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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Population health

Impact of COVID-19 on Clinical Trials Costs to Patients
Examines the direct and indirect costs of COVID-19 clinical trial participation to patients and the impact of utilizing remote technologies. Presents an environmental scan of articles published between 2010 and 2023 and discusses barriers to clinical trial participation experienced by underrepresented and rural populations.
Author(s): Keri Calkins, Emily Crabtree, Emily Harrison, Nyna Williams, Kirsten Barrett
Date: 06/2025
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Mathematica
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Connecting Unstably Housed Veterans Living in Rural Areas to Health Care: Perspectives From Health Care Navigators
Highlights a study of VA healthcare navigators (HCNs) effectiveness in helping rural veterans experiencing housing instability access healthcare services. Explores interpersonal, intrapersonal, and community-level barriers and facilitators to HCN services.
Author(s): Kalea Jones, Meagan Cusack, Gala True, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 59(S2), e14316
Date: 12/2024
Type: Document
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Differential Effects of a Social Work Staffing Intervention on Social Work Access Among Rural and Highly Rural Veterans: A Cohort Study
Presents a study on the efficacy of a VA program to expand access of social work services to rural veterans. Draws data from VA sites that participated in the program from October 2016 to September 2021. Compares social worker utilization by rural and urban veterans and breaks down data by age, race, and reason for visit, among other factors.
Author(s): Andrew N. Honken, Christopher W. Halladay, Lisa E. Wootton, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 59(S2), e14327
Date: 12/2024
Type: Document
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Culturally-Safe Maternal Care for Indigenous Women
Podcast episode discussing the role that culturally safe care can play in addressing maternal healthcare needs among Indigenous women. Describes the importance of awareness of cultural and spiritual practices in creating a safe cultural environment for Indigenous women.
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Access to Maternity Care: Challenges and Solutions For Improving Equity Across US Communities
Examines access issues related to maternity care in the U.S., with a focus on disparities seen in racial minorities and rural areas. Discusses impacts of obstetric facility closures and the importance of policy and funding to support maternal health equity.
Author(s): Katy B. Kozhimannila, Julia D. Interrantea, Alecia J. McGregor
Citation: Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
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Advancing Health Equity in Rural, Tribal, and Geographically Isolated Communities: FY2024 Year in Review
Summarizes Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) activities in fiscal year 2024 to advance health equity for people living in rural, tribal, and geographically isolated communities. Covers six priority focus areas: applying a community-informed geographic lens; increasing the collection and use of standardized data; strengthening and supporting healthcare professionals; optimizing medical and communication technology; expanding access to comprehensive healthcare coverage, benefits, and services and supports; and driving innovation and value-based care.
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Nirsevimab Effectiveness Against Medically Attended Respiratory Syncytial Virus Illness and Hospitalization Among Alaska Native Children — Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Region, Alaska, October 2023–June 2024
Reports on effectiveness of nirsevimab in preventing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) associated hospitalization for Alaska Native infants in their first RSV season and against medically attended illness for children in their first and second seasons in Alaska's Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Includes data by community type for the hub town with regional hospital and outlying villages.
Author(s): Brian Lefferts, Sara Bressler, James W. Keck, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 73(45), 1015-1021
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Future Directions for Rural Population Research: Findings from RPRN's Listening Sessions
Summarizes 5 listening sessions with rural development practitioners aiming to identify areas of research need by rural population researchers. Discusses trends in agriculture and food systems, community and economic development, the environment and natural resources, and health, healthcare, and disability services. Offers recommendations related to information sharing, community involvement in research, data gathering, and best practices and evaluation.
Author(s): Kristina Brant, Paige, Kelly, Danielle Rhubart, et al.
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
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"The Source of All My Joy and All My Stress": Children and Childcare as Underappreciated Sources of Stress That Affect Farm Women
Identifies themes from focus groups and photovoice with 101 farm women showing the intersections of mental well-being, children and farm safety, farm work, and household responsibilities. Discusses the triple burden of farm women and how gender-based expectations of care work on a farm.
Author(s): Florence Becot, Shoshanah Inwood, Hannah Budge
Citation: Journal of Agromedicine, 2024
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
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I-CASH Annual Report 2024
Iowa's Center for Agricultural Safety and Health's (I-CASH) annual report on statewide prevention and education programs addressing agricultural safety and health from 2023-2024. Highlights the organization's connection and engagement projects, describes recent efforts to provide agricultural solutions, and includes a list of seasonal campaigns and accomplishments.
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Iowa's Center for Agricultural Safety and Health
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