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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities

Measuring and Addressing Health Equity: An Assessment of Cancer Center Designation Requirements
Examines equity structures, processes, and outcomes in cancer center endorsements and their relationship to high-quality cancer care for all populations. Discusses cancer health disparities related to socioeconomic and insurance status, racial/ethnic groups, medically underserved populations, and rural populations. Describes how endorsing bodies can incorporate health equity requirements in cancer care for these groups.
Author(s): Jason T. Semprini, Caitlin B. Biddell, Jan M. Eberth, et al.
Citation: Cancer Causes & Control, 34, 23-33
Date: 03/2023
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Health Care Coverage, Affordability, and Access Among Rural and Urban Adults Ages 50 to 64
Examines differences in healthcare coverage, affordability, and access trends among rural and urban adults aged 50-64 between 2012 and 2019. Explores possible factors driving healthcare coverage disparities. Offers policy recommendations to improve access to coverage and affordable healthcare among older adults, especially those in rural areas.
Author(s): Olivia Dean, Beth Carter, Robert C. Saunders, et al.
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organizations: AARP Public Policy Institute, KNG Health
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Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Periodontal Health among Adults Seeking Dental Care in Rural North Carolina Communities: A Retrospective Study
Examines the prevalence of periodontitis in adults seen in dental clinics in rural North Carolina. Analyzes 10,544 electronic health records (EHRs) from 2011 to 2017 to observe periodontitis prevalence by age, race and ethnicity, tobacco use, diabetes diagnosis, and payer status. Discusses health disparities present in various sociodemographic groups.
Author(s): Alex Gillone, Acela A. Martinez Luna, Qiang Wu, et al.
Citation: Journal of Periodontology, 94(3), 364-375
Date: 03/2023
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2022 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report: Chartbook on Patient Safety
Summarizes trends in healthcare quality and disparities for metro (urban) to noncore (rural) populations. Includes quality measures for patient safety, person-centered care, care coordination, effective treatment, healthy living, and affordability.
Author(s): Barbara Barton, Darryl Gray, Cecilia Hahn, et al.
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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American Indian and Alaska Native Communities Face a 'Disproportionate Burden of Oral Disease' - Reversing Inequities Involves Challenges and Opportunities
White paper explores the state of American Indian and Alaska Native oral health. Discusses some of the oral health disparities faced by AI/AN communities, such as historical and cultural factors, workforce shortages, and oral health literacy, among other factors. Presents solutions and strategic recommendations to address AI/AN oral health disparities.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Mary Altenberg, Terrence Batliner, Tommie Chavis II, et al.
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organizations: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, National Indian Health Board
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Leveraging Telemedicine To Eliminate Outcome Disparities For Rural-Born Newborns
Presentation slides from a webinar discussing the barriers affecting care for neonatal encephalopathy in rural areas. Describes telemedicine strategies evaluating neonatal encephalopathy and methods for improving parent understanding. Identifies other applications of telemedicine appropriate for the care of newborns and children.
Additional links: Transcript
Author(s): Alexa Craig
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers
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Elevated Colorectal Cancer Incidence among American Indian/Alaska Native Persons in Alaska Compared to Other Populations Worldwide
Presents the results of a study comparing American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) colorectal cancer (CRC) rates in Alaska for 2018 to CRC rates among tribal and racial populations in other regions of the US, and internationally. Results of this study will be used to inform healthcare organizations about policies and practices supporting CRC screening for the reduction of the disease.
Author(s): Donald Haverkamp, Diana Redwood, Elena Roik, Stephen Vindigni, Timothy Thomas
Citation: International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 82(1)
Date: 03/2023
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Disparities in Telemedicine Literacy and Access in the United States
Examines populations who have limited access to telemedicine for plastic surgery care as well as general healthcare. Utilizes data from the U.S. Census and Pew Research Institute survey to create a telemedicine literacy index (TLI) and reports results according to various demographic variables as well as via a county-level U.S. map depicting telemedicine access.
Author(s): Andrew Harris, Amit Jain, Suraj A. Dhanjani, et al.
Citation: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 151(3), 677-685
Date: 03/2023
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Rural and Urban Differences in Insurance Coverage at Prepregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum
Examines insurance coverage in rural and urban women at prepregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Analyzes 154,992 postpartum individuals in the U.S. part of the 2016-2019 PRAMS (Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System) and breaks down rural versus urban data by demographic variables, income, state Medicaid expansion, education, marital status, chronic disease, and more. Discusses disparities in insurance for rural and urban women.
Author(s): Lindsay K. Admon, Jamie R. Daw, Julia D. Interrante, et al.
Citation: Obstetrics & Gynecology, 14(3), 570-581
Date: 03/2023
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Urban–Rural Disparities in Deaths of Despair: A County-Level Analysis 2004–2016 in the U.S.
Presents a study exploring the rural-urban differences in drug, alcohol, and suicide mortality rates across the country from 2004 to 2016. Breaks down data by demographic factors, such as sex, employment, and health insurance, among other measures.
Author(s): Jong Hyung Lee, David C. Wheeler, Emily B. Zimmerman, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 64(2), 149-156
Date: 02/2023
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