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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities

Rural–Urban Disparities and Trends in Utilization of Palliative Care Services among US Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer
Reports on palliative care use among patients with metastatic breast cancer, utilizing 2004-2019 National Cancer Database data. Includes breakdowns by level of rurality, race, ethnicity, and other demographic and clinical characteristics. Discusses palliative care access and treatment disparities, and identifies trends.
Author(s): Jincong Q. Freeman, Adam W. Scott, Ted O. Akhiwu
Citation: Journal of Rural Health
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
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The Suicide Epidemic in Rural Minnesota: How We Got Here and How We Move Forward
Provides information on the yearly increase of suicides and deaths of despair in Minnesota, with data broken down by sex, region, and rurality. Discusses factors that impact suicide rates in rural areas, with a focus on rural and indigenous cultures, farming, stigma, firearm access, and more.
Author(s): Marnie Werner, Tracie Rutherford Self
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Center for Rural Behavioral Health, Center for Rural Policy and Development
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Geographic Variation, Economic Activity, and Labor Market Characteristics in Trajectories of Suicide in the United States, 2008–2020
Presents a study exploring the associations between economic and labor activity and rurality with changes in suicide rates from 2008-2015. Creates county-level economic categories based on economy type and metropolitan status while breaking down the data by age and firearm involvement.
Author(s): Katherine M Keyes, Sasikiran Kandula, Gonzalo Martinez-Ales, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Epidemiology, 193(2), 256–266
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
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Understanding Historically Marginalized & Minoritized Populations in the Forgotten Middle: Chart Pack & Case Studies
Chart pack and case studies from a project on current and future disparities in finances, housing, and health among middle-income older adults. Highlights barriers experienced by Black, Hispanic, and rural populations, including discussion of service availability, transportation, income, and other aspects of access to care.
Additional links: Project Overview
Author(s): Sarah Rayel, Dianne Munevar, Ryan Murphy, et al.
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: NORC at the University of Chicago
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Lessons Learned from Efforts to Support Vulnerable Critical Access and Other Rural Hospitals
Provides an overview of state and federal programs, demonstrations, and models designed to support Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and other rural hospitals. Describes challenges facing CAHs and rural hospitals, including chronic workforce shortages, high operating and staffing costs, inadequate reimbursement, operational and regulatory issues, and the diverse demographics of rural communities. Discusses lessons learned, the new for a new rural hospital model, and next steps.
Author(s): John Gale, Celia Jewell, Karen Pearson
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Equity Action Plan
Offers overview of strategies from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for increasing equity for veterans in benefits, health, access to VA services, economic security, and data. Highlights equity progress updates and accomplishments. Discusses rural throughout.
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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Real-World Trends, Rural-Urban Differences, and Socioeconomic Disparities in Utilization of Narrow Versus Broad Next-Generation Sequencing Panels
Analyzes oncology genomic panel utilization of 9,886 subjects who received testing between January 2016 and June 2020. Provides data on test panel sizes and clinical trial matching status, with breakdowns by level of socioeconomic deprivation and rural or urban status. Describes trends in genomic testing, and discusses the significance of testing access to equity in cancer care.
Author(s): Yiqing Zhao, Anastasios Dimou, Zachary C. Fogarty, et al.
Citation: Cancer Research Communications, 4(2), 303-311
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
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Men's Health in Illinois: Metro Versus Nonmetro
Explores the differences in life expectancy and related health conditions of men and women in Illinois by providing health status and demographic data that is further broken down by metro and nonmetro location. Discusses gender equality and population health needs.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
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Medicare Enrollees and the Part D Drug Benefit: Improving Financial Protection through the Low- Income Subsidy
Provides an overview of the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program, which covers some or all Part D drug costs. Presents estimates of number of Medicare Part D enrollees who received LIS in 2020 and their characteristics, as well as Medicare beneficiaries who did and did not have prescription drug coverage but who appear to be eligible for LIS based on income and resources. Compares Medicare enrollees demographic, financial, health status, and healthcare utilization characteristics, including rurality.
Author(s): Yevgeniy Feyman, Joel Ruhter, Kenneth Finegold, et al.
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Rural Cancer Disparities from Oklahoma Cancer and Vital Records Registries 2016-2020
Evaluates cancer disparities in Oklahoma counties using 2016-2020 Oklahoma State Department of Health data, with breakdowns by urban, large rural, and small rural setting. Provides statistics, including population characteristics, on cancer incidence, specific cancers, mortality, and stage of diagnosis. Highlights concerns related to insurance coverage, cancer screening, and treatment in rural areas.
Author(s): Janis E. Campbell, Ayesha B. Sambo, Lauri A. Hunsucker, Stephanie F. Pharr, Mark P. Doescher
Citation: Cancer Epidemiology, 88, 102512
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
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