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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Statistics and data

Assessment of Dietary Patterns, Physical Activity and Obesity from a National Survey: Rural-Urban Health Disparities in Older Adults
Examines the association between rural-urban status, physical activity, consumption of fruits and vegetables, and obesity prevalence in older adults by analyzing data derived from respondents aged 65 and above from the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
Author(s): Steven A. Cohen, Mary L. Greaney, Natalie J. Sabik
Citation: PLoS One, 13(12)
Date: 2018
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Defining Homelessness in the Rural United States
Reviews the literature on rural homelessness and data sources available with a focus on how rural and homelessness are defined. Seeks to develop a comprehensive definition of rural homelessness in order to guide future research efforts and help policymakers prioritize assistance. Includes data on rural homelessness over time.
Author(s): Rhucha Samudra, Amelia Yousey
Citation: Online Journal of Rural Research & Policy, 13(4), 1-24
Date: 2018
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Developing Smokeless Tobacco Prevention Messaging for At-Risk Youth: Early Lessons from "The Real Cost" Smokeless Campaign
Presents the findings of two separate qualitative research studies – strategic concept testing and creative concept testing - conducted with youth at risk or who had experimented with smokeless tobacco (SLT), to support the development of health messaging to inform youth on the consequences of SLT use. Focus groups were conducted with 252 rural male youth ages 12-17 from states with high prevalence of SLT associated with the target audience.
Author(s): Matthew W. Walker, Sarah A. Evans, Cameron Wimpy, Amanda T. Berger, Alexandria A. Smith
Citation: Health Equity, 2(1), 167–173
Date: 2018
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Rural New Mexico: Perspectives on Health Care and Access
Offers materials from a series of community forums entitled "Bridging Population Health and Behavioral Health in Rural New Mexico." Addresses definitions of rural, differences between rural and urban health indicators in New Mexico, social determinants of health, healthcare access, behavioral health, and community needs assessments. Includes text, charts, and maps.
Date: 2018
Sponsoring organization: New Mexico Public Health Institute
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Patient Characteristics Associated with Screening Positive for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia
Examines factors in rural, suburban, and urban primary care practices to improve screening for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in Indiana. Includes statistics on demographics and clinical factors by rurality.
Author(s): Nicole R Fowler, Anthony J Perkins, Sujuan Gao, et al.
Citation: Clinical Interventions in Aging, 13, 1779-1785
Date: 2018
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Improving Native American Elder Access to and Use of Health Care Through Effective Health System Navigation
Examines the experiences of American Indian elders (AIEs) in New Mexico related to healthcare and seeking help. Aims to develop evaluation tools and interventions to expand the knowledge of, access to, and use of insurance, in addition to supporting other available health services to reduce health disparities.
Author(s): Cathleen E. Willging, David H. Sommerfeld, Elise Trott Jaramillo, Erik Lujan, Roxane Spruce Bly, et al.
Citation: BMC Health Services Research, 18, 464
Date: 2018
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An Empirical Study of the Determinants of Location of Hospital Mergers and Acquisitions: 1997-2016
Examines trends in hospital mergers and acquisitions based on acquirer ownership status, whether the merger or acquisition was out-of-state, and whether the hospital acquired was rural. Discusses areas for future research based on the findings.
Author(s): David R. Williams, Trent J. Spaulding
Citation: Journal of Health Care Finance, 45(1), 1-20
Date: 2018
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Utah's Occupational Therapy Workforce, 2018: A Study on the Supply and Distribution of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants in Utah
Analyzes Utah's occupational therapy (OT) workforce in 2017. Includes statistics on demographics, practice characteristics, rural and urban practice setting, and county-level information on the OT workforce compared to the county population. Discusses future needs, supply, and demand for OT workforce in Utah. Offers policy recommendations to strengthen the rural workforce.
Author(s): Andrew Salt
Date: 2018
Sponsoring organization: Utah Health Workforce Information Center
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Unintentional Firearm Injuries Remain Prevalent Over a 12 Year Experience at a Rural Midwestern Level 1 Trauma Center
Examines the variety of firearm injuries seen at a rural Iowa level 1 trauma center to provide an awareness of the prevalence, mechanism used in the injury, and variation in seasonal occurrence. Data identifying patients with a firearm injury was obtained from a trauma registry for the years 2002 to 2014. Goal was to distinguish the characteristics of preventable firearm injuries in rural environments to improve firearm education and influence public policy.
Author(s): Brian Guetschow, Michele Lilienthal, Michael Willey
Citation: Iowa Orthopaedic Journal, 38, 45-52
Date: 2018
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Rural and Urban Substance Use Differences: Effects of the Transition to College
Details a study on the differences in alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use among college students from rural and urban areas. Looks at rates of usage for freshman, sophomores, and juniors enrolled in a large, public university in the Southeastern U.S. Breaks down data by age and sex.
Author(s): Karen J. Derefinko, Zoran Bursac, Michael G. Mejia, Richard Milich, Donald R. Lynam
Citation: The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 44(2), 224-234
Date: 2018
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