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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities

Community Social Determinants and Health Outcomes Drive Availability of Patient-Centered Medical Homes
Examines the geographic distribution of patient-centered medical homes and whether they appear in communities with greater disease burdens and social vulnerability. Analyzes spatial clusters of mental and physical health surveys, health behaviors, and premature mortality and compares these metrics with medical home saturation and sociodemographic characteristics, including rurality.
Author(s): Nathaniel Bell, Rebecca Wilkerson, Kathy Mayfield-Smith, Ana Lopez-De Fede
Citation: Health & Place, 67, 102439
Date: 01/2021
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Understanding Challenges to Well-Being among Latina FarmWorkers in Rural Idaho Using in an Interdisciplinary, Mixed-Methods Approach
Identifies social, cultural, and workplace-related risk factors impacting well-being in the public and private spheres of 70 female farmworkers in southwestern Idaho. Focuses on 6 themes specific to rural geography and farmworker populations, including long working hours, pesticide exposure, lack of enforcement of regulatory protections, food security, childcare responsibilities, and social isolation.
Author(s): Cynthia L. Curl, Lisa Meierotto, Rebecca L. Som Castellano
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(1), 169
Date: 01/2021
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Structural Racism, Racial Inequities and Urban–Rural Differences in Infant Mortality in the US
Examines linked live birth/infant death data between 2013–2017 from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) to determine overall and race-specific associations between 3 county-level structural racism indicators, infant mortality, and rural/urban differences.
Author(s): Dovile Vilda, Rachel Hardeman, Lauren Dyer, Katherine P. Theall, Maeve Wallace
Citation: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 75(8), 788-793
Date: 01/2021
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A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of a Home-Delivered Food Box on Food Security in Chickasaw Nation
Presents a study evaluating a free school meal program in 12 rural Oklahoma counties within the Chickasaw Nation from 2016 to 2018. Breaks down data by household income, children in household, and age of children, among other measures.
Author(s): Ronette R. Briefel, Gregory J. Chojnacki, Vivian Gabor, et al.
Citation: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 121(1), S46-S58
Date: 01/2021
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Exploring the Impact of ACA on Rural-Urban Disparity in Oral Health Services Among US Noninstitutionalized Adults
Examines the effect the ACA had on oral healthcare utilization in rural areas. Compares use of oral health services by adults from 2011-2016 in rural and urban communities.
Author(s): Wei-Chen Lee, Chih-Ying Li, Hani Serag, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 37(1), 103-113
Date: 01/2021
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Rural Community Engagement for Health Disparities Research: The Unique Role of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
Explores the potential of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HCBUs) to help reduce health disparities in rural communities of color. Highlights the Research with Care project, a collaboration between the North Carolina Central University and rural Halifax County, N.C. and discusses the expounding health disparities faced by people of color in rural areas, including COVID-19.
Author(s): Lorraine C. Taylor, Charity S. Watkins, Hannah Chesterton, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(1), 64
Date: 01/2021
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Telemedicine for Tobacco Cessation and Prevention to Combat COVID-19 Morbidity and Mortality in Rural Areas
Discusses the use of telehealth to initiate tobacco cessation programs in rural areas as a means of limiting comorbidity and mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights the rates of tobacco use in rural areas by type and compares rates to urban areas. Explores several examples of programs using telemedicine to implement successful models of tobacco cessation treatment in the U.S. and in Hong Kong.
Author(s): Ashley L. Merianos, Bradley Fevrier, E. Melinda Mahabee-Gittens
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 8, 598905
Date: 01/2021
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Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons: Law Enforcement & Prevention
Details the U.S. Department of Justice's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) initiative and presents a number of reports highlighting strategies and collaborations to aid in the investigation and prevention of crimes against American Indian and Alaska Native people. Features reports from non-government organizations, such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Amber Alert Training and Technical Assistance Program, as well as from different areas of the federal government, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Health and Human Services, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, among others.
Citation: DOJ Journal of Federal Law and Practice, 69(1)
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Justice
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COVID-19: Urgent Federal Actions to Accelerate America's Response
Presents six short-term recommendations for the Biden administration and Congress to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights the need for policies and strategies to prevent or mitigate health disparities, including in rural and tribal areas.
Additional links: Webinar Recording
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation: Taking a Leadership Role and Building Trust
An interview with Kim Barber Tieman, program director for health and human services for the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, sharing how the foundation has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses efforts to help West Virginia organizations navigate and apply for federal funding opportunities, support for mobile COVID testing units, support for telehealth infrastructure, and a wide range of other activities to help meet the needs of the region.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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