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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities

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, C.H. 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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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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Building On CMS's Accountable Care Vision To Improve Care For Medicare Beneficiaries
Describes progress the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has made to date in its accountable care strategy. Outlines areas that CMS is exploring to accelerate the growth of and access to accountable care organizations (ACOs) that can support improved care and quality for beneficiaries, especially those in rural and underserved areas. Covers aligning the testing of ACO models and features with the Shared Savings Program (SSP), growth in the SSP, and using ACOs to reach underserved areas.
Author(s): Purva Rawal, Douglas Jacobs, Elizabeth Fowler, Meena Seshamani
Citation: Health Affairs Forefront
Date: 07/2023
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Epidemiology and Outcomes of Choledocholithiasis and Cholangitis in the United States: Trends and Urban-Rural Variations
Analyzes hospitalization, management, and outcomes for U.S. patients who have complications resulting from gallstone disease. Utilizes the National Inpatient Sample between 2005 and 2014 to examine 189,362 patient admissions, procedural interventions, and deaths related to choledocholithiasis and cholangitis in rural versus urban hospitals. Includes data breakdowns according to patient sociodemographic variables.
Author(s): Suqing Li, Leonardo Guizzetti, Christopher Ma, et al.
Citation: BMC Gastroenterology, 23, 254
Date: 07/2023
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Rural-Urban Differences in Health Care Unaffordability
Analyzes healthcare unaffordability in rural versus urban contexts as well as mitigating sociodemographic variables. Examines 90,761 survey responses from the 2019-2021 National Health Interview Survey according to 3 levels of unaffordability, further breaking down the data by race/ethnicity, sex, income, self-rated health, insurance type, education, age, and rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Hannah MacDougall, Daniel Mork, Stephanie Hanson, Carrie Henning Smith
Citation: The Journal of Rural Health, 40(2), 376-385
Date: 07/2023
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