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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Population health

Rural-Specific Identity and Associations with Lifestyle Behaviors and Well-Being Among Rural Cancer Survivors
Examines how issues such as rural identity, attitudes toward rurality, and health beliefs impact rural cancer survivors' well-being. Utilizes survey data from 188 cancer survivors to discuss the relationship between sociocultural factors and quality of life, cancer fatalism, cancer information overload, rural identity and perceptions, and more.
Author(s): Kristina L. Tatum, Bonny B. Morris, Trevin E. Glasgow, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
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IEUBK Modeling of Children's Blood Lead Levels in Homes Served by Private Domestic Wells in Three Illinois Counties
Examines the potential for elevated blood lead levels (BLL) due to consuming water from private wells in rural areas by utilizing Integrated Exposure Uptake Biokinetic (IEUBK) modeling. Analyzes the water lead levels (WLLs) in 151 homes located in Illinois and discusses water safety for rural children.
Author(s): Sarah Keeley, Samuel Dorevitch, Walton Kelly, David E. Jacobs, Sarah D. Geiger
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(3), 337
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
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2024-2030 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan: Draft for Public Comment
Draft of the 2024-2030 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan, which will serve as a guide for federal health information technology (HIT) activities. Outlines four goals and related objectives focused on improving access to electronic health information (EHI); delivering a better, more equitable healthcare experience; and modernizing the public health infrastructure. Describes how the federal government will use the plan to prioritize resources within federal agencies, align and coordinate federal HIT initiatives, signal priorities to the private sector, and benchmark and assess the progress of federal HIT initiatives.
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
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Maternal and Infant Health: HHS Should Strengthen Processes for Measuring Program Performance
Provides an overview of the Healthy Start program, which aims to reduce rates of infant death, improve maternal health outcomes, and reduce racial and ethnic disparities. Describes Healthy Start grantees and participants served during the April 2019-March 2024 grant period, as well as services that grantees are expected to provide and changes to these expectations for the 2024-2029 grant period. Explores the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services's (HHS) efforts to measure program performance, the extent to which Healthy Start performance measures meet key attributes of effective measures, and HHS' efforts to align Healthy Start performance measures with those of related HHS programs. Includes information on Healthy Start programs and participants by organization type, race, and rurality. Offers recommendations regarding reviewing and coordinating Healthy Start performance measures across Healthy Start and related programs.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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North Central Regional Center for Rural Development 2023 Annual Report
Describes the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development's (NCRCRD) projects and resources in 2023. Covers funding initiatives, grants, collaborations, research, resilient economies, health and wellness, civic engagement, and more.
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
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How the 10 Essential Public Health Services Align with the AFPHS 6Cs Framework for Supporting Healthy Aging
Examines the Framework for Creating Age Friendly Public Health Systems (AFPHS) and the 10 Essential Public Health Services (EPHS) that promote well-being for older adults. Includes rural-specific commentary and examples from rural areas.
Author(s): Megan Wolfe
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Trust for America's Health
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Bridging the Rural-Urban Divide: An Implementation Plan for Leveraging Technology and Artificial Intelligence to Improve Health and Economic Outcomes in Rural America
Commentary providing an overview of rural health disparities and the healthcare needs of rural communities. Discusses ways technology and artificial intelligence may offer needed services. Presents models and infrastructure necessary to implement improvements.
Author(s): William B Weeks, Justin Spelhaug, James N Weinstein, Juan M Lavista Ferres
Citation: Journal of Rural Health
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
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Racial, Ethnic, and Rural Disparities in Distance to Physicians among Decedents with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias in Washington State
Evaluates travel distance to the nearest neurologist and primary care physician among people whose cause of death was related to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) in the state of Washington. Utilizes 2011-2021 mortality data. Includes breakdowns of distance to care by race, ethnicity, and level of rurality. Highlights geographic access disparities experienced by American Indian, Alaska Native, and Hispanic people.
Author(s): Solmaz Amiri, Jonae I. Keffeler, Dennis R. Crain, Justin T. Denney, Dedra Buchwald
Citation: Alzheimer's & Dementia, 20(5), 3671–3678
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
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Intimate Partner Violence in Rural Communities: Perspectives from Key Informant Interviews
Policy brief discusses the challenges faces by victims and survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) seeking support services in rural communities. Bases findings on interviews with staff members from IPV victim support and advocacy organizations and highlights areas for organizations to improve support services for rural IPV victims and survivors.
Author(s): Alyssa H. Fritz, Emily C. Sheffield, Phoebe L. Chastain, et al.
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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American Clusters: Using Machine Learning to Understand Health and Health Care Disparities in the United States
Demonstrates the strengths and weaknesses of using machine learning (ML) to identify social determinants of health, healthcare access, healthcare infrastructure, and geography factors contributing to health inequalities. Discusses use of ML in policy, with different levels of geography, and in future research.
Author(s): Diane M. Bowser, Kaili Maurico, Brielle A. Ruscitti, William H. Crown
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 2(3)
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
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