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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities

Rural Children's Health and Health Care
Examines differences in child health conditions by rural and urban residency. Explores differences in use of preventative dental and medical services by poverty rate, adverse childhood experiences, overweight and obesity, food insecurity, and physical activity.
Date: 02/2022
Sponsoring organization: Maternal and Child Health Bureau
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Hazardous Alcohol Use and Alcohol-Related Harm in Rural and Remote Communities: A Scoping Review
Presents a review of studies exploring hazardous alcohol use and alcohol-related harm in rural and remote communities. Details the health effects and other negative outcomes of hazardous alcohol use and highlights correlations across rural communities.
Author(s): Erik Loewen Friesen, Jacob Bailey, Sarah Hyett, et al.
Citation: The Lancet Public Health, 7(2), E177-E187
Date: 02/2022
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The Lives of Native Hawaiian Elders and Their Experiences With Healthcare: A Qualitative Analysis
Highlights a 5-year study on the experiences of Native Hawaiian elders have had accessing quality healthcare. Discusses barriers to healthcare for Native Hawaiian elders, including those residing in rural areas.
Author(s): Keilyn Leina'ala Kawakami, Shelley Muneoka, Rachel L. Burrage, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health
Date: 02/2022
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America at a Glance: An Update on Rural-Urban Differences in Disability Rates
Examines data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 2015-2019 estimate to describe disability rates in rural communities. Presents data on metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore disability rates by type, age, and race/ethnicity. Describes how these rates have changed since the ACS 2010-2014 estimate.
Date: 02/2022
Sponsoring organization: Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities
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Association Between Mental Health and Oral Health Status and Care Utilization
Highlights a study on the correlation between oral and mental health issues. Examines factors that contribute to poor mental and oral health status. Details participants' household income, insurance status, and whether they live in a metro or non-metro area, among other factors.
Author(s): Tamanna Tiwari, Abigail Kelly, Cameron L. Randall, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Oral Health, 2, 732882
Date: 02/2022
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County-Level Variation in Cirrhosis-Related Mortality in the US, 1999-2019
Reviews cirrhosis mortality rates in the U.S. based on data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention WONDER database for 1999-2019. Analyzes data according to sex, race and ethnicity, and metropolitan/nonmetropolitan categories. Includes discussions of health disparities as related to metro categories.
Author(s): Audrey Y. Ha, Michael H. Le, Linda Henry, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 5(2)
Date: 02/2022
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Quantifying Rural Disparity in Healthcare Utilization in the United States: Analysis of a Large Midwestern Healthcare System
Analyzes patient utilization of rural versus urban outpatient clinics. Explores electronic health record data from 474,674 adult patients from June 2018 to March 2019 across variables such as age, sex, race, ethnicity, smoking status, and health status. Includes statistics and discussion of clinic utilization in relation to rural healthcare disparities.
Author(s): Akua Nuako, Jingxia Liu, Giang Pham, et al.
Citation: PLoS ONE, 17(2)
Date: 02/2022
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Social Determinants of Mortality of COVID-19 and Opioid Overdose in American Rural and Urban Counties
Highlights a study on the social determinants of health that correlate with high COVID-19 and opioid overdose mortality in rural and urban counties. Breaks down county data by median income, unemployment, and healthcare workforce, among other factors.
Author(s): Yuhui Zhu, Zhe Fei, Larissa J. Mooney, et al.
Citation: Journal of Addiction Medicine, 16(1), e52-e55
Date: 02/2022
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Colorectal Cancer Community Engagement: A Qualitative Exploration of American Indian Voices from North Dakota
Presents a study on the barriers and facilitators of colorectal cancer screening for American Indian (AI) communities in North Dakota. Bases conclusions on interviews with AI adults between 30 and 75 years of age.
Author(s): Nicole Redvers, Mia Wilkinson, Courtney Fischer
Citation: BMC Cancer, 22, 158
Date: 02/2022
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Pandemic Increases Pressure on Rural Hospitals & Communities: Vulnerability, Health Inequity and Staffing Crisis Amplified in Pandemic's Third Year
Examines the stability of the rural healthcare safety net. Discusses disparities between rural and urban communities and communities with hospitals vulnerable to closure. Describes the benefits of COVID-19 relief funding on rural hospitals and how scheduled reimbursement cuts and staffing shortages could impact hospitals' financial stability. Also discusses how staffing shortages impact access to obstetrics and chemotherapy care in rural areas.
Date: 02/2022
Sponsoring organization: Chartis Center for Rural Health
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