Margaret Spurlock, Kristen Dulacki, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 22(1), 71-81
Date: 01/2017
Type: Document
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Health Inequities by Sexual Orientation among New Mexican Adults, 2011-2014
Examines health outcomes and behaviors by sexual orientation for adults in New Mexico. Covers demographics, access to healthcare, chronic health conditions, behavioral risk factors including binge drinking and smoking, protective factors such as HIV and cervical cancer screening, and quality of life differences such as mental health. Includes rural/urban breakdowns for demographics and addresses disparities by race/ethnicity, including American Indian/Alaska Native lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults.
Date: 01/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: New Mexico Department of Health
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Social Determinants of Health
Policy brief informed by a September 2016 National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services meeting held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with site visits to update the committee about factors that affect health outcomes. Identifies emerging payment models and financing strategies, and provides policy recommendations for addressing the social determinants of health in rural communities.
Date: 01/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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