Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Research methods and resources
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
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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
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Reaching the Unheard: Overcoming Challenges in Health Research with Hard-to-Reach Populations
Analyzes strategies to engage hard-to-reach populations in health research. Discusses two case studies focused on specific issues in health research: breast cancer screening among rural and urban Mexican women in Illinois and mental health needs of Afghan refugees in Oklahoma. Provides reflection on issues such as cultural competency, language used in research, cultural identity and representation of research staff, choosing appropriate research sites, and more.
Author(s): Venera Bekteshi, Munjireen Sifat, Darla E. Kendzor
Citation: International Journal for Equity in Health, 23, 61
Date: 03/2024
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Analyzes strategies to engage hard-to-reach populations in health research. Discusses two case studies focused on specific issues in health research: breast cancer screening among rural and urban Mexican women in Illinois and mental health needs of Afghan refugees in Oklahoma. Provides reflection on issues such as cultural competency, language used in research, cultural identity and representation of research staff, choosing appropriate research sites, and more.
Author(s): Venera Bekteshi, Munjireen Sifat, Darla E. Kendzor
Citation: International Journal for Equity in Health, 23, 61
Date: 03/2024
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Kentucky Outreach Service Kiosk (KyOSK) Study Protocol: A Community-Level, Controlled Quasi-Experimental, Type 1 Hybrid Effectiveness Study to Assess Implementation, Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of a Community-Tailored Harm Reduction Kiosk on HIV, HCV and Overdose Risk in Rural Appalachia
Reports on study design and implementation of a kiosk-based harm reduction intervention focused on HIV, hepatitis C, and overdose risk in rural Appalachia. Describes characteristics of two selected Appalachian Kentucky counties, eligibility criteria, data collection procedures, and study outcome measurement.
Author(s): April M Young, Jennifer R Havens, Hannah L F Cooper, et al.
Citation: BMJ Open, 14(3), e083983
Date: 03/2024
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Reports on study design and implementation of a kiosk-based harm reduction intervention focused on HIV, hepatitis C, and overdose risk in rural Appalachia. Describes characteristics of two selected Appalachian Kentucky counties, eligibility criteria, data collection procedures, and study outcome measurement.
Author(s): April M Young, Jennifer R Havens, Hannah L F Cooper, et al.
Citation: BMJ Open, 14(3), e083983
Date: 03/2024
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In Search of Rural: How Varying Definitions Shape Housing Research
Describes the effect of rural definitions on rural housing research. Categorizes rural definitions by type, and compares data produced by applying 11 rural definitions to 2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Discusses definition impacts on estimated rural demographics and housing stock, characteristics, and challenges. Includes state-by-state estimates of rural population share for each definition.
Author(s): Alexander Hermann, Whitney Airgood-Obrycki
Date: 02/2024
Sponsoring organization: Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University (JCHS)
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Describes the effect of rural definitions on rural housing research. Categorizes rural definitions by type, and compares data produced by applying 11 rural definitions to 2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Discusses definition impacts on estimated rural demographics and housing stock, characteristics, and challenges. Includes state-by-state estimates of rural population share for each definition.
Author(s): Alexander Hermann, Whitney Airgood-Obrycki
Date: 02/2024
Sponsoring organization: Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University (JCHS)
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Digital Health Interventions for All? Examining Inclusivity Across All Stages of the Digital Health Intervention Research Process
Discusses the benefits of digital health interventions as well as the digital health divide that creates barriers to inclusive research processes. Highlights study design interventions during the recruitment, enrollment, engagement, efficacy/effectiveness, and retention stages that can contribute to inclusivity for underserved populations, including rural.
Author(s): Rebecca A. Krukowski, Kathryn M. Ross, Max J. Western, et al.
Citation: Trials, 25, 98
Date: 01/2024
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Discusses the benefits of digital health interventions as well as the digital health divide that creates barriers to inclusive research processes. Highlights study design interventions during the recruitment, enrollment, engagement, efficacy/effectiveness, and retention stages that can contribute to inclusivity for underserved populations, including rural.
Author(s): Rebecca A. Krukowski, Kathryn M. Ross, Max J. Western, et al.
