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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Physical activity

Association of the Neighborhood Built Environment with Incident and Prevalent Depression in the Rural South
Shares the results of a study examining if the built environment is associated with depression for residents living in rural Washington Parish, Louisiana. Examines if observed associations between rural built environments and depression can be mitigated by physical activity. Table 1 details the demographic characteristics of the rural study population.
Author(s): Christopher E. Anderson, Stephanie T. Broyles, Maeve E. Wallace, Lydia A. Bazzano, Jeanette Gustat
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 18, 200605
Date: 07/2021
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A Cross-Sectional Comparison of Physical Activity During COVID-19 in a Sample of Rural and Non-Rural Participants in the US
Examines the impacts of COVID-19 on physical activity in 25 states, comparing rural and urban responses from 278 survey participants. Discusses disparities in obesity and physical activity rates, and describes barriers to physical activity.
Author(s): Alan M. Beck, Amanda S. Gilbert, Dixie D. Duncan, Eric M. Wiedenman
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(9), 4991
Date: 05/2021
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Rural Initiatives Addressing Community Social Needs
Describes the role of Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in improving population health and addressing social needs in their communities. Profiles two Critical Access Hospital social needs programs: Lakewood Health System's food access initiatives in Minnesota, and Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital's NEK Prosper. Provides an overview of both programs and highlights best practices of each.
Author(s): Madeleine Pick, Megan Lahr, Ira Moscovice
Date: 03/2021
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Relationships between Physical and Mental Health in Adolescents from Low-Income, Rural Communities: Univariate and Multivariate Analyses
Highlights a study on the relationship between physical and mental health among 10th and 11th graders in rural Alabama. Explores the role socioeconomic status and rural versus urban location play in the mental and physical health of teenagers. Breaks down data by sex, age, ethnicity, and household income, among other factors.
Author(s): Robyn Feiss, Melissa M. Pangelinan
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), 1372
Date: 02/2021
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Program Implementation and Church Members' Health Behaviors in a Countywide Study of the Faith, Activity, and Nutrition Program
Analyzes relationships between Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) program implementation and physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, and self-efficacy for improving these behaviors among church members in a southeastern, medically underserved county in a rural area. Features data and statistics on participants' health behaviors and self-efficacy at baseline and at a 12-month follow-up.
Author(s): John A. Bernhart, Sara Wilcox, Ruth P. Saunders, Brent Hutto, Jessica Stucker
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 18
Date: 01/2021
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Eat Healthy, Be Active Community Workshops Implemented with Rural Hispanic Women
Describes a pilot study investigating whether delivering Eat Healthy, Be Active (EHBA) workshops through promotoras is a practical and culturally relevant method for encouraging healthy lifestyle behaviors and reducing obesity among Hispanic women in rural areas of Washington state. Includes data and statistics, with information on changes in nutrition label literacy, food insecurity, health behaviors, and health status among participants.
Author(s): Janeth I. Sanchez, Katherine J. Briant, Samantha Wu-Georges, et al.
Citation: BMC Women's Health, 21(24)
Date: 01/2021
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Promoting Physical Activity in Rural Settings: Effectiveness and Potential Strategies
Evaluates the effectiveness of a BEAT Cancer, a physical activity intervention for female cancer survivors, utilizing data from 16 program participants in a rural, community setting. Includes data on outcomes related to physical activity, mental health, quality of life, and barriers to physical activity of 16 participants. Includes program implementation and design feedback from participants.
Author(s): Whitney J. Smith, Michelle Y. Martin, Maria Pisu, et al.
Citation: Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, 6(4), e000180
Date: 2021
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Dialogue About the Workforce for Population Health Improvement: Proceedings of a Workshop
Presentations from a workshop facilitating a population health perspective among public health and healthcare leaders and professionals; framing the work of personnel such as community health workers, health navigators, and peer-to-peer chronic disease management educators within the context of population health; and leveraging the competencies of public- and private-sector workforces that are working to include a well-being orientation in their activities.
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): Roundtable on Population Health Improvement
Date: 2021
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Special Issue: Physical Activity Promotion for Reducing Health Disparities in Rural Communities
Collection of articles examining health disparities and physical activities in rural areas.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Date: 2021
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Papás Activos: Associations between Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior and Personal Networks among Fathers Living in Texas Colonias
Study of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and social networks for Latino fathers living in rural Texas colonia communities on the U.S.-Mexico border. Presents data from 48 families using a community-based promotora research model, addressing physical activity effectiveness, social relationships, and physical activity measurements using accelerometers.
Author(s): Tyler Prochnow, M. Renee Umstattd Meyer, Megan S. Patterson, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(24), 9243
Date: 12/2020
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