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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities

The American Opioid Epidemic in Special Populations: Five Examples
Report on the disproportionate impacts of the opioid crisis on populations, in the criminal justice system, rural residents, veterans, young adults, and individuals who inject drugs. Offers statistical data for each group and discussion of opioid use disorder and mortality, barriers to treatment, promising strategies to address treatment issues, and research and policy priorities. Section on rural populations offers data on drug overdose deaths, rates of opioid prescription, and the association between economic distress and opioid-involved deaths.
Author(s): Carlos Blanco, Mir M. Ali, Aaron Beswick, et al.
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Academy of Medicine
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Association Between Social Vulnerability and a County's Risk for Becoming a COVID-19 Hotspot — United States, June 1–July 25, 2020
Examines associations between social vulnerability and COVID-19 hotspot locations, based on June 1–July 25, 2020 county-level COVID-19 cases and data from the 2018 CDC social vulnerability index. Includes data by level of urbanicity for large metropolitan, small/medium metro, and nonmetro counties. Looks at both social vulnerability overall and specific components, such as percent of residents who speak English less than well and housing and transportation vulnerability.
Author(s): Sharoda Dasgupta, Virginia B. Bowen, Andrew Leidner, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(42), 1535-1541
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Framework for a Community Health Observing System for the Gulf of Mexico Region: Preparing for Future Disasters
Outlines a system for monitoring community health during potential disasters in the Gulf of Mexico region. Details the a framework for collecting and organizing data, and discusses considerations in assessing the disparities between rural and urban areas.
Author(s): Paul Sandifer, Landon Knapp, Maureen Lichtveld, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 8, 578463
Date: 10/2020
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American Indian Addendum for the Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Primary Care Practices
Highlights suicide prevention guidance for primary care providers in tribal communities. Accompanies the Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Primary Care Practices and provides information specific to American Indian and Alaska Native populations. Includes risk assessment and intervention information on suicide prevention strategies in tribal settings.
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organizations: Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
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NRHA Policy Paper: Rural Obesity
Policy position paper examining rural-urban differences in obesity prevalence, obesity as a factor in health disparities, differences in weight-related behaviors, and social determinants of health influencing rural obesity. Offers strategies and policy recommendations to address rural obesity.
Author(s): Demetrius Abshire, Cassity Gutierrez
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Overview of Rural Child Health
Policy position paper presenting an overview rural child health and factors influencing health disparities in rural children. Highlights disparities in mortality, physical health, preventive health, and oral health. Includes policy recommendations to address these disparities.
Author(s): Peiyin Hung, Matthew Workman, Kim Mohan
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Health Equity, Indigenous Populations, History, Culture, Policy and Science with Donald Warne
Video recording of an interview with Dr. Donald Warne discusses health disparities in Indian Country historically and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights the need for more Native American providers and how healthcare policy affects the health outcomes of American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Reede Scholars
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How Growing Geographic and Racial Disparities Inhibit the Ability to Live Longer and Healthier Lives
Provides a national-level overview of geographic disparities in life expectancy at mid-adulthood, as well as changes to life expectancy between 1980 and 2014. Discusses rural differences in life expectancy. Presents nine strategies to address the geographic disparities.
Author(s): Erwin J. Tan
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: AARP
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Community and Research Perspectives on Cancer Disparities in Wisconsin
Assesses cancer disparities in Wisconsin and discusses opportunities to address disparities through research and community partnerships. Includes county-level data on female breast and lung cancer mortality rates from 2008-2013 and 2012-2016 as well as cancer incidence rates from 2012-2016.
Author(s): Jessica Olson, Tobi Cawthra, Kirsten Beyer, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 17
Date: 10/2020
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Rural/Urban Differences in Children's Health
Examines differences in child health conditions by rural and urban residency. Explores differences in mental and behavioral health, weight status and physical activity, adverse childhood experiences, and access to healthcare.
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Maternal and Child Health Bureau
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