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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Families

Supporting Fathers and Families in Rural Communities Recording
A recorded webinar that discusses the experiences of fathers in rural areas. Discusses issues of paternal engagement and well-being and how fathers and families in rural areas can be better supported. Transcript available below description.
Author(s): Tova Walsh, Kenneth Braswell, Geoffrey Brown, Maretta Darnell McDonald, Marcus Williams
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board
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Reaching Rural Families with Grab & Go: Ideas for Transforming Summer Meal Programs
A recorded webinar that discusses strategies to implement grab-and-go non-congregate meal service programs in rural areas. Includes recommendations on planning, staffing, distribution models, and lessons learned.
Additional links: Slide Deck
Author(s): Karla Boudreaux Horton, Avary Maunakea, Beth Miller, Robin Hernandez
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: No Kid Hungry
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Social Network Barriers to Extended-Release Naltrexone Within Rural Appalachia: Perspectives from Justice-Involved Clients and Clinicians
Presents a study on the role of family, friends, and clinicians can play in influencing naltrexone treatment uptake of people with opioid use disorder (POUD) who are incarcerated in Appalachia. Bases findings on interviews with clinicians and breaks down data by sociodemographic characteristics, substance use, and social network composition, among other measures.
Author(s): Amanda M. Bunting, Carrie B. Oser, Marisa Booty, et al.
Citation: Substance Use & Misuse, 60(5), 758-765
Date: 01/2025
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Key Findings from a 2024 Survey of Native American Caregivers: Experiences with Food Access and the Summer Meals Program
Examines food insecurity for families in tribal areas and the use of federal food programs. Analyzes data from the Family Spirit FOOD (Finding Opportunities and Options for Distribution of Nourishing Food for Tribal Communities) Survey to analyze use of congregate and rural non-congregate Summer Meals Programs.
Author(s): S. Vanegas, A. Harris, N. Neault, K. Nelson, A. Barlow
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Center for Indigenous Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, No Kid Hungry
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2025 North Carolina State Health Assessment: A Mid-Cycle Review of HNC 2030
Offers a comprehensive look at the health and well-being of North Carolinians and provides the mid-cycle review of Healthy North Carolina 2030 (HNC 2030). Evaluates progress on statewide health goals, identifies emerging trends, and assesses opportunities to strengthen conditions that influence health. Mentions rural throughout.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
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2025 Autism in Rural Georgia Conference
A playlist of recorded webinars focused on autism care in rural communities, supporting families and children with autism, feeding and nutrition, growth and development, Georgia's state autism plan, and more.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center
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2025 Missouri Poverty Report
Provides information on rural population health in Missouri, focusing on poverty, economic and family security, education, food and nutrition, health, housing and energy, and social connectedness. Includes rural versus urban as well as county-level data on health and social indicators.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Missouri Community Action Network
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Summer EBT in Indian Country: A Report on Tribal Success, Barriers, and Best Practices
Examines the implementation of the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) program in the Chickasaw and Cherokee Nations that are located in Oklahoma. Discusses the program's impact on food insecurity in Tribal communities and how to improve participation in the future.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organizations: Food Research & Action Center, Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative
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Factors Associated with Early Sexual Onset and Delaying Sex in Rural Middle School Youth
Examines results from a survey administered prior to a sexual health program aimed at rural middle school youth. Analyzes data from 6,799 students and the variables related to abstinence, sexual health knowledge, parental communication, intentions to abstain from sexual activity, and more. Discusses impacts of access to comprehensive and trauma-informed sex education.
Author(s): Teresa M. Imburgia, Devon J. Hensel, Abby Hunt, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 2025
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Balancing Act: Ensuring Access and Integrity in Rural Non-Congregate Summer Meal Programs
Presentation slides that offer experiences from non-congregate summer meal staff regarding strategies to maintain integrity in food services. Includes information about different food service program models around the country.
Author(s): Mariela Donis, Robin Hernandez, Sharon Muñoz, et al.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: No Kid Hungry
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