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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health conditions

Uranium Exposure, Hypertension, and Blood Pressure in the Strong Heart Family Study
Examines the correlation between uranium exposure and health conditions such as hypertension and blood pressure changes in rural, tribal communities. Analyzes health status and uranium levels of 1,453 participants in the Strong Heart Family Study. Discusses rock and soil health, groundwater, and surface water contamination as factors in uranium exposure.
Author(s): Kevin P. Patterson, Abigail Onderwyzer Gold, Miranda J. Spratlen, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 04/2025
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Initiating Research in Indian Country: Lessons From the Strong Heart Study
Discusses the process of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) initiating studies to examine cardiovascular disease in rural and remote areas, isolated populations, and sovereign nations. Discusses the steps in conducting research with a focus on building trust, transparent implementation, and mutual feedback and results sharing.
Author(s): Barbara V. Howard, Elisa T. Lee, Thomas K. Welty, Richard R. Fabsitz
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 04/2025
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Are HHC Scores a Reliable Health Status Indicator Across Rural and Urban Areas?
Examines differences in Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Hierarchical Condition Category (HCC) risk scores between rural and urban Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) beneficiaries and analyzes which factors drive observed differences. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban, large rural, small rural, and isolated rural areas for 4 chronic conditions in 2019-2020.
Author(s): Craig D. Holden, Alana Knudson, Marilyn Klug, Samantha Augenbraun, Shena Popat
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: ETSU/NORC Rural Health Research Center
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Overview of Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes in 2023
Research note providing data on all police-reported traffic crashes including fatalities and people injured from the 2023 Fatality Analysis Reporting System Annual Report File and the 2023 Crash Report Sampling System, along with data in prior years. Features statistics on fatalities from 2014-2023 with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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Vitamin D Deficiency and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Among American Indian Adolescents: The Strong Heart Family Study
Examines Vitamin D deficiency in adolescents from 12 tribal communities and the correlation with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Utilizes data from sovereign tribal nations located in multiple U.S. states and provides breakdowns on adolescents' demographic profiles, health status, and Vitamin D deficiency status.
Author(s): Jessica A. Reese, Erin Davis, Amanda M. Fretts, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 04/2025
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Rural-Urban Disparities in Cervical Cancer Incidence and Mortality Among US Women
Research letter examining cervical cancer incidence and mortality among rural and urban women, utilizing 2001-2019 NPCR-SEER data. Includes additional data breakdowns by race and ethnicity.
Author(s): Trisha L. Amboree, Haluk Damgacioglu, Elizabeth Y. Chiao, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(3), e2462634
Date: 03/2025
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Dermal Exposure to Agrochemicals as Risk Factor for Skin Cancer in Farmers and Ranchers in the US Central States
Investigates 2018 and 2020 surveillance data to understand the association between various chemical and animal-based allergen exposures and skin cancer prevalence for 5,962 farmworkers in 7 states.
Author(s): Sarah Tucker, Yi Du, Rishad Ahmed, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 68(3), 286-294
Date: 03/2025
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Vaccine-Preventable Conditions: Disparities in Hospitalizations Affecting Rural Communities in the Southeast United States
Examines hospitalizations related to vaccine-preventable diseases in southeastern U.S. communities. Analyzes data prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and during the pandemic across 3 age groups: pre-school children, school-aged children, and adults. Provides data breakdowns according to condition, age, and large metro, small/medium metro, or micro/non-core location.
Author(s): Etienne Pracht, Christina Eldredge, Divyani Tangudu, Richa Phuel, Athanasios Tsalatsanis
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(4), 466
Date: 03/2025
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Women's Experiences with Preventive and Health Care Services: Findings from the 2024 KFF Women's Health Survey
Provides information on utilization of women's healthcare services with 2024 KFF survey data. Focuses on healthcare status, healthcare access, preventative health services, and more, with breakdowns by demographic variables, including urbanicity for select findings.
Author(s): Ivette Gomez, Brittni Frederiksen, Alina Salganicoff
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Ready or Not 2025: Protecting the Public's Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism
Report explores the readiness of state public health systems to respond to emergencies, such as diseases, disasters, and bioterrorism. Focuses on measures such as hospital safety scores, vaccination rates, and water system maintenance, among others. Includes rural considerations throughout.
Author(s): Matt McKillop, Rhea K. Farberman, Dara Alpert Lieberman
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: Trust for America's Health
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