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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities

Hunger, Poverty, and Health Disparities During COVID-19 and the Federal Nutrition Programs' Role in an Equitable Recovery
Examines how food security and health were impacted by COVID-19, particularly for underserved populations and areas. Discusses the role of federal nutrition programs in addressing disparities. Includes analysis specific to rural communities.
Date: 09/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Food Research & Action Center
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Disparities in Breast Cancer Survivors in Rural West Texas
Examines a rural Texan county with increased breast cancer mortality to understand the relationship between sociodemographic variables and breast cancer outcomes. Reviews data from 406 women between 1995 and 2014 to explore survival probability among variables such as race and ethnicity, insurance status, age, zip code, and stage of cancer, among others.
Author(s): Hafiz Khan, Drew Rasmussen, Kemesha Gabbidon, et al.
Citation: Cancer Control, 28
Date: 09/2021
Type: Document
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Investigating Rurality as a Risk Factor for State and Trait Hopelessness in Hospitalized Patients With Ischemic Heart Disease
Highlights a study on the correlation between rurality and hopelessness among adults with ischemic heart disease (IHD). Compares rates of hopelessness of patients with IHD in rural and urban areas. Breaks down data by gender, employment, and marriage status, among other factors.
Author(s): Deb Bomgaars, Gwenneth A. Jensen, Lynn L. White, et al.
Citation: The Journal of the American Heart Association, 10(17), e020768
Date: 09/2021
Type: Document
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Asthma Surveillance — United States, 2006–2018
Reports on asthma prevalence by population demographics, poverty level, and geographic location, including rural and metro comparisons. Examines trends based on 2006-2018 data from the National Heath Interview Survey (NHIS), National Vital Statistics System (NVSS), and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
Author(s): Cynthia A. Pate, Hatice S. Zahran, Xiaoting Qin, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(5), 1-32
Date: 09/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Rural Carve-Out Funding
Policy brief discussing rural health funding inequities and the potential to target federal funding to rural and underserved communities to improve community-level health behaviors, workforce, technology, and financial resources. Offers policy recommendations to improve the equitable distribution of federal funding and promote best practices.
Author(s): Michael Meit, Crystal Barter, Sally Buck, Mark Woodring
Date: 09/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Hyperlocal Covid-19 Testing and Vaccination Strategies to Reach Communities with Low Vaccine Uptake
Describes promising state and local strategies to promote equitable and accessible COVID-19 testing and vaccination programs among communities with low vaccination rates. Presents examples of how states and communities use existing infrastructure and modify strategies to meet community needs. Includes rural examples and highlights rural-focused strategies for vaccinations.
Author(s): Andrea Thoumi, Kamaria Kaalund, Christina Silcox, et al.
Date: 09/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy
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Disparities in Health Care in Medicare Advantage Associated with Dual Eligibility or Eligibility for a Low-income Subsidy
Shares Medicare Advantage (MA) plan performance data for specific healthcare quality measures reported in 2019, which represents care received in 2018. Analyzes and compares the quality of clinical care for dual-eligible (DE) beneficiaries, those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, and Medicare beneficiaries who are eligible for a Part D low-income subsidy (LIS) with the quality of care for beneficiaries who do not qualify as DE nor LIS by racial/ethnic groups and rural status.
Date: 09/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Mental Health System Development in Rural and Remote Areas during COVID-19
Report highlights the barriers faced by rural, remote, and tribal communities to accessing mental healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. Details rates of mental health treatment over the past year and compares rural and urban communities. Discusses factors affecting access in rural areas such as workforce shortages, lack of telehealth services, and lack of culturally competent care for American Indian and Alaska Native populations, among others.
Date: 09/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors
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Ready to Respond: Mental Health Beyond Crisis and COVID-19
Report highlights strategies for addressing the need for mental health services in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Details seven recommendations for state mental health programs post-pandemic and discusses workforce challenges and how telehealth can be used to expand access to care to rural and underserved areas.
Date: 09/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors
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Urban-Rural Differences in Suicide Rates and Leading Means in Kansas
Examines suicide rates and the means of suicide in Kansas between 2000-2019. Compares data by frontier, rural, densely-settled rural, semi-urban, and urban counties.
Date: 09/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Kansas Health Institute
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