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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Provision of Social Care Services by US Hospitals
Explores the extent to which social care services are provided by hospitals. Analyzes data from the 2018 American Hospital Association (AHA) Annual Survey and Community Benefit Insight to identify the number and type of social care services provided by hospitals. Examines whether community and hospital characteristics, including bed size, system affiliation, rurality, neighborhood median income, and state community benefit requirements, are associated with these services.
Author(s): Bradley Iott, Denise Anthony
Citation: The Milbank Quarterly, 101(2), 601-635
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
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Urban-Rural Disparities in Interfacility Transfers for Children During COVID-19
Presents a study on the rates of rural and urban pediatric interfacility transfers (IFTs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Compares IFT rates from before the pandemic. Breaks down rural and urban data by medical complexity, transfer type, and census region, among other measures.
Author(s): Corrie E. McDaniel, DO,1,2 JoAnna K. Leyenaar, MD, PhD, MPH,3,4 Mersine A. Bryan, et al
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 39(3), 611-616
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
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The State of the Nation's Housing 2023
Provides an overview of the housing market in the U.S. through early 2023. Focuses on housing demand, challenges, and related demographic indicators, including county-level immigration maps, rural versus urban market comparisons, and housing issues specific to rural areas.
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University
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Telehealth Adoption in Kentucky Prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Reports statistics and data on the adoption of telehealth, including remote patient monitoring, in Kentucky before the COVID-19 pandemic. Compares rural and urban areas with U.S. averages, and highlights adoption rates in Critical Access and short-term acute care hospitals. Discusses the implications of pre-pandemic telehealth adoption for COVID-19 response in Kentucky.
Author(s): Claudia A. Rhoades
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Community & Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky
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Rural Relocators: COVID-19 and Rural Population Growth
Compares population growth in rural and urban North Carolina in context of COVID-19 using U.S. Census and NC Office of State Budget and Management data. Identifies trends before the COVID-19 public health emergency and during its first and second years, and discusses contributing factors. Presents county-level maps of population change as well as graphs comparing data of rural, suburban, and urban counties, and also provides a table of county-level population data.
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Center
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Nursing Home Staffing Study: Comprehensive Report
Examines the level and type of staffing needed to promote acceptable nursing home quality and safety. Explores the potential implications and feasibility of increased staffing and costs to nursing homes. Presents four options for minimum staffing requirements and their cost, quality, and safety impacts. Includes rural references and considerations throughout.
Additional links: Literature Review Results Table, State Minimum Staffing Requirement
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Abt Associates, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Impact of the COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate on the Primary Care Workforce and Differences Between Rural and Urban Settings to Inform Future Policy Decision-Making
Analyzes the impact of COVID-19 vaccination mandates on the primary healthcare workforce in rural and urban settings. Examines 2021 survey data from 38 rural and 42 urban clinics in Oregon about issues such as job losses, vaccination waivers, and newly vaccinated staff. Includes data on clinic characteristics and impacts of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate across rural and urban clinics, as well as qualitative feedback from survey respondents.
Author(s): Brigit A. Hatch, Erin Kenzie, NithyaPriya Ramalingam, et al.
Citation: PLoS One, 18(6)
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
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Competencies, Training Needs, and Turnover Among Rural Compared With Urban Local Public Health Practitioners: 2021 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey
Analyzes the rural and urban differences in 29,751 public health workers surveyed regarding competencies, training needs, and workplace stressors. Discusses COVID-19 impacts on public health work.
Author(s): Paula M. Kett, Betty Bekemeier, Davis G. Patterson, Kay Schaffer
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 113(6), 689-699
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
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Wisconsin 2022 RN Survey Report
An overview of the registered nurse (RN) and advanced practice nurse (APN) workforce in Wisconsin, based on data from the February 2022 Wisconsin RN Workforce Survey. Features statistics including demographics, geographic distribution, educational preparation, and median income, with breakdowns by rural or urban location.
Author(s): Susan J. Zahner, Barbara Pinekenstein, Kristin Merss, et al.
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin Center for Nursing
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Impact of Higher Payments for Rural Home Health Episodes on Rehospitalizations
Examines the impact of home health rural add-on payments on beneficiary outcomes, specifically on rehospitalizations. Uses Medicare data from 2007 to 2014 to compare rehospitalizations between rural and urban post-acute home health episodes before and after the implementation of the add-on payments in 2010. Discusses the implications of the findings on home health payment policy.
Author(s): Lacey Loomer, Momotazur Rahman, Tracy M. Mroz, Pedro L. Gozalo, Vincent Mor
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 39(3), 604-610
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
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