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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Infrastructure

"Sympathy" vs. "Empathy": Comparing Experiences of I2Audits and Disability Simulations
Presents results of a qualitative study which interviewed 12 participants in rural disability simulations or inclusive, interdisciplinary community planning workshops (I2Audits) designed to identify environmental barriers for people with disabilities. Compares responses to disability simulation and I2Audits, and identifies interview themes including stigma, embarrassment, empowerment, and engagement. Discusses access, awareness, and community participation in rural areas.
Author(s): Emily C. Hicks, Meg A. Traci, Karin Korb
Citation: Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 3, 876099
Date: 09/2022
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Health Impacts of Water and Sanitation Insecurity in the Global North: A Scoping Literature Review for U.S. Colonias on the Mexico Border
Scoping review examining the literature on the physical and mental health issues associated with water and sanitation insecurity in colonias on the U.S.-Mexico border region. Literature includes published peer-reviewed articles between 1995 and 2020 written in English. 16 articles are examined and the overall themes and gaps of the literature are discussed.
Author(s): Madeleine Zheng, Amber Wutich, Alexandra Brewis, Stavros Kavouras
Citation: Journal of Water & Health 20(9), 1329-1342
Date: 09/2022
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Helping Western Tribal Communities Understand the Impacts of and Adaptation Options for Climate Change
Analyzes the impact of the Native Waters on Arid Lands project to educate tribal areas in the Great Basin and southwestern U.S. about climate change and its impacts on drought, precipitation, and groundwater. Discusses the need to build resiliency and infrastructure for ecological health and to protect tribal agriculture and water systems from climate change issues.
Author(s): Margaret Lawrence
Date: 09/2022
Sponsoring organization: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
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Evaluation of a Civic Engagement Approach to Catalyze Built Environment Change and Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity among Rural Residents: A Cluster (Community) Randomized Controlled Trial
Provides an overview of a study that will analyze the Change Club (CC) intervention that focuses on built environment and health behaviors in rural communities. The CC intervention utilizes the civic engagement interventions for built environment change (CEBEC) approach to promote nutrition and physical activity. Discusses research plan for recruiting participants, conducting interventions, assessing and evaluating the program, and disseminating data and results.
Author(s): Rebecca A. Seguin-Fowler, Karla L. Hanson, Deyaun Villarreal, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 22, 1674
Date: 09/2022
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QuickStats: Percentage of Children and Adolescents Aged 6–17 Years Who Have Roads, Sidewalks, Paths, or Trails Where They Can Walk or Ride a Bicycle, by Urban-Rural Status and Family Income — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2020
Bar chart showing children's access to locations where they can walk or ride a bicycle. Provides data for rural and urban neighborhoods for families with incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level and for families with incomes at or above 200% of the federal poverty level.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 71(35), 1136
Date: 09/2022
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Appalachian Regional Commission Service Area Map (37 Counties)
Georgia map showing counties included in the Appalachian Regional Commission service area.
Date: 08/2022
Sponsoring organization: Georgia State Office of Rural Health
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Exploring Environmental Measures in Disability: Using Google Earth and Street View to Conduct Remote Assessments of Access and Participation in Urban and Rural Communities
Presents two studies which use digital maps and street-level imagery to investigate physical accessibility in rural and urban communities. Analyzes pathway usability, building access, and community participation of people using personal mobility devices, with comparisons by community population size. Discusses procedures, applications, and limitations of the use of digital street-level imagery for accessibility research.
Author(s): Tom Seekins, Meg A. Traci, Emily C. Hicks
Citation: Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 3, 879193
Date: 08/2022
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Indiana Governor's Public Health Commission Report 2022
Provides an overview of public health in Indiana with a focus on healthy environments and health education. Examines the declining life expectancy and challenges to public health such as behavioral health issues, adult and child obesity, infectious diseases, and geographic and socio-economic health disparities. Summarizes and provides recommendations from the commission's findings related to governance and infrastructure, funding, healthcare workforce, data integration, emergency preparedness, and child/adolescent health.
Additional links: Appendices, News Brief
Date: 08/2022
Sponsoring organization: Indiana Department of Health
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ARPA Impact Report: An Analysis of How Counties are Addressing National Issues with Local Investments
Describes how counties are investing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to strengthen the workforce, address behavioral health needs, reinforce public health preparedness, improve housing access, ensure access to clean water, and build prosperous communities. Includes examples from rural counties throughout.
Date: 07/2022
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Counties
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Inequities in Physical Activity Environments and Leisure-Time Physical Activity in Rural Communities
Examines access to physical activity (PA) environments in 3 rural counties in Georgia. Analyzes 2019 survey data from 728 participants in relation to leisure-time PA, walking and biking for transport, and perceived PA environments with data broken down by race, household income, and neighborhood rurality.
Author(s): Michelle C. Kegler, Nicole Gauthreaux, April Hermstad, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 19
Date: 07/2022
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