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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities

Rural Health Disparities, Population Health, and Rural Culture
Commentary discussing the rural health disparities documented in Health United States, 2001, Urban and Rural Health Chartbook. Recommends branching out from the traditional focus of rural health policy and research on access to healthcare services toward initiatives that are based on models of population health. Identifies the risky health behaviors among rural populations that suggest a "rural culture" health determinant. Suggests that there may be environmental and cultural factors unique to towns or regions that affect health behavior and health.
Author(s): David Hartley
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 94(10), 1675-1678
Date: 2004
Type: Document
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Health Disparities Experienced by American Indians and Alaska Natives
Thematic issue focused on American Indian/Alaska Native health disparities related to diabetes, cancer, bronchiolitis, injury mortality, and vaccination rates.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 52(30)
Date: 08/2003
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Unspoken Crimes: Sexual Assault in Rural America
A report focused on sexual assault from a rural perspective. Includes barriers to reporting and services, data and statistics, challenges for rural advocates and law enforcement officials, and examples of programs that have been successful in rural communities.
Author(s): Susan H. Lewis
Date: 2003
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Sexual Violence Resource Center
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One Department Serving Rural America
Reports findings from a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) task force focused on improving healthcare and human services in rural communities. Describes health and social services challenges facing rural America, barriers to serving rural areas, and HHS-wide goals and strategies to address these concerns.
Author(s): HHS Rural Task Force
Date: 07/2002
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Minorities in Rural America
Describes the rural minority population, with demographic data and information on the economic structure and health resources available in rural minority communities. Includes separate chapters focused on rural African American, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian and Pacific Islander populations.
Author(s): Janice C. Probst, Michael E. Samuels, Kristen P. Jespersen, et al.
Date: 2002
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural and Minority Health Research Center (formerly the South Carolina Rural Health Research Center)
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Development of a Research Agenda on the Issues of Access to Care and Reduction of Health Status Disparities of Rural African Americans in South Carolina
Explores disparities in health among rural African American and rural White South Carolina residents, based on data from a range of studies conducted in the 1990s.
Author(s): Michael E. Samuels, Janice C. Probst, Karen Willert, et al.
Date: 01/2001
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural and Minority Health Research Center (formerly the South Carolina Rural Health Research Center)
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Mental Health: Culture, Race, and Ethnicity — A Supplement to Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General
Provides comprehensive coverage of issues relevant to the mental health of different racial and ethnic groups. Includes some information specific to rural areas.
Date: 2001
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Race and Place: Urban-Rural Differences in Health for Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Investigates urban-rural disparities for racial and ethnic minorities in six health areas: infant mortality, cancer screening and management, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, HIV infection, and child and adult immunizations. Provides data for the years 1991-1995.
Author(s): Rebecca T. Slifkin, Laurie J. Goldsmith, Thomas C. Ricketts,
Date: 03/2000
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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If You Knew the Conditions: Health Care to Native Americans
Summarizes the history of administration of healthcare to Native American recipients by the United States government. Includes biographies of famous Native American physicians. Online version of a 1994 exhibit on Native American Health.
Date: 1994
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. National Library of Medicine
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COPD Risk Factors and Rurality
Analyzes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) rate data by obesity, smoking, uninsured status, premature mortality, and race and ethnicity. Includes interactive data visualizations comparing metro and nonmetro differences at the county level. Offers a video tutorial for interacting with the data.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
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