Rural Health Disparities – Resources

The Growing Rural-Urban Divide in US Life Expectancy: Contribution of Cardiovascular Disease and Other Major Causes of Death
Study examining rural and urban life expectancy between 1999 and 2019 based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) detailed mortality files. Offers data by sex and age on changes in life expectancy, including cause-of-death breakdowns.
Author(s): Leah R. Abrams, Mikko Myrskyla, Neil K. Mehta
Citation: International Journal of Epidemiology, 50(6), 1970-1978
Date: 08/2021
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Cancer Mortality and Research Outcomes in a Rural State
Highlights a study exploring the factors contributing to high cancer rates in rural North Dakota. Breaks down cancer data by sex, ethnicity, and geography, among other measures.
Author(s): Mark R. Williamson, Rashid M. Ahmed
Citation: Wisconsin Medical Journal, 120(2), 120-126
Date: 07/2021
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The Synchronicity of COVID-19 Disparities: Statewide Epidemiologic Trends in SARS-CoV-2 Morbidity, Hospitalization, and Mortality among Racial Minorities and in Rural America
Presents a study of patterns in COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and mortality among all adults tested for COVID-19 infection in Indiana between March 1 and December 31, 2020. Analyzes data by sex, age, rural/urban location, and other demographic factors. Discusses disparities among rural and minority populations during the fall 2020 surge.
Author(s): Brian E. Dixon, Shaun J. Grannis, Lauren R. Lembcke, et al.
Citation: PLoS One, 16(7), e0255063
Date: 07/2021
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QuickStats: Percentage of Adults Aged ≥18 Years With Fair or Poor Health, by Urbanization Level and Age Group — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2019
Bar chart showing adults reporting fair or poor health in metropolitan compared to nonmetro areas, overall and for ages 18-39, 40-64, and 65 or older.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(30), 1048
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Rural Communities at Risk: Widening Health Disparities Present New Challenges in Aftermath of Pandemic
Describes the health status, health disparities, and socioeconomic disparities of vulnerable rural communities. Analyzes the relationship between rural community vulnerability and the stability of the rural health safety net. Includes information on racial health disparities within rural communities.
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organization: The Chartis Group
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Spatial and Temporal Inequalities in Mortality in the USA, 1968-2016
Examines excess mortality at the county level using Poisson regression models adjusted for poverty, education, population change, deindustrialization, and other demographic factors, including rural-urban comparisons. Offers spatial maps and population-weighted cartograms.
Author(s): Welcome Wami, David Walsh, Benjamin D. Hennig, et al.
Citation: Health Place, 70, 102586
Date: 05/2021
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Disparities in Meeting USPSTF Breast, Cervical, and Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines Among Women in the United States
Results of a study to determine which sociodemographic characteristics were associated with women meeting US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening. Features statistics with breakdowns by metropolitan, micropolitan, and rural locations.
Author(s): Gabriel A. Benavidez, Anja Zgodic, Whitney E. Zahnd, Jan M. Eberth
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 18
Date: 04/2021
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Maternal Mortality and Morbidity: Additional Efforts Needed to Assess Program Data for Rural and Underserved Areas
Provides an overview of maternal health disparities in rural and underserved areas, as well as health system, socioeconomic, and patient factors that can contribute to maternal health outcomes. Includes information on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) programs implemented to reduced maternal morbidity and severe maternal mortality. Describes how CDC and HRSA use the data they collect and offers recommendations to improve the utilization of this data and coordination across federal agencies.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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State Health Disparities Research in Rural America: Gaps and Future Directions in an Era of COVID-19
Discusses research methods and partnerships to address rural health disparities. Highlights recommendations from a national workshop on rural health disparities, including community participation in rural health research, innovative research design, interventions that are relevant to rural challenges, and cultural competence in rural research.
Author(s): Lisa Cacari Stone, Mary C. Roary, Augusto Diana, Patricia A. Grady
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 37(3), 460-466
Date: 04/2021
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Rural-Urban Disparities: Diabetes, Hypertension, Heart Disease, and Stroke Mortality Among Black and White Adults, 1999–2018
Article examining racial disparities in diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and stroke mortality, comparing Black and White populations and breaking down data by rural and urban location using CDC Wonder 1999-2018 data. Discusses trends in racial disparities in urban and rural areas.
Author(s): Rahul Aggarwal, Nicholas Chiu, Emefah C. Loccoh, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 77(11), 1480-1481
Date: 03/2021
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