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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities

The Health and Economic Concerns of Rural Americans
Presentation features a discussion on the role social and economic disparities play in the health of people in rural communities. Highlights the effect the opioid crisis has had in rural areas and discusses ways communities can use local resources to combat opioid abuse. Transcript available in the video description.
Date: 11/2018
Sponsoring organization: The Forum, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
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Evidence Review — Social Determinants of Health for Veterans
Reports findings from a literature review of studies focused on social determinants of health for veterans. Summarizes study characteristics, social determinants addressed, and whether health behaviors, health services utilization, and health outcomes were examined. Includes an analysis of the studies that looked at effects of rurality, trauma, and sexual orientation.
Author(s): Wei Duan-Porter, Brian C. Martinson, Nancy Greer, et al.
Citation: Journal of General Internal Medicine, 33(10), 1785-1795
Date: 10/2018
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Resilient Rural America: Alabama: Perry County
Series of articles about various facets of life in Perry County, a rural community characterized both by extreme poverty and generations of strong families who have weathered adversity. Includes discussion of health disparities and the need for additional healthcare services and resources for people fleeing domestic violence. Part of the Resilient Rural America series.
Author(s): Blake Tommey
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organization: Baptist News Global
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Supporting Family Physician Maternity Care Providers
Summarizes strategies, provides suggestions, and examines the role family physicians play in providing maternity care to the underserved. Also presents ideas for training and retaining family physician maternity care providers in rural areas.
Author(s): Jessica Taylor Goldstein, Scott G. Hartman, Matthew R. Meunier, et al.
Citation: Family Medicine, 50(9), 662-671
Date: 10/2018
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Ensuring Access to Quality Health Care in Vulnerable Communities
Highlights the health characteristics and conditions of vulnerable populations in rural and urban communities, and the essential healthcare services as identified by the American Hospital Association Task Force on Ensuring Access in Vulnerable Communities. Discusses several strategies recommended by the task force to address social determinants of health, enhance virtual care services to reform healthcare delivery and payment methods, and support hospitals in their efforts to provide the needed health services.
Author(s): Jay Bhatt, Priya Bathija
Citation: Academic Medicine, 93(9), 1271-1275
Date: 09/2018
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Trends in Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Cesarean Delivery Rates on the U.S.-Mexico Border, 2000-2015
Reports on a study comparing cesarean delivery rates before and after 2009 for Hispanic and non-Hispanic white populations living in border and non-border counties of the four U.S.-Mexico border states. Study data was derived from the National Vital Statistics System U.S. Standard Certificate of Live Birth files, 2000 to 2015.
Author(s): Jill A. McDonald, Anup Amatya, Charlotte C. Gard, Jesus Sigala
Citation: PLoS One, 13(9)
Date: 09/2018
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Hepatitis C Within a Single Health System: Progression Along the Cascade to Cure Is Higher for Those With Substance Misuse When Linked to a Clinic With Embedded Support Services
Recognizes the barriers to treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) by identifying patient and HCV clinic characteristics associated with the achievement of sustained virologic response (SVR) in a large medical center serving a rural population. Characteristics documented included proximity to the health center, household income and assets, availability of private insurance, medical comorbidities, and patients with recorded substance misuse. Suggests models for expanding access to treatment in rural areas through increased prescribing by primary care providers and through telehealth.
Author(s): J. E. Sherbuk, K. A. McManus, E. T. Rogawski McQuade, et al.
Citation: Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 5(9)
Date: 09/2018
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Diabetes and Associated Cardiovascular Complications in American Indians/Alaskan Natives: A Review of Risks and Prevention Strategies
Summarizes the findings on the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and DM-related cardiovascular disease (CVD) complications among American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) populations. Identifies the risk factors, and the genetic factors that influence the pervasiveness of DM and CVD within the AI/ANs. Recognizes existing health disparities among AI/ANs, and discusses the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) with DM Prevention.
Author(s): Anil Poudel, Joseph Yi Zhou, Darren Story, Lixin Li
Citation: Journal of Diabetes Research, 2018
Date: 09/2018
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Better Data and Better Outcomes: Reducing Maternal Mortality in the U.S.
Provides the House Subcommittee on Health hearing recording and related documents on preventing maternal deaths. Addresses disparities in rural maternal mortality. Features testimonies from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the National Birth Equity Collaborative, March of Dimes, and more.
Additional links: Joia Crear Perry Testimony, Stacey Stewart Testimony
Date: 09/2018
Sponsoring organization: House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Health
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The Amish Have Decreased Asthma and Allergic Diseases Compared to Old Order Mennonites
Compares allergic disease prevalence among Wisconsin Amish to prevalence among Old Order Mennonites. Discusses the potential role of farm environmental factors in protecting against allergic diseases. Includes statistics and data on self- and doctor-reported prevalence of eczema, asthma, food allergies, or hay fever.
Author(s): Jamee C Tantoco, Jordan Elliott Bontrager, Qianqian Zhao, James DeLine, Christine M Seroogy
Citation: Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 121(2), 252–253.e1
Date: 08/2018
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