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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities

Addressing Health and Health Care Needs in the United States-Mexico Border Region
Policy position brief describing geography and demographics of the border region, population health and healthcare issues, factors contributing to the health crisis, public policy implications, and suggestions for addressing needs. Comprises Executive Summary and Full Report.
Author(s): Brian Lady, Carrie Henning-Smith, Susan Kunz
Date: 05/2018
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Rural Health Care in America: Challenges and Opportunities
Presents the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance full committee hearing on improving rural healthcare across the country. Addresses access to emergency services, rural hospital financial challenges and closures, Accountable Care Organizations, and regulatory and workforce challenges. Features testimonies from representatives of the NC Rural Health Research Program Sheps Center for Health Services Research, the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis, San Luis Valley Health, UnityPoint Health, and Geisinger Health.
Additional links: Statement by James E. Mathews, Statement by Orrin G. Hatch, Statement by Ron Wyden, Testimony by George H. Pink, Testimony by Karen M. Murphy, Testimony by Keith J. Mueller, Testimony by Konnie Martin, Testimony by Susan K. Thompson
Date: 05/2018
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Finance
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America's Health Rankings Senior Report 2018
Provides a national and state-by-state overview of population health for older adults across 34 measures, as well as two supplemental measures new in 2018: suicide rate and risk of social isolation. Includes a special focus on persistent health differences and challenges facing rural seniors.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 05/2018
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
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Feasibility Test of a Community-Relevant Intervention Designed to Promote African American Participation in Translational, Breast Cancer Disparities Research: Know about Health Options for Women (Know HOW)
Explores two strategies for increasing breast cancer research participation among African American women: a comprehensive and focused outreach program with different levels and methods of engagement and information dissemination. Describes a study of the programs in the rural Lower Mississippi River Delta region of Arkansas, including different rates of participation for each outreach program. Discusses the importance of new research methods.
Author(s): Karen H. Kim Yeary, Page Moore, Jerome Turner, et al.
Citation: Journal of Cancer Education, 33, 29-36
Date: 04/2018
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Disparities in Cancer Survival and Incidence by Metropolitan Versus Rural Residence in Utah
Examines differences in cancer incidence and 5-year cancer survival rates by metro and nonmetro Utah counties. Includes analysis describing disparities in cancer risk factors. Table 1 provides statistics on cancer patients living in rural and urban areas by race, treatment, age at diagnosis, stage, and insurance status. Table 3 compares 5-year cancer survival rates for metro and nonmetro counties.
Author(s): Mia Hashibe, Anne C. Kirchhoff, Deanna Kepka, et al.
Citation: Cancer Medicine, 7(4), 1490-1497
Date: 04/2018
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A Social–Contextual Investigation of Smoking among Rural Women: Multi-level Factors Associated with Smoking Status and Considerations for Cessation
Presents a study of the personal characteristics of women who use tobacco in the Appalachian region of Ohio. Breaks down data by education, marital status, household income, and employment, among other measures.
Author(s): Julianna M Nemeth, Tiffany L Thomson, Bo Lu, et al.
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 18(1)
Date: 04/2018
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Research Pays Off - Wyoming Intercity Bus Service Study: Finding and Filling the Gaps in Rural Areas
Report details the connectivity of the intercity bus (ICB) service in Wyoming. Discusses the ICB's ability to reach rural areas and the proposed changes to improve connectivity across the state.
Author(s): David Kack
Date: 04/2018
Sponsoring organization: Montana State University Western Transportation Institute
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Veterans Health Administration: Opportunities Exist for Improving Veterans' Access to Health Care Services in the Pacific Islands
Details opportunities for veterans to access healthcare in the Pacific Islands. Discusses barriers to care, such as long travel distances, and the use of telehealth and the Choice Program as methods of improving access.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 04/2018
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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2018 County Health Rankings Key Findings Report
Provides information on county-level health disparities by analyzing health factors and outcomes throughout the U.S. Covers low birthweight, residential segregation, child poverty, teen births, and more. Includes key findings and steps communities can take to improve health outcomes.
Date: 03/2018
Sponsoring organization: County Health Rankings & Roadmaps
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The Rural Inpatient Mortality Study: Does Urban-Rural County Classification Predict Hospital Mortality in California?
Highlights a study on the correlation between rural hospitals and higher rates of hospital mortality in California. Breaks down data by Critical Access Hospital (CAH) classification and NCHS rurality-based class.
Author(s): Daniel T Linnen, John Kornak, Caroline Stephens
Citation: The Permanente Journal, 22, 17-078
Date: 03/2018
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