Conducting Rural Health Research, Needs Assessments, and Program Evaluations – Resources

Dynamics of Race: Joining, Leaving, and Staying in the American Indian/Alaska Native Race Category between 2000 and 2010
Examines survey response changes for racial reporting among American Indian and Alaska Natives, based on data from the 2000 and 2010 censuses and the 2006-2010 American Community Survey. Looks at characteristics of those who consistently identified as AI/AN, those who joined that category, and those who left it.
Author(s): Carolyn A. Liebler, Renuka Bhaskar, Sonya Rastogi
Date: 08/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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Understanding Geographic Relationships: American Indian Areas
Explains the relationships that exist between different types of American Indian Areas that are used by the U.S. Census Bureau. Includes a chart showing the relationships among these legal and statistical boundaries and how they relate to the standard geographic units of states and census blocks.
Author(s): Katy Rossiter
Date: 08/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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Building Partnerships in Community-Based Participatory Research: Budgetary and Other Cost Considerations
Explores costs and budget considerations when implementing a community-based participatory research (CBPR) framework to work with communities to reduce health disparities. Analysis can inform budget discussions and assist with planning CBPR project timelines. Table 1 details budget concerns for CBPR project staff and Table 2 lists opportunity costs associated with community partners for a CBPR project.
Author(s): Theresa J. Hoeft, Wylie Burke, Scarlett E. Hopkins, et al.
Citation: Health Promotion Practice, 15(2), 263-270
Date: 03/2014
Type: Document
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The State of Health Equity Research: Closing Knowledge Gaps to Address Inequities
Reports results of an analysis of health disparities research funded between 2007 and 2011. Finds that certain populations which experience disparities, including rural and Native American populations, are underrepresented in the research. Reports on the health conditions most studied and geographic distribution of studies. Describes a trend to more research on solutions rather than just description of health disparities.
Author(s): AAMC Health Equity Research and Policy Staff
Date: 2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: AcademyHealth
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The Utility of Rural and Underserved Designations in Geospatial Assessments of Distance Traveled to Healthcare Services: Implications for Public Health Research and Practice
Reviews different definitions and designations of rurality in relation to resident characteristics in a sample of 8 central Texas counties. Discusses the impact that rural definitions can have on research findings and health policy.
Author(s): Matthew Lee Smith, Justin B. Dickerson, Monica L. Wendel, et al.
Citation: Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2013, 960157
Date: 06/2013
Type: Document
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Community Outreach and Engagement to Prepare for Household Recruitment of National Children's Study Participants in a Rural Setting
Discusses the participant recruitment process used in a rural, 4-county Northern Plains area for a longitudinal national children's health study. Identifies successful strategies used in both rural and tribal communities to engage women to participate in the study.
Author(s): Nancy L. Fahrenwald, Betty Wey, Ann Martin, Bonny L. Specker
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 29(1), 61-68
Date: 01/2013
Type: Document
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Best Practices in American Indian & Alaska Native Public Health
Provides an overview of tribal epidemiology centers (TECs), focusing on their impact on the availability and quality of public health surveillance data for American Indians and Alaskan Natives. Discusses challenges with collecting data for this population and strategies TECs are using to address these issues. Offers examples of best practices from tribal epidemiology centers on various health topics, including cancer, mental health, tobacco use, and more.
Date: 2013
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Tribal Epidemiology Centers
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Comparison of Enrollment Rates of African-American Families Into a School-Based Tobacco Prevention Trial Using Two Recruitment Strategies in Urban and Rural Settings
Describes results from using two recruitment approaches targeting rural and urban African-American elementary school families in the South for enrollment in a tobacco prevention program. The intervention used the Facilitate, Open and transparent communication, Shared benefits, Team and tailored, Educate bilaterally, and Relationships, realistic and rewards (FOSTER) approach, which is based on community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles.
Author(s): Martha S. Tingen, Jeannette O. Andrews, Janie Heath, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Health Promotion, 27(4), e91–e100
Date: 2013
Type: Document
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Community Health Needs Assessment Toolkit
Designed to help rural hospitals conduct a community health needs assessment, which is a requirement for all 501(c)(3) hospitals.
Author(s): Gerald A. Doeksen, Cheryl F. St. Clair
Date: 05/2012
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: National Center for Rural Health Works, Oklahoma Office of Rural Health
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Best Practices for Community Health Needs Assessment and Implementation Strategy Development: A Review of Scientific Methods, Current Practices, and Future Potential
Discusses how public health and non-profit hospitals can work together to assess community health and plan for improvement. Addresses reasons rural hospitals and public health can benefit from working together. Based on a July 2011 public forum convened by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Author(s): Kevin Barnett
Date: 02/2012
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Public Health Institute
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