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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Employment and unemployment

COVID-19 Working Paper: Obesity Prevalence Among U.S. Adult Subpopulations During the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Explores obesity disparities among adults before the COVID-19 pandemic and during the first year of the pandemic. Uses data from the 2011-2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to estimate changes in obesity rates and compares rates across demographic and socioeconomic subgroups, including urban-rural status, Census region, age group, race and ethnicity, and more.
Author(s): Mariah D. Ehmke, Brandon J. Restrepo
Date: 07/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Using Coaching to Address Economic Stability for People with Low Incomes: The Design and Implementation of Four Employment Coaching Programs
Examines the use of employment coaching for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients. Utilizes 2018 and 2019 data to analyze 4 programs and their context, design, and implementation. Includes discussion of a coaching program that takes place in rural Iowa.
Author(s): Karen Gardiner, Sheena McConnell
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Children and Families
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Rural/Urban Differences in Access to Paid Sick Leave Among Full-Time Workers
Features a study on the accessibility of paid sick leave for full-time workers in rural and urban areas. Discusses the negative health outcomes of lacking paid sick leave. Highlights correlative factors, such as educational attainment, age, race, and chronic conditions, among others.
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Janette Dill, Arianne Baldomero, Katy Backes Kozhimannil
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 39(3), 676-685
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
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The Impacts of Extreme Weather Events on People with Disabilities
Reports on the impact of extreme weather on people with disabilities in the areas of regulations, healthcare, housing, employment, education, and emergency management. Discusses concerns and recommendations for both rural and tribal residents throughout.
Date: 05/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Council on Disability
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Workforce Development and Driver Shortages in Small Urban and Rural Transit
Examines the workforce development, succession plans, and turnover mitigation practices of transit agency managers. Analyzes survey data focused on driver shortfall issues and strategies to recruit and retain new drivers in small urban and rural transit. Includes data on employment and driver characteristics as well as rural versus urban comparisons of workforce shortages.
Author(s): Del Peterson, Antonio Molina
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute
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Unemployment Rates Have Recovered to Pre-pandemic Levels but Remain Higher in Persistently Poor Rural and Urban Counties
Line chart showing unemployment rates from July 2019 through December 2022 for rural persistent poverty counties, urban persistent poverty counties, other rural counties, and other urban counties.
Date: 03/2023
Type: Chart/Graph
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Rural-Urban Differences in Workers' Access to Paid Sick Leave
Compares paid sick leave access among rural and urban workers using 2014-2017 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data. Includes data on demographic characteristics associated with limited access to paid sick leave in rural and urban settings, including race and ethnicity, type of employment, and more.
Author(s): Erika C. Ziller, Carly M. Milkowski, Zachariah Croll, Yvonne C.M. Jonk
Citation: Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 31(1), 335-344
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
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Understanding Disabilities in American Indian & Alaska Native Communities Toolkit Guide
Provides an overview of federal laws, initiatives, agencies, and organizations that support work with American Indian and Alaska Native communities and individuals with disabilities. Includes dedicated sections with links to organizations and resources on healthy living, education, independent living, vocational rehabilitation and employment resources, assistive technology, housing and facilities, and transportation.
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: National Council on Aging, National Council on Disability
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Race and Ethnicity of Rural Labor Force Vary by Industry
Bar chart showing employment share by race/ethnicity in the 6 largest rural industries in 2019: agriculture, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, accommodation/food services, and government. Includes data for Black, American Indian, Asian, and Hispanic workers.
Date: 02/2023
Type: Chart/Graph
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Rural Job Growth Has Shifted Toward High-skill Workers Since 2001
Line chart showing nonmetro employment in the highest growth industries from 2001 through 2020. Includes job growth information for healthcare and social assistance.
Date: 01/2023
Type: Chart/Graph
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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