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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities

Advancing Equity in Challenging Times: A Qualitative Study of Telehealth Expansion And Changing Patient–Provider Relationships In Primary Care Settings During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Examines the expansion of telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic and potential access issues related to technical and workforce barriers. Analyzes interview data from primary healthcare providers to explore challenges such as reduced team-based care coordination, technological difficulties, loss of nonverbal communication, and equity issues for vulnerable groups, including those in rural areas.
Author(s): Monisa Aijaz, Valerie A Lewis, Genevra F Murray
Citation: Digital Health, 10
Date: 02/2024
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Disparities in Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis Based on Residence and Distance From Medical Facility
Evaluates associations between thyroid cancer stage at diagnosis, rural or urban status, and distance from treatment center among 800 current thyroid cancer patients in Nebraska. Includes demographic breakdowns and discussion of access-based treatment and outcome disparities.
Author(s): Sunita Regmi, Paraskevi A Farazi, Elizabeth Lyden, et al.
Citation: Journal of the Endocrine Society, 8(5), bvae033
Date: 02/2024
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The Báa nnilah Program: Results of a Chronic-Illness Self-Management Cluster Randomized Trial with the Apsáalooke Nation
Presents a study on the efficacy of a chronic illness self-management program for Apsáalooke tribe in Montana. Breaks down data by demographic information, such as education, income, and marital status, among other measures, and number and type of illnesses managed.
Author(s): Suzanne Held, Du Feng, Alma McCormick, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(3), 285
Date: 02/2024
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Factors Associated With Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Outcomes
Analyzes social determinants of health and demographic factors influencing racial and ethnic disparities in treatment response among rectal cancer patients. Provides data breakdowns of factors associated with patient outcomes, including treatment facilities' level of rurality. Highlights disparities experienced by Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black patients relative to non-Hispanic White patients.
Author(s): Rebecca M. Shulman, Mengying Deng, Elizabeth A. Handorf, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 7(2), e240044
Date: 02/2024
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Advancing Oral Health Equity in Texas: A Community-Driven Approach
Report offering priority areas for increasing oral health equity in Texas. Discusses oral healthcare access, workforce, and integrating oral and medical healthcare. Discusses rural throughout.
Date: 02/2024
Sponsoring organization: Texas Health Institute
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Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Incidence among Asian and Pacific Islander Populations in Guam, Hawai'i, and the United States
Presents a study on the rates of colorectal cancer among Native Hawaiian, Filipino, and CHamoru populations living in the mainland U.S., Hawaii, and Guam. Breaks down data by sex, location, and age. Details incidence over time from 2000 to 2019.
Author(s): JaeYong Choi, Grazyna Badowski 1 [OR , Yurii B. Shvetsov
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(2), 170
Date: 02/2024
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Rural–Urban Disparities and Trends in Utilization of Palliative Care Services among US Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer
Reports on palliative care use among patients with metastatic breast cancer, utilizing 2004-2019 National Cancer Database data. Includes breakdowns by level of rurality, race, ethnicity, and other demographic and clinical characteristics. Discusses palliative care access and treatment disparities, and identifies trends.
Author(s): Jincong Q. Freeman, Adam W. Scott, Ted O. Akhiwu
Citation: Journal of Rural Health
Date: 02/2024
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The Suicide Epidemic in Rural Minnesota: How We Got Here and How We Move Forward
Provides information on the yearly increase of suicides and deaths of despair in Minnesota, with data broken down by sex, region, and rurality. Discusses factors that impact suicide rates in rural areas, with a focus on tribal communities, farming, stigma, firearm access, and more.
Author(s): Marnie Werner, Tracie Rutherford Self
Date: 02/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Center for Rural Behavioral Health, Center for Rural Policy and Development
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Geographic Variation, Economic Activity, and Labor Market Characteristics in Trajectories of Suicide in the United States, 2008–2020
Presents a study exploring the associations between economic and labor activity and rurality with changes in suicide rates from 2008-2015. Creates county-level economic categories based on economy type and metropolitan status while breaking down the data by age and firearm involvement.
Author(s): Katherine M Keyes, Sasikiran Kandula, Gonzalo Martinez-Ales, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Epidemiology, 193(2), 256–266
Date: 02/2024
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Understanding Historically Marginalized & Minoritized Populations in the Forgotten Middle: Chart Pack & Case Studies
Chart pack and case studies from a project on current and future disparities in finances, housing, and health among middle-income older adults. Highlights barriers experienced by Black, Hispanic, and rural populations, including discussion of service availability, transportation, income, and other aspects of access to care.
Additional links: Project Overview
Author(s): Sarah Rayel, Dianne Munevar, Ryan Murphy, et al.
Date: 02/2024
Sponsoring organization: NORC at the University of Chicago
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