Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Social connectedness
Disability Pride and Community Connection in Eastern Virginia: The disAbility Resource Center of the Rappahannock Area, Inc.
Case study highlighting the outreach efforts of The disAbility Resource Center of the Rappahannock Area, Inc (dRC), a Center for Independent Living (CIL) in eastern Virginia. Discusses the implementation and outcomes of peer mentoring and community engagement initiatives focused on supporting people with disabilities in underserved areas.
Author(s): Luke Santore, Lillie Greiman, Rayna Sage
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Montana: Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities
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Case study highlighting the outreach efforts of The disAbility Resource Center of the Rappahannock Area, Inc (dRC), a Center for Independent Living (CIL) in eastern Virginia. Discusses the implementation and outcomes of peer mentoring and community engagement initiatives focused on supporting people with disabilities in underserved areas.
Author(s): Luke Santore, Lillie Greiman, Rayna Sage
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Montana: Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities
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Reflections from Lived Experience: Disability and Public Libraries
Examines disability needs as related to rural public libraries and their services. Focuses on library networking, information resources, outreach, and accessing community resources in rural areas. Discusses library services such as assisting with health insurance and benefits enrollment, social connectedness, transportation needs, and more.
Author(s): Jeff Gutierrez
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Montana: Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities
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Examines disability needs as related to rural public libraries and their services. Focuses on library networking, information resources, outreach, and accessing community resources in rural areas. Discusses library services such as assisting with health insurance and benefits enrollment, social connectedness, transportation needs, and more.
Author(s): Jeff Gutierrez
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Montana: Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities
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Mechanisms of Resilience and Coping to Intersectional HIV Prevention and Drug-Use Stigma among People who Inject Drugs in Rural Appalachian Ohio
Analyzes perspectives on resilience and coping strategies and behaviors related to stigma reduction and HIV prevention among people who inject drugs (PWID) in rural Appalachian Ohio, utilizing interview data of 35 PWID. Discusses the role of supports for PWID in improving public health outcomes in rural areas.
Author(s): Stacy Endres-Dighe, Ana D. Sucaldito, Renee McDowell, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 22, 18
Date: 02/2025
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Analyzes perspectives on resilience and coping strategies and behaviors related to stigma reduction and HIV prevention among people who inject drugs (PWID) in rural Appalachian Ohio, utilizing interview data of 35 PWID. Discusses the role of supports for PWID in improving public health outcomes in rural areas.
Author(s): Stacy Endres-Dighe, Ana D. Sucaldito, Renee McDowell, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 22, 18
Date: 02/2025
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Social Network Barriers to Extended-Release Naltrexone Within Rural Appalachia: Perspectives from Justice-Involved Clients and Clinicians
Presents a study on the role of family, friends, and clinicians can play in influencing naltrexone treatment uptake of people with opioid use disorder (POUD) who are incarcerated in Appalachia. Bases findings on interviews with clinicians and breaks down data by sociodemographic characteristics, substance use, and social network composition, among other measures.
Author(s): Amanda M. Bunting, Carrie B. Oser, Marisa Booty, et al.
Citation: Substance Use & Misuse, 60(5), 758-765
Date: 01/2025
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Presents a study on the role of family, friends, and clinicians can play in influencing naltrexone treatment uptake of people with opioid use disorder (POUD) who are incarcerated in Appalachia. Bases findings on interviews with clinicians and breaks down data by sociodemographic characteristics, substance use, and social network composition, among other measures.
Author(s): Amanda M. Bunting, Carrie B. Oser, Marisa Booty, et al.
Citation: Substance Use & Misuse, 60(5), 758-765
Date: 01/2025
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An Asset-Based Examination of Contextual Factors Influencing Nutrition Security: The Case of Rural Northern New England
Highlights a study aimed at identifying the characteristics that support nutrition security via a case study in rural New England. Bases finding on interviews with nutrition professionals and aims to identify the various factors that correlate with nutrition security, such as local food production and strong social networks, among other factors.
Author(s): Claire H. Ryan, Caitlin Morgan, Jonathan G. Malacarne, Emily H. Belarmino
Citation: Nutrients, 17(2), 295
Date: 01/2025
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Highlights a study aimed at identifying the characteristics that support nutrition security via a case study in rural New England. Bases finding on interviews with nutrition professionals and aims to identify the various factors that correlate with nutrition security, such as local food production and strong social networks, among other factors.
