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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities

The Urgent Need for Firearm Suicide Prevention Research in the Rural US
Highlights a study on rural firearm suicide. Discusses the role of firearms in suicide mortality and breaks down suicide data in the U.S. and West Virginia by rurality and method.
Author(s): Eric W Lundstrom, Jacob K Pence, Gordon S Smith
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 23, 8267
Date: 08/2023
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Where You Live Matters: Maternity Care Deserts and the Crisis of Access and Equity
Provides interactive state-by-state data on maternity care deserts in the U.S. Focuses on access, distance to maternity care, availability of family planning services, disparities in prenatal care, chronic health conditions and preterm birth, policy solutions, and more. Includes county-level maps of data as well as accompanying state summaries, infographics, and downloadable reports.
Date: 08/2023
Sponsoring organization: March of Dimes
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Disparities in Melanoma Outcomes In Urban Versus Rural Settings: An Analysis from the Nebraska Cancer Registry 2001-2016
A research letter that analyzes health disparities related to melanoma outcomes in rural versus urban populations. Examines 9,688 individuals with melanoma between 2001 and 2016 utilizing the Nebraska Cancer Registry to observe the mortality rate of patients when considering rurality, race, sex, age, and stage/site of the cancer.
Author(s): Elizabeth M. Mata, Natalia Trinidad, Elliot Blue, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 89(2), 350-352
Date: 08/2023
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Improving the Social Determinants of Health in Rural America Through Medicaid Section 1115 Waivers
Policy brief discussing how Medicaid Section 1115 waivers can allow states to modify the social determinants of health in rural areas through pilot programs, delivery system reform, or enhanced benefit packages. Highlights existing Section 1115 waiver programs and recently approved and renewed waivers, as well as challenges related to improving health-related social needs and access to services in rural areas. Offers policy recommendations to improve health equity in rural areas through Medicaid programs.
Author(s): Alexandra Zimmerman
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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The Burden of Cancer in Persistent Poverty Areas of California
Compares cancer incidence between areas of persistent and non-persistent poverty in California between 2006 and 2020. Discusses the role of rurality in persistent poverty as well as county-level data. Includes breakdowns by race and ethnicity and type of cancer.
Author(s): Ani S. Movsisyan, Frances B. Maguire, Ayman T. Ullah, et al.
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: California Cancer Reporting and Epidemiologic Surveillance (CalCARES) Program
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North Dakota's Significant Rural Health Needs as Identified by Critical Access Hospital Community Health Needs Assessments: 2020-2022 Aggregate Results for Rural North Dakota Hospitals
Report highlights the results of community health needs assessments of North Dakota's Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) from 2020 to 2022. Identifies the most pressing healthcare needs in ND's rural communities.
Author(s): Kylie Nissen, Holly Long
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: University of North Dakota Center for Rural Health
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Sociodemographic and Geographic Risk Factors for All-Cause Mortality in Patients with COPD
Analyzes factors related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) mortality while considering both individual characteristics and community risk factors. Examines 2021 COPD patient data according to sex, race/ethnicity, comorbidities, area deprivation index, and location by highly rural, rural, and urban.
Author(s): C Robichaux, J Aron, CH Wendt, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, 18, 1587-1593
Date: 07/2023
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Rural-Urban Disparities in Video Telehealth Use During Rapid Mental Health Care Virtualization Among American Indian/Alaska Native Veterans
Compares the use of video telehealth for mental healthcare between American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) and non–AI/AN veterans by urban and rural residence from October 2019 through December 2020. Provides an overview of health disparities among AI/AN veterans. Presents monthly data on the number and percent of mental health encounters by type, rurality, and AI/AN status.
Author(s): Isabelle S. Kusters, Amber B. Amspoker, Kristen Frosio, et al.
Citation: JAMA Psychiatry
Date: 07/2023
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A Multi-Year Look at Maternal Mortality in Missouri 2018-2020 Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review
Provides an overview of maternal mortality in Missouri, with a focus on maternal health, demographic disparities, context surrounding maternal mortality, and prevention strategies. Includes county-level map as well as rural versus urban comparisons of mortality rates.
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
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Tackling the Maternal and Infant Health Crisis: A Governor's Playbook
Provides an overview of maternal morbidity and mortality trends, including racial and geographic disparities, as well as the underlying causes of poor maternal health in the United States. Outlines 32 recommendations across five priority areas that can be implemented in coordination with critical stakeholders, such as industry and community leaders, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and people with lived experience. Priority 3 covers recommendations related to disparities affecting Black and American Indian/Alaska Native individuals. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organizations: Afton Bloom, Boldly Go Philanthropy, National Governors Association
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