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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services

Addressing Rural Seniors' Unmet Needs For Oral Health Care
Highlights a study on barriers to oral healthcare for rural seniors. Discusses the poor health outcomes seniors face when they lack access to oral healthcare. Details barriers such as cost, lack of insurance coverage, and provider shortages, among others.
Author(s): Cheryl Fish-Parcham, Melissa Burroughs, Eric P. Tranby, Avery R. Brow
Citation: Health Affairs Blog
Date: 05/2019
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Rural-Urban Differences in the Decline of Adolescent Cigarette Smoking
Examines the decline in the rates of smoking for rural and urban adolescents aged 12-17. Compares the rates of decline in rural and urban areas from 2008-2010 and from 2014-2016. Bases conclusions on data drawn from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health and highlights implications of those conclusions for public health policymakers.
Author(s): Erika C. Ziller, Jennifer Dunbar Lenardson, Nathan C. Paluso, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 109(5), 771-773
Date: 05/2019
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Examining Urban and Rural Differences in How Distance to Care Influences the Initiation and Completion of Treatment among Insured Cervical Cancer Patients
Study examining rates of cervical cancer treatment for patients in North Carolina, focusing on the role of geographic distance in healthcare disparities. Analyzes data for insured cervical cancer patients from 2004-2013, taken from a state registry. Discusses the differences in time between diagnosis and completion of concurrent chemoradiotherapy between rural and urban patients.
Author(s): Lisa Spees, Wendy Brewster, Mahesh Varia, et al.
Citation: Cancer, Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, 28(5), 882-889
Date: 05/2019
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U.S. Ag Centers Mental Health Awareness Campaign: Promotional Toolkit
Shares resources for a Mental Health Awareness month campaign tailored to meet the needs of rural, agricultural communities. Includes graphics, a customizable news release, and social media messaging.
Date: 05/2019
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Agricultural Safety and Health Centers
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Patient Body Mass Index (BMI) Knowledge in a Rural Primary Care Population
Results of a study to determine changes between 2013 and 2017 in rural West Virginia clinic patients' knowledge of BMI topics and weight-related risk factors, and to determine incidence of physician discussions about BMI with patients. Features statistics on patient demographics and various aspects of BMI knowledge.
Author(s): Treah Haggerty, Jun Xiang, Dana King
Citation: Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 32(3), 413-417
Date: 05/2019
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The Balance Protocol: A Pragmatic Weight Gain Prevention Randomized Controlled Trial for Medically Vulnerable Patients Within Primary Care
Presents a study of a first-line weight gain prevention intervention for obese patients in central North Carolina. Explores the effectiveness of the intervention on a largely rural, uninsured, and majority Hispanic population.
Author(s): Miriam B. Berger, Dori M. Steinberg, Sandy Askew, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 19, 596
Date: 05/2019
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Environmental Scan of South Dakota's Mobile Mammography Efforts
Evaluates the mobile mammography efforts of several programs in South Dakota. Includes a county-level map (see additional link) that details mobile mammography coverage and utilization, as well as breast cancer prevalence and mortality.
Additional links: County-Level Map
Date: 05/2019
Sponsoring organization: South Dakota Cancer Coalition
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Resource Guide: Promising Programs in Native American Communities
Highlights promising programs for tribal communities in Montana. Features programs to support mental health and suicide prevention, substance abuse, social determinants of health, and diabetes prevention, among other issues.
Date: 05/2019
Sponsoring organization: Montana Healthcare Foundation
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Rural Access to Primary Care in New York State
Report highlights the state of primary care access across rural New York State. Discusses key issues and makes policy recommendations. Requires a no-cost registration to download report.
Date: 05/2019
Sponsoring organization: Primary Care Development Corporation
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Older Americans Act: HHS Could Help Rural Service Providers by Centralizing Information on Promising Practices
Focuses on services and resources authorized by the Older Americans Act to help older adults age in place in rural communities. Addresses challenges accessing home and community-based services in rural areas and information on strategies for addressing those challenges. Covers home-delivered meals, congregate meals, transportation, family caregiver services, case management, and homemaker services. Research included interviews with ACL officials, rural area agencies on aging (AAA) in 8 states, rural health experts, and stakeholder groups; a literature review; and site visits.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 05/2019
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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