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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Environmental health

Health Needs Assessment of Five Pennsylvania Plain Populations
Offers the results of a health needs assessment for 5 Anabaptist Pennsylvania Plain communities compared with the general state population. Discusses prevalence of genetic diseases and mental health conditions, screenings and vaccinations, and general health outcomes. Provides data on demographics, nutrition, environmental health, and health conditions taken from household surveys conducted in 2014 and 2015 which were designed to represent Plain community views of modern medicine.
Author(s): Kirk Miller, Berwood Yost, Christina Abbott, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(13), 2378
Date: 07/2019
Type: Document
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Running Clear: Preventing Private Water Sources from Becoming a Health Hazard in Rural America
Provides an overview of the potential contaminants in well water and describes how the safety of private water sources is maintained. Features water experts and a public health professional explaining what can be done to keep well water clean, including water testing, education and training, funding, and technical assistance.
Author(s): Jenn Lukens
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 06/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Life and Breath: How Air Pollution Affects Health in Minnesota
Provides a report and data on the health impacts of pollution in Minnesota. Discusses sources of air pollution; health impacts attributable to pollution; and differences in impacts by rural/urban location, poverty rate, health insurance coverage, and race/ethnicity. Includes maps with county-level data on air pollution health-related events.
Additional links: Full Report, Mapping the Data
Author(s): David Bael, Kathy Raleigh
Date: 06/2019
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health
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Resource Guide: Promising Programs in Native American Communities
Highlights promising programs for tribal communities in Montana. Features programs to support mental health and suicide prevention, substance abuse, social determinants of health, and diabetes prevention, among other issues.
Date: 05/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Montana Healthcare Foundation
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LIFT America: Modernizing Our Infrastructure for the Future
Recording of a hearing from the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce regarding the Leading Infrastructure For Tomorrow's America Act (The LIFT America Act), which addresses access to broadband; the healthcare, energy, transportation, and water infrastructures; public health; and more. Includes testimonies from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Trust for America's Health, U.S. Conference of Mayors, American Enterprise Institute, BlueGreen Alliance, and the former Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner.
Additional links: Christopher Guith Testimony, Daniel Lyons Testimony, Jessica Eckdish Testimony, John Auerbach Testimony, Mignon Clyburn Testimony
Date: 05/2019
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: House Committee on Energy and Commerce
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Rural Residence and Poverty Are Independent Risk Factors for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the United States
Uses data from the National Health Interview Survey 2012–2015 to determine whether urban–rural status, poverty, and other individual- or community-level factors are associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) prevalence in the United States. Compares COPD predictors among current or past smokers and individuals who have never smoked.
Author(s): Sarath Raju, Corinne A. Keet, Laura M. Paulin, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 199(8), 961-969
Date: 04/2019
Type: Document
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The Impacts of Climate Change on Tribal Communities
Hearing from the Subcommittee for Indigenous People of the U.S. regarding how climate change is affecting tribal communities. Includes testimony from Tohono O'odham Nation in Arizona, Quinault Indian Nation in Washington, Calista Corporation in Alaska, and The Building Resilient Communities for Climate Extremes (BRACE Institute), which helps relocate tribal communities in low-lying coastal regions. Addresses the impacts on tribal water quality and availability; traditional food availability; disasters such as wildfires and flooding; and more.
Date: 02/2019
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Subcommittee for Indigenous People of the United States
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Fruit and Vegetable Preferences and Practices may Hinder Participation in Community Supported Agriculture among Low-Income Rural Families
Presents a study on the effect food preferences have on rates of participation in community agriculture programs for low-income families in rural areas. Bases results on interviews with families regarding fruit and vegetable preferences.
Author(s): Karla L. Hanson, Jennifer Garner, Leah M. Connor, et al.
Citation: Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 51(1), 57-67
Date: 01/2019
Type: Document
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Climate Change & Tribes: Exploring Current Impacts and Future Predictions for America's First People
Report highlights the current and potential impact of climate change on American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Looks at potential consequences of climate change pertaining to health and food access, as well as strategies for tribal communities to adapt to these changes.
Date: 01/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Indian Health Board
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Superfund: EPA Should Improve the Reliability of Data on National Priorities List Sites Affecting Indian Tribes
Examines the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) list of seriously contaminated sites for those having a health or cultural impact on Native American tribes, actions taken by the EPA to address tribal needs when cleaning up these sites, and EPA records on the sites and their consultation with tribes. Provides recommendations for the EPA. Appendices include a list of identified sites and 6 case studies.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 01/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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