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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities

Disparities in Life Expectancy of Pacific Northwest American Indians and Alaska Natives: Analysis of Linkage-Corrected Life Tables
Discusses a project in which patient record linkage was used to correct misclassification on death certificates issued in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington during 2008-2010, which had resulted in inflation of life expectancy estimates and underreporting of morbidity and mortality measures for American Indians and Alaska Natives living in the Pacific Northwest. Includes statistics with breakdowns including age, sex, state, mortality rates, and rates of death certificate misclassification.
Author(s): Jenine Dankovchik, Megan J. Hoopes, Victoria Warren-Mears, Elizabeth Knaster
Citation: Public Health Reports, 130(1), 71-80
Date: 2015
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Rural Healthy People 2020: A Companion Document to Healthy People 2020, Volume 2
Provides a rural focus for the Healthy People 2020 priorities with an overview for each of the top health priorities ranked 11 through 20 identified by rural stakeholders. (Volume 1 discussed the top 10 priorities.) Topics include: cancer, health education, oral health, immunizations and infectious disease, public health, sexual health and family planning, injury and violence prevention, and social determinants of health. Includes reviews of the relevant literature and model programs appropriate for rural communities. Document is available for free download, after providing brief information about intended use.
Author(s): Jane N. Bolin, Gail Bellamy, Alva O. Ferdinand, Bita Kash, Janet W. Helduser
Date: 2015
Sponsoring organization: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
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Behavioral Health Equity Barometer: United States, 2014
Reports on differences in prevalence of behavioral health disorders, perceptions of risk, and access to treatment for different populations. Includes information for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan residents, as well as by race/ethnicity, income level, and health insurance status.
Date: 2015
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Neighborhood Socioeconomic Disadvantage and 30 Day Rehospitalizations: An Analysis of Medicare Data
Examines the association between neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage and 30-day rehospitalizations for patients discharged with congestive heart failure, pneumonia, or acute myocardial infarction. Includes data by location of patient residence for small town/rural, large town, suburban, and urban core areas.
Author(s): Amy J.H. Kind, Steve Jencks, Jane Brock, et al.
Citation: Annals of Internal Medicine, 161(11), 765-774
Date: 12/2014
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Cancer Disparities Among Alaska Native People, 1970-2011
Examines cancer incidence and mortality data for Alaska Native (AN) people in different categories and varying year ranges from 1970 through 2011, and compares cancer rates for AN and U.S. White populations. Shows that cancer mortality rates among AN people exceeded rates among White people for all cancers combined, for cancers of the lung, stomach, pancreas, kidney, and cervix, and for colorectal cancer.
Author(s): Janet J. Kelly, Anne P. Lanier, Teresa Schade, Jennifer Brantley, B. Michael Starkey
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 11
Date: 12/2014
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The Role of Medicare and the Indian Health Service for American Indians and Alaska Natives: Health, Access and Coverage
Examines the health, healthcare access, income, and education disparities that exist within the Native American and Alaskan Native population, as well as the roles of Medicare and the Indian Health Service (IHS) in addressing these disparities.
Author(s): Cristina Boccuti, Christina Swoope, Samantha Artiga
Date: 12/2014
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Opioid Prescribing Patterns for Non-Malignant Chronic Pain for Rural Versus Non-Rural U.S. Adults: A Population-Based Study Using 2010 NAMCS Data
Results of a survey comparing prescribing patterns of opioid drugs for non-malignant chronic pain management to determine whether rurality was a factor in over-prescribing opioids.
Author(s): Jacob P. Prunuske, Catherine A. St. Hill, Keri D. Hager, et al.
Citation: BMC Health Services Research, 14, 563
Date: 11/2014
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Disparities in Obesity Among Rural and Urban Residents in a Health Disparate Region
Reports on a community-based study to measure and compare the current levels of obesity and associated lifestyle behaviors of physical activity and diets of fruits and vegetables among rural and urban residents in south central Virginia and north central North Carolina.
Author(s): Jennie L Hill, Wen You, Jamie M Zoellner
Citation: BMC Public Health, 2014(14), 1051
Date: 10/2014
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The 2014 Update of the Rural-Urban Chartbook
Updates information presented in Health, United States, 2001: With Urban and Rural Health Chartbook. Highlights current trends and disparities across different levels of metro and nonmetropolitan counties, including population characteristics; health-related behaviors and risk factors; mortality rates; healthcare access and use; mental health measures; and other health measures such as teen birth rates, tooth loss, and activity limitations due to chronic disease. Individual data tables are available in an Excel file.
Author(s): Michael Meit, Alana Knudson, Tess Gilbert, et al.
Date: 10/2014
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Reform Policy Research Center
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Healthcare Use and Prescription of Opioids in Rural Residents with Pain
Researches the factors affecting healthcare use and prescription of opioids in low-income individuals living in rural areas. Examines the relationship between rural residency, low socioeconomic status, and self-reported pain levels, along with the disparities caused by greater need and limited access. Findings are based on information collected from 64 rural, low-income individuals with chronic pain receiving treatment at Federally Qualified Health Centers.
Author(s): Shweta Kapoor, Beverly E. Thorn
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 14(3), 2879
Date: 09/2014
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