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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Overall Declines in Child Poverty Mask Relatively Stable Rates Across States
Reports on rates of child poverty in 2015 and changes since 2014. Includes data by region and state for rural, suburban, and urban areas. Finds that child poverty levels have dropped to 2009 pre-recession levels in rural areas, but remain above that in all other areas.
Author(s): Andrew Schaefer, Jessica A. Carson, Marybeth J. Mattingly
Date: 2016
Sponsoring organization: Carsey School of Public Policy
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Fewer Than Half of WIC-Eligible Families Receive WIC Benefits
Examines the characteristics of families eligible for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) who receive WIC benefits compared to those who do not. Includes information on rural versus urban families participating in WIC. Identifies nonparticipating WIC-eligible families that could be targeted for outreach.
Author(s): Kristin Smith
Date: 2016
Sponsoring organization: Carsey School of Public Policy
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Alcohol Use Patterns Among Urban and Rural Residents: Demographic and Social Influences
Analyzes the rates of alcohol use and alcohol use disorder (AUD) in urban and rural areas, and addresses the impact and the consequences of alcohol use on rural populations.
Author(s): Mark A. Dixon, Karen G. Chartier
Citation: Alcohol Research: Current Reviews, 38(1), 69–77
Date: 2016
Sponsoring organization: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
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The Two Georgias: Addressing Health Equity in Rural Georgia
A series of articles discussing health disparities between rural and urban Georgia. Includes sections devoted to literature reviews, qualitative research, population science, needs assessments, and public health practices. Topics range from rural hospital closure, access and use of EMS services, and teen pregnancy, to social determinants of health as connected to childcare programs.
Citation: Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association, 5(4), 294-404
Date: 2016
Sponsoring organization: Georgia Public Health Association
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After a Parent Left Employment, One in Five Children Lost Private Insurance
Examines children's loss of private health insurance after parental job loss. Includes data on rural compared to urban privately insured children. Reports that, after parental job loss, rural and urban children were similarly impacted related to health insurance coverage.
Author(s): Kristin Smith
Date: 2016
Sponsoring organization: Carsey School of Public Policy
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Oral Health Services and Barriers to Care in North Dakota Long Term Care Facilities: Chartbook
Presents the findings of a survey of long term care (LTC) facility staff working in rural and urban North Dakota LTC facilities. Examines current oral health practices and any barriers regarding the provision of oral healthcare to LTC facility residents.
Author(s): Shawnda Schroeder, Patrick Bright
Date: 2016
Sponsoring organization: University of North Dakota Center for Rural Health
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Delivery System Reform and Implications for Rural Communities
Policy brief discussing how rural healthcare providers can benefit from participating in delivery system reform (DSR) to be able to continue providing accessible, quality health services. Offers recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, such as requiring rural healthcare providers to participate in CMS quality programs and having CMS incorporate rural-relevant quality measures that are appropriate for rural healthcare providers.
Date: 12/2015
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Child Poverty in Rural America
Policy brief describing the needs, challenges, and experiences of rural children and families living in poverty and how poverty affects their health. Offers recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop appropriate and integrated health and human service delivery programs and to create flexible grant opportunities that will reach children and families in need.
Date: 12/2015
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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DataGram: Obesity Rates in Rural and Urban Pennsylvania
Provides statistics on obesity rates in Pennsylvania from 2004-2012, with breakdowns by rural and urban areas.
Date: 12/2015
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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QuickStats: Percentage of U.S. Adults Who Looked up Health Information on the Internet in the Past Year, by Type of Locality - National Health Interview Survey, 2012–2014
Bar chart showing the percentage of adults who searched for health information online, comparing rates for those living in metropolitan and nonmetro counties.
Author(s): Deborah D. Ingram, Shilpa Bengeri
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 64(49), 1367
Date: 12/2015
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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