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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health literacy

Weight Status Underestimation and Weight Management Goals among Adults in the Rural South of the United States
Analyzes weight status, underestimation, and management goals among residents in rural South Carolina. Analyzes survey data among 185 respondents according to accuracy of weight reporting, weight loss/management goals, and related demographic factors. Discusses accuracy of weight perceptions among residents and the impact on weight management in the rural South.
Author(s): Haakim A. Waraich, Michael D. Wirth, Serge Wandji, Janessa M. Graves, Demetrius A. Abshire
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 10/2025
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Health-Related Internet Use among Adults In The Midwest, Metro and Nonmetro Geographies
Examines trends in health-related internet use in Midwestern adults. Utilizes data from 1,220 adult survey respondents and provides metro versus nonmetro data breakdowns on drive to seek online health information, internet searching literacy, device use, utilization of health-related social media and videos, and more. Discusses differences in rural and urban populations' abilities to utilize the internet for health needs.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
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COVID-19 Risk Stratification among Older Adults: A Machine Learning Approach to Identify Personal and Health-Related Risk Factors
Examines risk perceptions and health behaviors related to COVID-19 to create a predictive model to classify individuals into risk categories. Analyzes individual features such as demographic variables, health conditions, adherence to public health guidelines, health literacy, and urbanicity.
Author(s): Arezoo Abasi, Seyed Abbas Motevalian, Haleh Ayatollahi
Citation: BMC Public Health 25, 2577
Date: 07/2025
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Fluoride Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors: Adults in Rural Alabama
Highlights a study on rural adults knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding fluoride use in water and toothpaste as method of cavity prevention. Bases findings on a survey of 291 adults in Green Hill, Alabama.
Author(s): Alex Harper, Steven M. Levy, Wei Shi
Citation: Journal of Primary Care and Community Health, 16
Date: 06/2025
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Who Regularly Uses the Nutrition Facts Label? Exploring Demographic, Socioeconomic, and Geographic Differences
Analyzes the consumers who regularly read nutrition facts labels when purchasing food. Utilizes National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data to examine label use by demographic and household characteristics, dietary and spending behaviors, nutrition information use measures, and geographic characteristics, including small/medium metropolitan area versus nonmetropolitan area.
Additional links: Report Summary
Author(s): Brandon J. Restrepo
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Living With Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia in Rural Communities: Exploring Factors Related to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Adherence With a Mixed Methods Approach
Presents a study on the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), which improves chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) outcomes, among rural CML patients. Bases findings on semi-structured interviews detailing side effects, perceived stress, and ability to self-manage chronic conditions, among other factors.
Author(s): Jingxi Sheng, Sue P. Heiney, Karen E. Wickersham, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2), e70028
Date: 04/2025
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Assessing the Understandability and Actionability of Education Materials for Agricultural Workers' Health
Presents a study aiming to identify and evaluate the health education resources available to educators working with farmworkers. Evaluates resources by understandability and actionability.
Author(s): Julianna Nieuwsma, Joseph G. L. Lee, Jamie E. Bloss, et al.
Citation: Journal of Agromedicine, 30(3), 480-495
Date: 03/2025
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Vaccine Message Testing Evaluation Summary Report
Reports on an evaluation of educational print and audio materials related to COVID-19 vaccinations for farmworkers. Discusses evaluation participants' health information gathering and evaluation practices, the importance of content in native languages, and the workplace conditions contributing to health and safety.
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Farmworker Health
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Rural Health Webinar Series November 2024
Webinar series discussing rural health issues on topics including social connectedness, digital literacy and internet access, physical activity, community partnerships, graphic medicine, and opioid use. Webinars listed in the "Previous Classes" tab.
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organization: Network of the National Library of Medicine
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Ask Your Relative: A Mixed Method Analysis of the Sexual Health and Healthy Relationship Q&As Submitted by American Indian Alaska Native Young Adults
Analyzes the Ask Auntie/Ask Your Relative (AYR) Q&A service that provides sexual health information to American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth. Provides information on AYR usage, types of questions asked, and answers and resources provided. Discusses the importance of cultural relevant resources to reduce sexual health disparities among AI/AN youth.
Author(s): Stephanie Craig Rushing, Amanda Gchachu Kakuska, Jane Manthei, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 24, 3067
Date: 11/2024
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