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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities

Maternal Mortality: Trends in Pregnancy-Related Deaths and Federal Efforts to Reduce Them
Examines trends in pregnancy-related deaths between 2007 and 2016, Analyzes data by cause of death, racial and ethnic groups, and age. Appendix III lists ongoing Department of Health and Human Services funding opportunities to address maternal mortality, including the Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies (RMOMS) Program. Appendix V provides an overview of efforts to reduce maternal mortality in California, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, and Texas.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Healthy People 2020 Progress for Leading Causes of Death in Rural and Urban America: A Chartbook
Provides a description of progress toward Health People 2020 benchmarks among racial and ethnic groups, men and women, and residents of the 4 United States census regions. Features statistics including deaths from heart disease, cancer, COPD, unintentional injury, stroke, diabetes, and suicide from 2007-2017, with breakdowns by 6 levels of population density.
Author(s): Timothy H. Callaghan, Alva O. Ferdinand, Marvellous Akinlotan, et al.
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
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Urban–Rural Infant Mortality Disparities by Race and Ethnicity and Cause of Death
Analyzes data on infant mortality across county-classifications and broken down by race/ethnicity and large metro, medium/small metro, and nonmetropolitan areas. Notes differences regarding cause of death by race/ethnicity, including sudden unexpected infant death, congenital anomalies, and preterm-related.
Author(s): Lindsay S. Womack, Lauren R. Rossen, Ashley H. Hirai
Citation: American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 58(2), 254-260
Date: 02/2020
Type: Document
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Effect of Travel Distance and Rurality of Residence on Initial Surveillance for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in VA Primary Care Patient with Cirrhosis
Highlights a study on the effect of travel distance on hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance for veterans with cirrhosis who are being treated by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Merges VHA and CMS data and breaks it down by demographics and travel distance to both VA and non-VA medical centers and the patients' primary care providers, among other measures.
Author(s): Yolanda Rodriguez Villalvazo, Jennifer S. McDanel, Lauren A. Beste, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 55(1), 103-112
Date: 02/2020
Type: Document
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A Prospective Cohort Analysis of Gut Microbial Co-metabolism in Alaska Native and Rural African People at High and Low Risk of Colorectal Cancer
Presents a study examining the role of diet and gut microbiota in rates of colorectal cancer. Compares the diets of Alaska Natives, who have the highest rates of colorectal cancer in the world, with the diets of rural Africans, who have some of the lowest.
Author(s): Soeren Ocvirk, Annette S Wilson, Joram M Posma, et al.
Citation: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 111(2), 406-419
Date: 02/2020
Type: Document
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Predictors of Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Treatment Use Among Rural Adults using Stimulants over Three Years
Details a study on the factors that predict mental health and substance use treatment utilization among rural stimulant users. Breaks down data from 2002 to 2008 by race, age, and substance use, among other measures.
Author(s): Michael A. Cucciare, Songthip T. Ounpraseuth, Geoffrey M. Curran, Brenda M. Booth
Citation: Substance Abuse, 40(3), 363-370
Date: 02/2020
Type: Document
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Predictors of Substance Use Treatment Initiation and Engagement Among Adult and Adolescent Medicaid Recipients
Presents a study on the indicators of substance use treatment among Medicaid recipients in rural and urban areas. Breaks down data by race, sex, and co-occurring conditions, among other measures.
Author(s): Bonnie K. Lind, Dennis McCarty, Yifan Gu, et al.
Citation: Substance Abuse, 40(3), 285-291
Date: 02/2020
Type: Document
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Severe Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Among Indigenous Women in the United States
Compares maternal mortality and morbidity rates of Native American and Alaska Native women to those of non-Hispanic White women in both rural and urban areas across the U.S. Draws from hospital discharge data from 2012 to 2015.
Author(s): Katy B. Kozhimannil, Julia D. Interrante, Alena N. Tofte, Lindsay K. Admon
Citation: Obstetrics and Gynecology, 135(2), 294-300
Date: 02/2020
Type: Document
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Strengthening Community-Clinical Linkages to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Rural NC: Feasibility Phase of the CHANGE Study
Highlights a study evaluating the implementation and effectiveness of a cardiovascular disease prevention program using community health worker (CHW) interventions. Analyzes the CHANGE program in rural North Carolina and discusses the program's design, implementation, and outcomes.
Author(s): Carmen D. Samuel-Hodge, Ziya Gizlice, Sallie D. Allgood, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 20, 264
Date: 02/2020
Type: Document
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Rural-Urban Differences in the Association Between Individual, Facility, and Clinical Characteristics and Travel Time for Cancer Treatment
Examines the association of patient, facility, and clinical characteristics with round trip travel times for all types of cancer patients living in rural and urban areas with the objective to help providers understand which patients may be most in need of resources to assist with travel.
Author(s): Joel E. Segel, Eugene J. Lengerich
Citation: BMC Public Health, 20(1),196
Date: 02/2020
Type: Document
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