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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Population health

The Nature of the Rural-Urban Mortality Gap
Examines rural-urban mortality disparities in the working-age U.S. population. Analyzes the natural-cause mortality (NCM) rate with 1999-2019 data from the Centers for Disease Control's wide-ranging online data for epidemiology research (WONDER) database according to sex, race and ethnicity, health condition, region, and state.
Author(s): Kelsey L. Thomas, Elizabeth A. Dobis, David A. McGranahan
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Nutritional Guidance on Fitness Centers' Websites in Illinois: An Automated Content Analysis
Examines the nutritional content on fitness websites in Illinois as well as metro versus nonmetro statistics related to body mass index (BMI), diet, physical activity, and more.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
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Associations of Demographic and Social Factors on Health-Related Quality-of-Life Changes Among Older Women With Breast or Gynecologic Cancer
Identifies factors associated with changes in physical and mental quality of life among women aged 65 and older with breast or gynecologic cancer, utilizing 1998-2017 SEER-MHOS data. Compares quality of life over time by race and ethnicity, marital status, level of health-related social interference, and rurality. Discusses implications to nurse-led quality-of-life interventions for older patients.
Author(s): Elizabeth K. Arthur, Melica Nikahd, J. Madison Hyer, et al.
Citation: Oncology Nursing Forum, 51(2), 127-141
Date: 03/2024
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The Impact of Rural General Hospital Closures on Communities—A Systematic Review of the Literature
Presents a literature review of studies on the health and economic effects hospital closures have had on rural communities. Analyzes 21 studies completed in the previous 8 years and details the economic and healthcare access outcomes identified.
Author(s): Carol A. Mills, Valerie A. Yeager, Kathleen T. Unroe, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 40(2), 238-248
Date: 03/2024
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The Emergence of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico Requires a Binational One Health Approach
Explores the "One Health" binational model for addressing Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in human and animal population on the U.S.-Mexico border. Highlights the ways physicians and veterinarians can collaborate in a cross-border response to prevent RMSF. Makes rural and urban comparisons and discusses considerations for tribal communities.
Author(s): Janet Foley, Gerardo Álvarez-Hernández, Laura H. Backus, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 262(5), 698-704
Date: 02/2024
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2023 Maine Perinatal Health Disparities Needs Assessment
Qualitative assessment of the perinatal system of care in Maine, based on information from interviews and rural focus groups. Includes information on perinatal health indicators and the perinatal workforce capacity, and offers recommendations for improvement.
Author(s): Cecelia Stewart, Allison Tippery, Hailey Marnell-Bozdag, Frances Tarbell
Date: 02/2024
Sponsoring organization: Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention
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Risk Factors and Health Behaviors Associated With Loneliness Among Cancer Survivors During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Explores loneliness as a driver of negative health outcomes among cancer survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Breaks down data by age, cancer type, living situation, and rural versus urban location, among other measures.
Author(s): Elena S. Aßmann, Jennifer Ose, Cassandra A. Hathaway, et al.
Citation: Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 47, 405-421
Date: 02/2024
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Association Between a Network-Based Physician Linchpin Score and Cancer Patient Mortality: A Seer-Medicare Analysis
Presents a study on patient-sharing networks among multidisciplinary teams treating cancer patients and, specifically, the oncologists hold these networks together as "linchpins". Discusses these linchpin oncologists and evaluates the effect they have on cancer outcomes. Explores the affect this has on patients with a number of variables, including living in a rural area.
Author(s): Erika L. Moen, Rachel O. Schmidt, Tracy Onega, et al.
Citation: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 116(2), 230-238
Date: 02/2024
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Factors Associated With Myocardial Infarction in a Rural Population With Peripheral Arterial Diseases
Examines the association between sociodemographic and clinical risk factors and myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with peripheral arterial diseases (PAD) in Central Appalachia. Uses data from 5,574 patients in 230 counties across Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Features statistics on characteristics of patients with PAD based on presence or absence of MI.
Author(s): Adeola O. Awujoola, Moboni T. Mokikan, Olufeyisayo O. Odebunmi, et al.
Citation: Angiology, 0(0)
Date: 02/2024
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An Exploration of Rural Housing Insecurity As A Public Health Problem in California's Rural Northern Counties
Explores housing insecurity in rural contexts through interviews with 153 adults in California's North State, a rural region with relatively high rates of poverty and unemployment. Discusses challenges related to housing affordability and availability, stability, quality, and community participation, including housing's influence on access to essential services and employment.
Author(s): Tamar M.J. Antin, Emile Sanders, Sharon Lipperman-Kreda, Geoffrey Hunt, Rachelle Annechino
Citation: Journal of Community Health, 49(4), 644-655
Date: 02/2024
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