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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities

Oklahoma State Department of Health State Health Assessment 2023
Discusses the findings of a 2023 statewide health assessment, noting health inequity at the census tract level and social determinants of health specific to Oklahoma. Includes an overview of health behavior data, demographics, health challenges, and potential interventions for each of the 10 county health department districts and statewide.
Date: 08/2023
Sponsoring organization: Oklahoma State Department of Health
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Association Between Insurer Connectivity in Appalachian Population Health Networks and Preventable Hospitalizations: Evidence from Kentucky
Examines insurer connectivity in community networks across regions in Kentucky, and the association between connectivity and the probability of experiencing a preventable hospitalization. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban, rural non-Appalachian, and Appalachian locations.
Author(s): Rachel Hogg-Graham, Kelsey R. Gatton, Rick Ingram, Glen P. Mays
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 5(2), 15-31
Date: 08/2023
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Sexual Minorities Are Not a Homogeneous Population: Health Disparity Differences Based on Residence in Rural Versus Urban Settings
Evaluated 210,392 sexual minorities (SMs) between 2015 and 2019 to determine whether rural SMs are at increased risk for chronic disease. Includes discussion of insurance status, sex, rural and urban comparisons, and multiple chronic illnesses.
Author(s): Ethan Morgan, Kathryn Lancaster, Yootapichai Phosri, Janelle Ricks, Christina Dyar
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 23(3), 8052
Date: 08/2023
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Examining the Diversity of the Rural United States
Explores the sociodemographic diversity of rural counties. Discusses research on the mortality for chronic respiratory diseases, substance use disorders, and transportation injuries by ethnicity and urbanicity. Describes the importance of engaging local community members and organizations to understand the needs of rural communities. Profiles Jefferson County, Oregon, diversity in rural Central Oregon, and the Central Oregon Regional Health Assessment.
Author(s): Parkes Kendrick
Date: 08/2023
Sponsoring organization: Think Global Health
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Disparities in Cancer Mortality Patterns: A Comprehensive Examination of U.S. Rural and Urban Adults, 1999–2020
Analyzes cancer mortality rates over a 20-year period to observe rural versus urban disparities. Utilizes National Center for Health Statistics data with rural versus urban data breakdowns by type of cancer, race/ethnicity, and sex.
Author(s): Itunu O. Sokale, Syed Ahsan Raza, Aaron P. Thrift
Citation: Cancer Medicine, 12(18), 18988-18998
Date: 08/2023
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Working Towards Health Equity in the Rural Space
Podcast episode featuring a discussion with Terry Scoggin, CEO of Titus Regional Medical Center in northeast Texas, and Ben Anderson, Vice President of Rural Health and Hospitals for the Colorado Hospital Association, on how they are working to promote health equity in rural areas.
Date: 08/2023
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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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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