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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: People with disabilities

Disability Rates Higher in Rural Areas Than Urban Areas
Examines urban and rural differences in disability rates nationally and by region, based on data from the American Community Survey.
Author(s): Katrina Crankshaw
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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The Appalachian Region: A Data Overview from the 2017-2021 American Community Survey Chartbook
State- and county-level information on population, age, race and ethnicity, housing occupancy, education, labor force, employment, income, health insurance coverage, disability, and veteran status, for the 13 Appalachian states. Features statistics with breakdowns by 5 levels of population density. Includes data explorer options for Appalachian categories such as population and age, education, income and poverty, computer and broadband access, rural Appalachia versus rural America, and employment and commuting.
Additional links: Full Report
Author(s): Kelvin Pollard, Sara Srygley, Linda A. Jacobsen
Date: 06/2023
Type: Website
Sponsoring organizations: Appalachian Regional Commission, Population Reference Bureau
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The Impacts of Extreme Weather Events on People with Disabilities
A report detailing the impact of extreme weather on people with disabilities in the areas of healthcare, housing, employment, education, and emergency management. Discusses concerns and recommendations for both rural and tribal residents throughout.
Date: 05/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Council on Disability
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County-Level Geographic Disparities in Disabilities Among US Adults, 2018
Provides county-level estimates of 6 types of disability including hearing, vision, cognition, mobility, self-care, and independent living. Utilizes geocoded 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data, Census 2018 county-level population estimates, and American Community Survey 2014-2018 poverty estimates to provide U.S. county-level maps showing percentage of disability and cluster patterns.
Author(s): Hua Lu, Yan Wang, Yong Liu, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 20
Date: 05/2023
Type: Document
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Distribution of Direct Care Workforce COVID-19 Funding Between Rural and Urban Counties in Minnesota and Illinois
Brief highlights the differences in the distribution of CARES Act direct care workforce funding between rural and urban counties in Minnesota and Illinois. Discusses the differences in distribution between the two states and the consequences for rural COVID-19 outcomes.
Author(s): Katie Rydberg, Janette Dill, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 05/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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2022 Transportation Trends
Identifies trends and issues affecting the availability of accessible transportation for older adults and people with disabilities. Summarizes results of a September 2022 survey of public transit and human services transportation providers; stakeholders; and aging and disability organizations such as Area Agencies on Aging, Centers for Independent Living and Aging and Disability Resource Centers. Discusses nine themes related to the challenges of providing transportation to older adults, younger adults with disabilities, and caregivers, including the lack of transportation options in rural areas.
Date: 05/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Aging and Disability Transportation Center
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Medicaid in Midlife: A Profile of Enrollees Ages 50 to 64
Provides an overview of Medicaid eligibility requirements for adults aged 50-64. Presents data on demographic characteristics of Medicaid beneficiaries in this age group, including race and ethnicity, gender, age, geography, and disability.
Author(s): James McSpadden, Sari Siegel
Date: 05/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: AARP Public Policy Institute
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2022 Indiana Kids Count Data Book: 28th Edition of a Profile of Hoosier Youth
Provides comprehensive data on child well-being in Indiana with a focus on family and community, health, economic well-being, and education. Discusses topics such as abuse and neglect, mental health, child welfare policies, injuries, disabilities, substance use, sexual activity, housing, food insecurity, and more. Includes data broken down by county and focused on rural populations.
Date: 05/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Indiana Youth Institute
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The Value of Rural Independent Living
Presents a Photovoice project evaluating rural community outreach for Centers for Independent Living along the themes of inclusion, raising awareness, being in community, community connections, and rural community living and values.
Date: 04/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living, University of Montana: Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities
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Medicaid: Characteristics of and Expenditures for Adults with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities
Describes the health and demographic characteristics of adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) enrolled in Medicaid home- and community-based programs in 2019 in six states: Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. Examines average per-beneficiary healthcare expenditures for I/DD beneficiaries in these states. Highlights the percentage of I/DD beneficiaries in rural areas of each state.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 04/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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