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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Infrastructure

2018 National Survey of Health Attitudes: Description and Top-Line Summary Data
Results of a survey designed to provide insight into how people in the U.S. think about, value, and prioritize health and issues of health equity. Appendix A shows survey results comparing populations by city size, with breakdowns by rural areas, small towns, midsized cities, and large cities, and Appendix B features statistics comparing urban and rural areas.
Additional links: Appendix A: Survey Results Comparing Populations by City Size, Appendix B: Survey Results Comparing Urban and Rural Populations
Author(s): Katherine Grace Carman, Anita Chandra, Sarah Weilant, Carolyn Miller, Margaret Tait
Date: 2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: RAND Corporation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
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The State of Rural Health in Illinois: Great Challenges and a Path Forward
Provides information and statistics regarding rural health issues in Illinois, including healthcare shortages, opioid mortality rates, childhood abuse and dysfunction, obesity rates, housing, and more. Discusses relevant strategies to address these issues.
Date: 10/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
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Examining the Association Between Intervention-Related Changes in Diet, Physical Activity, and Weight as Moderated by the Food and Physical Activity Environments among Rural, Southern Adults
Study examining changes in weight, diet, and physical activity in rural adults who took part in a lifestyle intervention in rural Lenoir County, North Carolina. Reports data on self-reported and objectively-measured changes over 6 months, covering access to different kinds of food retailers, gyms, and parks, as well as community walkability, crime, and barriers to physical activity.
Author(s): Stephanie B. Jilcott Pitts, Thomas C. Keyserling, Larry F. Johnston, et al.
Citation: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 117(10), 1618-1627
Date: 10/2018
Type: Document
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Broadband: Opportunities and Challenges in Rural America
Presents a U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on broadband access in rural communities. Features testimony from representatives of Mescalero Apache Telecom, Golden West Telecommunications, Cheyenne River Sioux Telephone Authority, and U.S. Cellular Corp.
Date: 10/2018
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
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One Year after the Storms: Recovery and Health Care in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
Issue brief describing status of the recovery in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, following the September 2017 hurricanes. Draws on public reports and interviews conducted in July and September 2018 and earlier work focusing on the territories' status 6 months after the storms.
Author(s): Cornelia Hall, Robin Rudowitz, Samantha Artiga, Barbara Lyons
Date: 09/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Health Equity Challenges in Rural America
Discusses multiple factors contributing to health inequities in rural communities including poorer healthcare access, lack of health insurance, hospital closures, workforce shortages, limited availability of services, and longer distances to specialized healthcare. Offers recommendations for rural community leaders and policy makers to improve economic and socioeconomic conditions, including rural health infrastructure investment.
Author(s): Erika Ziller, Andrew Coburn
Citation: Human Rights Magazine, 43(3)
Date: 08/2018
Type: Document
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Youth and Adult Visitation and Physical Activity Intensity at Rural and Urban Parks
Study of physical activity and park use at 15 rural and 15 urban parks in eastern North Dakota. Data taken from systematic observations of park activity. Compares park attributes, visitor demographics and activity, park programming, and walkability between urban and rural parks.
Author(s): James N. Roemmich, LuAnn Johnson, Grace Oberg, Joley E. Beeler, Kelsey E. Ufholz
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(8), 1760
Date: 08/2018
Type: Document
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Much More Than Money — The Impact of Small Rural Foundations
Blog post describing 5 ways in which small foundations in rural areas leverage non-financial assets to improve their communities.
Author(s): Allen Smart
Date: 07/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Exponent Philanthropy
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Investing in Rural America: Bringing Progress and Economic Opportunity to Rural Communities
Provides an overview of the state of the rural economy, as well as policy proposals to revitalize rural communities. Chapter 4 covers rural infrastructure, including broadband, and chapter 7 discusses access to affordable healthcare in rural areas.
Date: 06/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee Democrats
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Addressing Health and Health Care Needs in the United States-Mexico Border Region
Policy position brief describing geography and demographics of the border region, population health and healthcare issues, factors contributing to the health crisis, public policy implications, and suggestions for addressing needs. Comprises Executive Summary and Full Report.
Author(s): Brian Lady, Carrie Henning-Smith, Susan Kunz
Date: 05/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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