Rural Health Disparities – Resources

Population Health in Rural America in 2020: Proceedings of a Workshop
Presents the proceedings of the Population Health in Rural America 2020 workshop. Chapters examine rural demographics and social determinants of health, rural health and data challenges, rural and tribal healthcare, community health needs assessment, and rural health policy.
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice
Date: 2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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High and Rising Mortality Rates Among Working-Age Adults
Identifies key drivers of increasing death rates and disparities in working-age mortality from 1990-2017 and examines modifiable risk factors that could alleviate poor health and widening health inequalities in the working-age population. Makes recommendations for future research and data collection, and explores potential policy implications. Mentions rural throughout. Features statistics on trends in working-age mortality by age, sex, race/ethnicity, cause of death, and geography.
Author(s): Committee on Rising Midlife Mortality Rates and Socioeconomic Disparities
Date: 2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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County Reclassifications and Rural–Urban Mortality Disparities in the United States (1970–2018)
Examines urban and rural mortality disparities since 1970, comparing baseline changes to mortality rates by decade of reclassificiation of rural and urban counties based on CDC WONDER data. Describes the impact of reclassification on disparities and the importance of rural and urban classification in policy interventions.
Author(s): Matthew M. Brooks, J. Tom Mueller, Brian C. Thiede
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 110(12): 1814-1816
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
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Rural Resilience: The Role of Birth Centers in the United States
Highlights a study on the efficacy of the birth center model for maternity care and delivery in rural communities compared with their urban and suburban counterparts. Breaks down data by core variables, such as maternal age, maternal and infant outcomes, and transfers, among other measures.
Author(s): Diana Jolles, Susan Stapleton, Jennifer Wright, et al.
Citation: Birth, 47(4), 430–437
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
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Healthy Places for Children: The Critical Role of Engagement, Common Vision, and Collaboration
Explores the role of child-friendly zoning in creating positive outcomes for rural and suburban children. Discusses the role of child-friendly zoning codes and services in addressing social determinants of health and public health outcomes. Breaks down the various aspects to be considered in creating child-friendly zoning codes and outlines child-focused services.
Author(s): Mildred E. Warner, Xue Zhang
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(24), 9277
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
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Healthy Women, Healthy Pregnancies, Healthy Futures: Action Plan to Improve Maternal Health in America
Action plan outlining steps the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is taking to reduce maternal mortality and address disparities that endanger women before, during, and following pregnancy. Four main goals include: improving prevention and treatment services to promote positive health outcomes for every woman of reproductive age; prioritizing quality improvement efforts to support healthy pregnancies and births; improving postpartum health; and enhancing data and research to inform future interventions. Includes data and statistics on maternal health and morbidity, and addresses rural considerations throughout.
Author(s): Dawn Alley, Andre Chappel, Nancy De Lew, et al.
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Infant Mortality in Rural and Nonrural Counties in the United States
Examines infant mortality at the county level and across the rural-urban continuum of the U.S. Utilizes infant death records from 2014 to 2016 to analyze infant mortality by rural-urban classification, county-level demographics, and individual-level demographics and healthcare characteristics.
Author(s): Deborah B. Ehrenthal, Hsiang-Hui Daphne Kuo, Russell S. Kirby
Citation: Pediatrics, 146(5)
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
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Synergistic Disparities and Public Health Mitigation of COVID-19 in the Rural United States
Describes how public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic emphasize racial, economic, and geographic disparities, especially among rural and poor populations. Covers public health mitigation measures, including disease surveillance, physical distancing, hand and respiratory hygiene, and public health communication. Discusses the ethical demands of public health practice during and following a public health emergency.
Author(s): Kata Chillag, Lisa Lee
Citation: Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 17(4), 649-656
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
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Rural Health Research Recap: Rural Ethnic/Racial Disparities: Social and Systemic Inequities
Highlights the racial and ethnic disparities related to the social determinants of health. Breaks down rates of poverty, broadband access, education, and insurance, among other measures, of Black, Hispanic, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Asian American and Pacific Islander populations in rural and urban areas.
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Research Gateway
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Rural Health Research Recap: Rural Ethnic/Racial Disparities: Adverse Health Outcomes
Explores racial and ethnic disparities in rural health outcomes. Breaks down rates of premature mortality and disability status of Black, Hispanic, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Asian American and Pacific Islander populations in rural and urban areas.
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Research Gateway
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