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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Environmental health

The Paradox of High Greenness and Poor Health in Rural Central Appalachia
Examines the environmental, socioeconomic, and psychological/behavioral factors that result in poor health in rural central Appalachia despite the availability of green areas. Includes discussion about the factors that attenuate or overwhelm potential health benefits of greenness for Appalachian citizens.
Author(s): Jiaying Dong, Matthew H E M Browning, Aaron Reuben, et al.
Citation: Environmental Research, 248, 118400
Date: 05/2024
Type: Document
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Seasonal Extreme Temperatures and Short-Term Fine Particulate Matter Increases Pediatric Respiratory Healthcare Encounters in a Sparsely Populated Region of the Intermountain Western United States
Analyzes the impact of short-term fine particulate matter (PM) and seasonal temperatures on children's health in rural, western Montana. Examines healthcare visits for asthma, lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI), and upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and examines the correlation between environmental changes and healthcare outcomes.
Author(s): Erin L. Landguth, Jonathon Knudson, Jon Graham, et al.
Citation: Environmental Health, 23, 40
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
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Communities Need Safe Drinking Water: A Rural Environmental Justice Case Study
Discusses access to clean drinking water in rural, underserved communities and Native nations, and presents case studies of communities working to improve environmental health equity. Features the Environmental Justice Community Action Network (EJCAN) of North Carolina, the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) of the Native Village of Hooper Bay, Alaska, and community leaders in Ivanhoe, North Carolina.
Author(s): Rebecca Huenink
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Aspen Institute
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IEUBK Modeling of Children's Blood Lead Levels in Homes Served by Private Domestic Wells in Three Illinois Counties
Examines the potential for elevated blood lead levels (BLL) due to consuming water from private wells in rural areas by utilizing Integrated Exposure Uptake Biokinetic (IEUBK) modeling. Analyzes the water lead levels (WLLs) in 151 homes located in Illinois and discusses water safety for rural children.
Author(s): Sarah Keeley, Samuel Dorevitch, Walton Kelly, David E. Jacobs, Sarah D. Geiger
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(3), 337
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
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Ohio Health Policy Brief: Connections Between Water Quality and Health
Examines water quality in Ohio, the health impacts of polluted water, and water policy to address potential harm. Provides data on harmful algal bloom, percent of households without complete plumbing facilities by county type, per capita H2Ohio funding for lead service line replacements by county type, and counties with drinking water violations. Includes discussion about environmental health disparities in disadvantaged populations, such as Appalachian and rural.
Author(s): Lexi Chirakos, Robin Blair-Ackison, Tonni Oberly, Jacob Santiago, Anna Sheeran
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Health Policy Institute of Ohio
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Building Funder Capacity to Work with Communities: A Rural Environmental Justice Case Study
Describes philanthropic and government investment models which facilitate equity, cooperation, environmental health, and community development through partnerships with rural communities and Native nations. Features the Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation in California as well as the EPA National Environmental Justice Advisory Council.
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Aspen Institute
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A New Path Forward: A Progress Report on the Implementation of the Equity Commission's Recommendations - Update 2024
Reports on efforts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to advance equity in accordance with Equity Commission recommendations. Discusses the department's commitment to equitable service delivery, and describes updates to programs affecting farmers and ranchers, farmworkers, tribal communities, nutrition assistance, immigrants, rural development, healthcare access, and more.
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture
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The Chickahominy T.R.U.T.H. (Trust, Research, Understand, Teach, and Heal) Project—A Tribal Community–Academic Partnership for Understanding the Impact of Structural Factors on Perceived Cancer Risk in Rural Virginia
Provides an overview of the Chickahominy T.R.U.T.H. Project, a community–academic partnership between the Virginia Chickahominy Indian Tribe and Virginia Commonwealth University. Designed to investigate perceived cancer risk in Charles City County, Virginia; assess cancer knowledge, care access gaps, and perceived risks; and develop culturally tailored cancer education and resource navigation. Based on data from 50 in-person interviews and water tests near an area with significantly elevated cancer incidence rates.
Additional links: Supplemental Materials
Author(s): Katherine Y. Tossas, Bianca D. Owens, Savannah Reitzel, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(3), 262
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
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NCHS Rapid Surveys System: Chemical Hair Products
Tables showing trends in chemical hair product use by adults within a 12 month period. Includes data breakdown of various demographics including age, race and ethnicity, urbanicity, and more. Data gathered by the National Center for Health Statistics in August 2023.
Date: 02/2024
Type: Chart/Graph
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Rural Economic Development Toolkit
A toolkit designed to assist rural stakeholders with improving their outdoor recreation economies. Focuses on population health, quality of life, resilient businesses and economies, and vibrant outdoor spaces. Includes information on economic development and best practices, networking and collaboration, funding, infrastructure needs, and addressing challenges.
Additional links: Webinar
Date: 01/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Outdoor Recreation Roundtable
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