This website is being reviewed for updates. Some information is offline. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Population health

Improving Access - NAM Action Collaborative on Countering the U.S. Opioid Epidemic Telehealth and Virtual Care Meeting Series
Highlights the proceedings of a meeting discussing the use of telehealth and virtual care to treat substance use disorder (SUD). Explores the effect the COVID-19 pandemic on telehealth regulation and reimbursement. Features considerations for rural communities.
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: National Academy of Medicine
view details
Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program: Black Lung Screenings
Fact sheet describing a program intended to study the causes and effects of coal mine dust lung disease and to offer early detection and prevent progression of the disease. Provides information on health screenings available at mobile testing units that travel to communities and mining sites.
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
view details
Train Derailments in Rural and Urban Pennsylvania, 2018 to 2022
Fact sheet analyzing train derailments in Pennsylvania and the U.S. from 2018 to November 30, 2022, using data from the Federal Railroad Administration's Office of Safety Analysis. Features state-level and Pennsylvania county-level maps showing locations and numbers of derailments, and statistics on types, costs, and speeds of derailments, with breakdowns by rural and urban locations.
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
view details
American Indian and Alaska Native Worker Safety and Health Strategic Plan
Highlights a strategic plan for researching occupational safety and health of American Indian and Alaska Native workers. Provides a step-by-step guide for conducting and disseminating research on the health and safety risks of AI/AN workers, as well as crafting safety policy for tribal communities.
Author(s): Elizabeth Dalsey, Robert Foley, Sarah Hatcher, et al.
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
view details
The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use
Explores the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on mental health and substance use. Tracks rates of anxiety and depression, as well as substance use, from before and after the pandemic. Breaks down data by age and rurality, among other measures.
Author(s): Nirmita Panchal, Heather Saunders, Robin Rudowitz, Cynthia Cox
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: KFF
view details
2022 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report: Chartbook on Patient Safety
Summarizes trends in healthcare quality and disparities for metro (urban) to noncore (rural) populations. Includes quality measures for patient safety, person-centered care, care coordination, effective treatment, healthy living, and affordability.
Author(s): Barbara Barton, Darryl Gray, Cecilia Hahn, et al.
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
view details
American Indian and Alaska Native Communities Face a 'Disproportionate Burden of Oral Disease' - Reversing Inequities Involves Challenges and Opportunities
White paper explores the state of American Indian and Alaska Native oral health. Discusses some of the oral health disparities faced by AI/AN communities, such as historical and cultural factors, workforce shortages, and oral health literacy, among other factors. Presents solutions and strategic recommendations to address AI/AN oral health disparities.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Mary Altenberg, Terrence Batliner, Tommie Chavis II, et al.
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organizations: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, National Indian Health Board
view details
Leveraging Telemedicine To Eliminate Outcome Disparities For Rural-Born Newborns
Presentation slides from a webinar discussing the barriers affecting care for neonatal encephalopathy in rural areas. Describes telemedicine strategies evaluating neonatal encephalopathy and methods for improving parent understanding. Identifies other applications of telemedicine appropriate for the care of newborns and children.
Additional links: Transcript
Author(s): Alexa Craig
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers
view details
Teleneurology via Tablet Technology: An Effective Low-Cost Method to Increase Healthcare Accessibility
Presents a study on the use of low-cost tablets in place of more expensive "telemedicine robots" as a means of providing teleneurology services to small rural hospitals. Evaluates a hub-and-spoke teleneurology program based at Vanderbilt University Medical Center serving smaller, community-based hospitals in Kentucky and Tennessee. Draws data from physician and patient surveys.
Author(s): Kelly Harper, Claire Hanson, Bryan Eoff, et al.
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 23(1), 7591
Date: 03/2023
view details
Elevated Colorectal Cancer Incidence among American Indian/Alaska Native Persons in Alaska Compared to Other Populations Worldwide
Presents the results of a study comparing American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) colorectal cancer (CRC) rates in Alaska for 2018 to CRC rates among tribal and racial populations in other regions of the US, and internationally. Results of this study will be used to inform healthcare organizations about policies and practices supporting CRC screening for the reduction of the disease.
Author(s): Donald Haverkamp, Diana Redwood, Elena Roik, Stephen Vindigni, Timothy Thomas
Citation: International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 82(1)
Date: 03/2023
view details