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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Social connectedness

Social Cohesion and Social Engagement among Older Adults Aging in Place: Rural/Urban Differences
Results of a study examining rural/urban differences in social cohesion and social engagement for older adults aging in place, and within-rural differences by race and ethnicity. Uses survey data collected in 2019 from 3,343 Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older.
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Megan Lahr, Hannah MacDougall, John Mulcahy
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
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Aging in Place in Rural America: Challenges, Opportunities, and Policy Initiatives
Webinar presenting results from studies investigating challenges, opportunities, and policy implications for older adults who are aging in place in rural areas. Examines nationally-representative survey data, offers a content analysis of state-level policies and initiatives, and describes a survey of representatives of state offices of rural health. Features statistics showing differences among rural and urban older adults in areas including educational attainment, income, housing type and ownership, unmet mobility needs, and social cohesion.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Megan Lahr
Date: 01/2022
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Health Research Gateway, University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Examining Barriers and Facilitators to Palliative Care Access in Rural Areas: A Scoping Review
Presents findings from a review of 28 peer-reviewed studies regarding barriers and facilitators to access to palliative care in rural areas. Covers perspectives from patients, families, and providers.
Author(s): Yun Cai, Nasreen Lalani
Citation: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, 39(1), 123-130
Date: 2022
Type: Document
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Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Rural and Urban People with Disabilities
Explores the prevalence of social isolation and loneliness among people with disabilities. Examines data from the Health and Retirement Survey (HRS) as well as the National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD) to identify factors associated with social isolation and loneliness, including living in a rural location and transportation problems.
Author(s): Catherine Ipsen, Gilbert Gimm
Date: 11/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities
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Psychosocial Predictors of Adverse Outcomes in Rural Heart Failure Caregivers
Results of a study of 114 rural and 426 urban caregivers in the southeastern United States, to examine whether social support, problem solving, and family function affected burden in caregivers of individuals with heart failure. Features demographic statistics and descriptive differences with breakdowns between urban and rural caregivers.
Author(s): Joan S. Grant, Lucinda J. Graven, Glenna Schluck, Laurie Abbott
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 21(3), 6497
Date: 07/2021
Type: Document
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An Analysis of the Costs and Benefits of Providing Increased Mobility to Reduce Social Isolation Among America's Aging Population
Quantifies the cost of providing greater mobility to aging adults through public transportation in small urban and rural communities, using data from 10 states representing different regions of the country with large rural populations or a large percentage of rural residents. Features statistics on population with breakdowns by percentage of rural residents, and operating costs compared with increased Medicare costs due to isolation, with breakdowns by state.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Del Peterson, Antonio Molina
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute
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Demographics and Disability Status of Adults Living Alone in Rural Areas
Policy brief examining differences in age and disability status of people who live alone in rural and urban areas. Describes health impacts of living alone and explores American Community Survey (ACS) data from 2014-2018 to represent demographic characteristics and prevalence of disabilities for rural and urban adults living alone.
Author(s): Jonathan Schroeder, Carrie Henning-Smith, Mariana Tuttle
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Looking at the Rural Homelessness Experience: Definitions, Data, and Solutions
Explains how homelessness impacts health. Features a Vermont organization's work using the evidence-based Housing First model to help people with mental health and substance use challenges and others who lack social supports and have housing needs.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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An Analysis of Suicide Risk Factors among Farmers in the Midwestern United States
Study examining psychological, social, and contextual risk factors for suicide among farmers. Draws data from 600 surveys of agricultural producers in Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, and South Dakota. Discusses rates of depression, anxiety, farming-specific stressors, social support, and coping strategies.
Author(s): Andrea Bjornestad, Courtney Cuthbertson, Jessie Hendricks
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(7), 3563
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
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Social Isolation and Loneliness in Rural Communities and the Role of Cross-Sector Partnerships
Discussion with Carrie Henning-Smith around social isolation and loneliness in rural communities and obstacles to address these issues. Profiles how two Minnesota communities took steps to improve accessibility and social cohesion. Describes how cross-sector partnerships can promote an equitable recovery of rural communities after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Date: 02/2021
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Build Healthy Places Network
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