Citation: Trials, 25, 98
Date: 01/2024
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Unequal Treatment Revisited - The Current State of Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care: Proceedings of a Workshop
Highlights the proceedings of a workshop on addressing racial and ethnic disparities and equitable healthcare delivery. Presents care perspectives for American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities, among others. Discusses health equity research strategies and challenges.
Author(s): Board on Health Care Services
Date: 01/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Highlights the proceedings of a workshop on addressing racial and ethnic disparities and equitable healthcare delivery. Presents care perspectives for American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities, among others. Discusses health equity research strategies and challenges.
Author(s): Board on Health Care Services
Date: 01/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Toward a Framework to Improve Diversity and Inclusion in Clinical Trials: Proceedings of a Workshop
Summarizes a May 2024 workshop discussing opportunities for increasing racial and ethnic diversity in clinical trials. Report discusses community engagement, data best practices, access to trials in their communities, perspectives of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and cross-sector collaborations. Includes information on community-based research, ethics, and relationship building within tribal communities as well as infrastructure challenges in rural clinical trial site selection.
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): National Cancer Policy Forum
Date: 2024
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Summarizes a May 2024 workshop discussing opportunities for increasing racial and ethnic diversity in clinical trials. Report discusses community engagement, data best practices, access to trials in their communities, perspectives of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and cross-sector collaborations. Includes information on community-based research, ethics, and relationship building within tribal communities as well as infrastructure challenges in rural clinical trial site selection.
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): National Cancer Policy Forum
Date: 2024
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Recruitment in Appalachian, Rural and Older Adult Populations in an Artificial Intelligence World: Study Using Human-Mediated Follow-Up
Evaluates the effectiveness of a research study recruitment strategy using multiple contact methods for the rural, older adult population in Appalachian Pennsylvania. Includes rural and urban comparisons within Appalachian Pennsylvania and discusses common barriers to research participation for this group.
Author(s): Tabitha Milliken, Donielle Beiler, Samantha Hoffman, Ashlee Olenginski, Vanessa Troiani
Citation: JMIR Formative Research, 8(2024), 38189
Date: 2024
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Evaluates the effectiveness of a research study recruitment strategy using multiple contact methods for the rural, older adult population in Appalachian Pennsylvania. Includes rural and urban comparisons within Appalachian Pennsylvania and discusses common barriers to research participation for this group.
Author(s): Tabitha Milliken, Donielle Beiler, Samantha Hoffman, Ashlee Olenginski, Vanessa Troiani
Citation: JMIR Formative Research, 8(2024), 38189
Date: 2024
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The Social Vulnerability of Farmworker Communities in North Central Florida: Challenges and Opportunities for Mapping Vulnerable Populations
Describes an emergency preparedness project to develop social vulnerability indicators and conduct geospatial mapping analysis of the places that farmworkers live and work in north central Florida. Discusses collaborations with farmworker-focused community based organizations and community advisory boards, ethics, and public health implications of the work. Includes recommendations to public health workers and policymakers interested in farmworker communities.
Author(s): Miranda Carver Martin, Amr Abd-Elrahman, Paul Monaghan
Date: 2024
Sponsoring organization: Natural Hazards Center
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Describes an emergency preparedness project to develop social vulnerability indicators and conduct geospatial mapping analysis of the places that farmworkers live and work in north central Florida. Discusses collaborations with farmworker-focused community based organizations and community advisory boards, ethics, and public health implications of the work. Includes recommendations to public health workers and policymakers interested in farmworker communities.
Author(s): Miranda Carver Martin, Amr Abd-Elrahman, Paul Monaghan
Date: 2024
Sponsoring organization: Natural Hazards Center
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Advancing Research on Chronic Conditions in Women
Examines gaps in what is known about chronic conditions that affect women differently or are specific to or predominantly impact women. Includes insights specific to underserved rural women. Offers recommendations for a research agenda, one of which is inclusion of rural women in studies.
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): Committee on a Framework for the Consideration of Chronic Debilitating Conditions in Women
Date: 2024
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Examines gaps in what is known about chronic conditions that affect women differently or are specific to or predominantly impact women. Includes insights specific to underserved rural women. Offers recommendations for a research agenda, one of which is inclusion of rural women in studies.
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): Committee on a Framework for the Consideration of Chronic Debilitating Conditions in Women
Date: 2024
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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