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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Public health

Impaired Driving Among Rural Appalachian Women in the Year Following Incarceration
Results of a study examining impaired driving following incarceration and predictors of impaired driving in sample of rural Appalachian women with a history of drug use and risky sex. Features demographics and statistics with breakdown by risk factor.
Author(s): J. Matthew Webster, Megan F. Dickson, Shawn M. Jamison, Michele Staton
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(4), 105-114
Date: 01/2025
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Access to Firearms and Opioids Among Veterans at Risk for Suicide
Analyzes rates of access to firearms and opioids, gun safety practices, and being provided or declining naloxone or firearm locks among 38,454 veterans at risk for suicide, utilizing 2021-2023 Veterans Health Administration electronic health record data. Includes demographic breakdowns, including rural versus urban dwelling.
Author(s): Gabriela Kattan Khazanov, Matthew Wilson, Tom Cidav, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(1), e2456906
Date: 01/2025
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Differences in Influenza Testing and Treatment in Micropolitan Versus Metropolitan Areas in the U.S. Using Medicare Claims Data from 2010 to 2016
Compares rates of influenza testing and anti-viral treatment in micropolitan and metropolitan statistical areas, utilizing 2010-2016 CMS billing data. Discusses the significance of geographic disparities for influenza public health response.
Author(s): Alexia Couture, F. Scott Dahlgren, Hector S. Izurieta, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 25, 291
Date: 01/2025
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AHRQ Summit to Address Emergency Department Boarding: Technical Report
Report from an October 2024 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) summit to discuss emergency department boarding. Examines some of emergency physicians' biggest concerns and highlights possible solutions to address boarding head-on, including enhancing measurement and standards, re-aligning hospital incentives, and increasing support to empower emergency physicians to do their jobs effectively. Includes sections on rural patients and rural areas.
Author(s): Robin M. Weinick, Sean Bruna, Rachael M. Boicourt, Sean S. Michael, Laura L. Sessums
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Eighth Biennial Report 2025: Health Issues for the State of North Dakota
Updates the previous seven editions of this report with a comprehensive examination of healthcare workforce licensure data related to number of licensed professionals, locations, specialties, and demographics in rural and urban North Dakota. Includes three new chapters on indigenous health, women's and children's health, and the community impacts of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences
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A Systemic Safety Study of Pedestrians in Tribal Areas
Examines pedestrian safety risks in tribal areas, identifies high-risk areas that contribute to injuries and fatalities, and provides countermeasures to improve safety. Includes a literature review on pedestrian safety, data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and state/tribal departments of transportation (DOTs), crash analysis, interview feedback from tribal employees, suggestions for countermeasures, and more.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Treasury
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What Cancers Explain the Growing Rural-Urban Gap in Human Papillomavirus-Associated Cancer Incidence?
Presents a study comparing rates of Human-Papillomavirus (HPV) related cancers in rural and urban populations. Breaks down data by sex and rurality and tracks rates in 5 year increments from 2000 to 2019.
Author(s): Jason Semprini, Whitney Zahnd, Heather M. Brandt
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1), e12915
Date: 01/2025
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Epidemiological Model Can Forecast COVID-19 Outbreaks from Wastewater-Based Surveillance in Rural Communities
Examines the ability of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) to identify potential outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 in rural communities. Analyzes wastewater in 6 communities and observes WBE's predictive accuracy to forecast SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks.
Author(s): Tyler Meadows, Erik R. Coats, Solana Narum, et al.
Citation: Water Research, 268
Date: 01/2025
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2024 Louisiana Health Report Card
Provides vital statistics and other health data by parish for Louisiana. Covers disease incidence, behavioral health, and mortality, with highlighted topics including cancer, teen pregnancy, low birthweight babies, infectious disease, opioid use, deaths due to suicide and violence, and more.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Louisiana Department of Health
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Healthcare and Public Health Risk Identification and Site Criticality 2.0 Toolkit (RISC 2.0 Toolkit)
Offers a data-driven all-hazards risk assessment toolkit with self-assessment modules for healthcare and public health organizations, including those in rural areas, to enhance their ability to identify threats and hazards, perform risk management activities, assess vulnerabilities, and improve their security and resilience. Includes a specific cybersecurity module that focuses on the cybersecurity strength of an organization, also known as cyber risk posture, and offers guidance on related policies, controls, and practices.
Additional links: Cybersecurity Module, RISC Toolkit Fact Sheet
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response
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