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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Population health

Empowering our People: Predictors of Retention in an STI Risk Reduction Program among Rural Native Americans with Binge Substance Use
Examines retention factors for Native Americans who have experienced binge substance use and who participate in sexually transmitted infection (STI) risk reduction programs. Discusses connection between substance use and STI risk behavior in rural Native communities and analyzes data for 150 participants of an STI risk reduction program.
Author(s): Lauren Tingey, Summer Rosenstock, Rachel Chambers, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 38(2), 323-335
Date: 05/2021
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State and Community Efforts to Address Stimulant Use
Explores state and community-based efforts to address stimulant misuse. Summarizes common themes and key findings that emerged from discussions with a diverse group of stakeholders. Covers program activities, funding sources, facilitators, and barriers to implementing programs to respond to stimulant use. Identifies policy options for community, state, and federal stakeholders. Includes rural references throughout.
Author(s): Rebecca L. Haffajee, Sara Heins
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organizations: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, RAND Corporation
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PeaceHealth Is Vaccinating Rural America Through Peer-to-Peer Outreach
Describes how PeaceHealth is promoting COVID-19 vaccines among farmworkers in rural Washington. Discusses the role of community health workers and digital media in educating people about the importance of vaccination.
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Mask Use and Ventilation Improvements to Reduce COVID-19 Incidence in Elementary Schools — Georgia, November 16–December 11, 2020
Examines the impact of school-level prevention strategies on COVID-19 incidence among students and staff members at Georgia elementary schools with in-person learning, before the availability of the COVID-19 vaccines. Includes data on case levels in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas.
Author(s): Jenna Gettings, Michaila Czarnik, Elana Morris, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(21), 779-784
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Pain in the Nation: Alcohol, Drug, and Suicide Epidemics - Special Feature: COVID-19 and Trauma
Explores the effect the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent trauma it has had on rates of suicide and alcohol- and drug-induced deaths across the nation. Breaks down data by a number of indicators, such as by age, race, and rural versus urban location.
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organization: Trust for America's Health
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Impact of Socioeconomic Status, Race and Ethnicity, and Geography on Prenatal Detection of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and Transposition of the Great Arteries
Results of a study of 1,862 prenatal and postnatal patients from 21 North American cardiology centers, to determine whether socioeconomic and geographic factors were correlated with lower rates of prenatal detection of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and transposition of the great arteries (TGA). Also compares social determinants of health between the U.S. and Canada due to different healthcare systems. Features demographics and statistics with breakdowns by rural or nonrural location.
Author(s): Anita Krishnan, Marni B. Jacobs, Shaine A. Morris, et al.
Citation: Circulation, 143(20), 2049-2060
Date: 05/2021
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Health Equity and COVID-19: The Impact of Rural Residence on COVID-19 Disparities
Policy brief discussing rural health disparities, social determinants of health, access to care, and COVID-19 impacts in rural Georgia. Compares rural and urban COVID-19 case and death rates, distribution of cases by race, and disparities in Black and Hispanic rural counties. Offers policy recommendations to address disparities.
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organization: Georgia Health Policy Center
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Rural-Urban Differences in Health-Related Quality of Life: Patterns for Cancer Survivors Compared to Other Older Adults
Study examining health-related quality of life for older cancer survivors based on data from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (SEER-MHOS), comparing quality of life scores in urban and rural areas. Describes implications for interventions to support physical, social, and emotional health-related quality of life for rural older cancer survivors.
Author(s): Jennifer L. Moss, Casey N. Pinto, Scherezade K. Mama, et al.
Citation: Quality of Life Research, 30, 1131-1143
Date: 04/2021
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Caring for American Indian and Alaska Native Children and Adolescents
Examines the influence of historical trauma and health inequities on the socioeconomic and health status of AI/AN youth. Discusses the disproportionate mental and cardiovascular health needs, and disease processes of AI/AN youth. Identifies strategies for culturally sensitive care to lessen morbidity, and makes policy recommendations supporting institutional and system changes for improving health outcomes.
Author(s): Bell. S., Deen, J.F., Fuentes, M., Moore, K.
Citation: Pediatrics, 147(4)
Date: 04/2021
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Hunger and the Local Economy: Integrated State-Level Approaches to Food Access
Describes food insecurity challenges in rural America. Explores state policy options to improve food access such as food bucks, food procurement reforms, farm to school programs, cooperative development tax incentives, farmers markets, establishing food hubs, and supporting small grocers. Offers policy recommendations to increase access to healthy food and address food insecurity in rural communities.
Author(s): Nathan Beacom
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Affairs
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