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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities

Non-Urgent Use of Emergency Departments by Rural and Urban Adults
Examines differences in non-urgent use of emergency departments (EDs) in rural versus urban adults as well as factors associated with non-urgent ED use. Utilizes 2014-2017 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data to show percentage of adults who utilized ED services, with data broken down by age, mental and physical health status, income, health insurance and primary care access status, and rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Erika Ziller, Carly Milkowski, Zachariah Croll, Yvonne Jonk
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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Service and Resource Sharing Approaches – Focus on the Public Health Workforce
A recorded webinar that discusses how public health departments can maximize efficiency through service and resource sharing. Focuses on workforce challenges such as capacity, the healthcare pipeline, recruitment, and retention; diversity, equity, and inclusion training; public trust; and more. Includes examples from rural public health systems. Transcript available in tool bar.
Date: 04/2024
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Public Health Accreditation Board
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Quality in Motion: Acting on the CMS National Quality Strategy
Provides an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 2022 National Quality Strategy (NQS). Describes actions CMS has taken to meet the eight NQS goals across four priority areas: outcomes and alignment, equity and engagement, safety and resiliency, and interoperability and scientific achievement. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Indian Health Service Health Equity Report
Reports on efforts to advance health equity in the Indian Health Service (IHS). Discusses strategies and funding supporting access to facilities and services, quality of care, cultural appropriateness, wellness and disease prevention, and more.
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Indian Health Service
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Demographic Disparities in the Limited Awareness of Alcohol Use as a Breast Cancer Risk Factor: Empirical Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study of U.S. Women
Examines the general awareness of breast cancer risk with alcohol use according to sociodemographic variables. Surveys adult women regarding cancer risk awareness, with data broken down by age, income, education, health status, alcohol use, information sources, U.S. region, and rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Monica H. Swahn, Priscilla Martinez, Adelaide Balenger, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 24, 1076
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
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The Influence of Rurality on Melanoma Diagnosis in Indiana: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Compares demographics and disease characteristics of rural and urban patients diagnosed with melanoma in Indiana between January 2017 and September 2022. Discusses rural disparities in access and treatment.
Author(s): Gloria R. Xue, Marie Clark, Claudia Morr, James E. Slaven, Syril Keena T. Que
Citation: Cancer Reports, 7(4), e2072
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
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What Would Shifting To A Single-Dose HPV Vaccine Mean For Health And Access?
Discusses the potential impact of single-dose human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccines on health disparities for rural residents, lower socioeconomic status patients, men, and sexual and gender minorities. Discusses relief of cost barriers for health systems and vaccine shortages.
Author(s): Matthew Najarian, Amanda F. Petrik
Citation: Health Affairs Forefront
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
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Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: Rural Public Health and Healthcare
Webinar recording of a panel discussing rural public health topics including rural health disparities, mortality, COVID-19, Medicaid coverage, primary care, graduate medical education, and services for veterans. Transcript is available in the video description.
Date: 04/2024
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organizations: The RURAL Study, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
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Telehealth Use and Health Equity for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Updated Systematic Review
Systematic review investigating the impact of telehealth use on health equity for patients with mental health conditions and substance use disorders during COVID-19. Discusses findings in light of previous research. Includes rurality as a demographic group assessed.
Author(s): J. Priyanka Vakkalanka, Khyathi Gadag, Lauren Lavin, et al.
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Telehealth Research Center
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LGBTQ+ Health: Rural vs Urban Inequities
Provides a summary of recent research on rural versus urban disparities in LGBTQI+ health outcomes. Includes data on chronic conditions, mental health, and social and familial support.
Author(s): Jessica Rosencrans
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Research Gateway
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