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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Population health

Connected and Strong: Strategies for Accessible and Effective Crisis and Mental Health Services
Presents ten reports addressing different issues affecting behavioral healthcare access across the U.S. and highlights strategies for addressing and overcoming access issues. Reports tackle different issues in behavioral health access, such as peer support, outpatient services, intersectionality and community partnerships, and crisis services, among others.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 09/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Intakes of Lean Proteins and Processed Meats and Differences in Mental Health between Rural and Metro Adults 50 Years and Older
Presents a study on the relationship between diet and mental health status of adults over 50 in rural and urban counties in North Dakota. Focuses specifically on lean versus processed protein intake and their correlation with reported rates of depression and anxiety. Breaks down data by demographic characteristics, including rural and urban location, and discusses food access issues in rural communities.
Author(s): Nathaniel R. Johnson, Sherri N. Stastny, Julie Garden-Robinson
Citation: Nutrients, 16(18), 3056
Date: 09/2024
Type: Document
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The Health and Well-Being of Women in Farming: A Systematic Scoping Review
A scoping review of 93 studies published between 1990 and 2023 from the Global North (including 73 studies from the United States) investigating the health and well-being of women in farming. Summarizes key findings including the relationship between health and chemical exposures, physical health, safety, mental health, equality, gender-based violence, childcare, and help-seeking behaviors. Discusses the disparity in research for women farmers compared with male farmers.
Author(s): Rebecca Wheeler, Caroline Nye
Citation: Journal of Agromedicine, 2024
Date: 09/2024
Type: Document
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Investigating FIT Kit Completion for CRC Screening in Younger Adults in Rural Areas
Investigates demographic factors for 1,230 rural Nebraskans that influence the return of a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) kit, a colorectal cancer screening tool that may be an inexpensive and convenient option for those with limited access to colonoscopies. Compares the study findings with national trends and discusses reasons and remedies for delays in return time for the kit.
Author(s): Cheryl L. Beseler, Jungyoon Kim, Melissa Leypoldt, et al.
Citation: Discover Social Science and Health, 4(41)
Date: 09/2024
Type: Document
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New Mexico Department of Health: FY25-27 Strategic Plan
Reports on the New Mexico Department of Health's plan to improve health in the state for fiscal years 2025-2027. Discusses partnerships with tribal partners, including Tribal Health Councils, and identifies underserved population groups.
Date: 09/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: New Mexico Department of Health, Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB)
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Rural-Urban Disparities in Hospital Services and Outcomes for Children With Medical Complexity
Examines differences in availability of hospital pediatric services for rural and urban children with medical complexity requiring hospitalization, and analyzes whether hospitals' availability of pediatric services influences rural-urban health outcome disparities. Utilizes 2012-2017 claims data of 36,943 children with medical complexity. Includes data on hospitalization patterns, service availability, quality measures, and mortality.
Author(s): JoAnna K. Leyenaar, Seneca D. Freyleue, Mary Arakelyan, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 7(9), e2435187
Date: 09/2024
Type: Document
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North Carolina Health Disparities Analysis Report, 2024
Reports on health disparities in North Carolina, identifies priority populations, and provides strategies to improve health equity. Discusses rural needs and provides rural-urban data comparisons on select topics including social drivers of health, access to care, health workforce, chronic and infectious disease, mental health, substance use, suicide, violence, and injury.
Date: 09/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
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Inequities in Adequacy of Prenatal Care and Shifts in Rural/Urban Differences Early in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Compares prenatal care adequacy before and during the early COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing 2016-2020 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data. Breaks down data by sociodemographic characteristics, including rural versus urban status, with further data on the influence of barriers to virtual care on rural-urban care disparities.
Author(s): Mounika Polavarapu, Shipra Singh, Camelia Arsene, Rachel Stanton
Citation: Women's Health Issues
Date: 09/2024
Type: Document
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Rural Development: Actions Needed to Improve Assistance to Southwest Border Communities Known as Colonias
Provides an overview of colonias, predominately rural, Hispanic communities near the U.S.-Mexico border. Examines conditions in colonias and the challenges they face in obtaining and using federal assistance. Presents results of an analysis of American Community Survey data, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program documentation and funding data for fiscal years 2020–2023, and interviews with stakeholders. Offers recommendations for Congress and the USDA to preserve eligibility to funding set aside for colonias and identify applications for Single Family Housing assistance for projects in colonias.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 09/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Notes from the Field: Support for Wastewater Monitoring and Influence on Protective Behavioral Intentions Among Adults — United States, July 2024
Reports findings from a survey on public support for wastewater monitoring to identify infectious diseases and intentions for related protective health behaviors. Includes data by community type for rural, suburban, and urban areas.
Author(s): Rieza H. Soelaeman, Danielle Kleven, Jena Losch, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 73(37), 825-827
Date: 09/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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