Author(s): Claire H. Ryan, Caitlin Morgan, Jonathan G. Malacarne, Emily H. Belarmino
Citation: Nutrients, 17(2), 295
Date: 01/2025
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Investigating Suicide Risk Factors Among Appalachian West Virginian Adults
Results of a study exploring lifetime suicide risk in West Virginia. Identifies factors driving urban-rural differences in suicide risk, using survey data from the 2021 Mountain State Assessment of Trends in Community Health. Features demographics and statistics with breakdown by urban or rural residence.
Author(s): Erin D. Caswell, Angela M. Dyer, Summer D. Hartley
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(4), 41-66
Date: 01/2025
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Results of a study exploring lifetime suicide risk in West Virginia. Identifies factors driving urban-rural differences in suicide risk, using survey data from the 2021 Mountain State Assessment of Trends in Community Health. Features demographics and statistics with breakdown by urban or rural residence.
Author(s): Erin D. Caswell, Angela M. Dyer, Summer D. Hartley
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(4), 41-66
Date: 01/2025
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A Cross-Sectional Study Exploring the Role of Social Isolation in the Relationship Between Food Insecurity, Depressive Symptoms, and Resource Use Among Midwestern Rural Veterans in the U.S.
Presents a study focusing on the role social isolation plays in short an long-term food insecurity among rural veterans living in the Midwest. Explores rates of resource use and depressive symptoms associated with social isolation. Breaks down data by race, age, and employment status, among other measures.
Author(s): Mwiza A. Uwashimimana, Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth, Douglas A. Sneddon, et al.
Citation: Nutrients, 17(2), 318
Date: 01/2025
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Presents a study focusing on the role social isolation plays in short an long-term food insecurity among rural veterans living in the Midwest. Explores rates of resource use and depressive symptoms associated with social isolation. Breaks down data by race, age, and employment status, among other measures.
Author(s): Mwiza A. Uwashimimana, Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth, Douglas A. Sneddon, et al.
Citation: Nutrients, 17(2), 318
Date: 01/2025
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Rural Roads to Cognitive Resilience (RRR): A Prospective Cohort Study Protocol
Study protocol to investigate the influence of smoke-related fine particulate matter exposures and social and built environments on social isolation and cognitive function among rural Floridians in areas affected by seasonal agricultural burning. Discusses the significance of health disparities associated with agriculture in predominantly Black and Hispanic communities.
Author(s): Lilah M. Besser, Lisa Wiese, Diane J. Cook, et al.
Citation: PloS ONE, 20(1), e0312660
Date: 01/2025
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Study protocol to investigate the influence of smoke-related fine particulate matter exposures and social and built environments on social isolation and cognitive function among rural Floridians in areas affected by seasonal agricultural burning. Discusses the significance of health disparities associated with agriculture in predominantly Black and Hispanic communities.
Author(s): Lilah M. Besser, Lisa Wiese, Diane J. Cook, et al.
Citation: PloS ONE, 20(1), e0312660
Date: 01/2025
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Translation and Assessment of Encultured Meaning of the Multi-Dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support in Diné Bizaad (Navajo) Using Community-Based Participatory Action Research Methods
Highlights the community-engaged research approach to translating the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) into the Diné bizaad (Navajo) language so that it can be used to measure perceived social support in Navajo communities. Breaks down the structure of the MSPSS and details the translation process through a community-based participatory research method.
Author(s): Tapati Dutta, Jon Agley, Camille Keith, Gregory Zimet
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 25(1), 9433
Date: 01/2025
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Highlights the community-engaged research approach to translating the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) into the Diné bizaad (Navajo) language so that it can be used to measure perceived social support in Navajo communities. Breaks down the structure of the MSPSS and details the translation process through a community-based participatory research method.
Author(s): Tapati Dutta, Jon Agley, Camille Keith, Gregory Zimet
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 25(1), 9433
Date: 01/2025
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National Community Care Corps 2023-2025 Grantee Snapshots: Volunteer Power Supporting Health at Home
Highlights programs supporting independent living and wellness for older adults, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers funded by Community Care Corps grants between 2023 and 2025. Includes programs in and for rural communities in California, Georgia, Washington, Idaho, Oklahoma, and Alabama offering transportation, social connection, and housework services.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: National Community Care Corps
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Highlights programs supporting independent living and wellness for older adults, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers funded by Community Care Corps grants between 2023 and 2025. Includes programs in and for rural communities in California, Georgia, Washington, Idaho, Oklahoma, and Alabama offering transportation, social connection, and housework services.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: National Community Care Corps
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