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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Population health

Incidental Sun Exposures as a Source of Sunburn Among Rural Compared to Urban Residents in the United States
Presents a study comparing sun exposure for people living in rural versus urban areas. Looks at sun exposure from leisure time activities and outdoor work for both rural and urban people.
Author(s): Patricia I. Jewett, Carrie Henning-Smith, DeAnn Lazovich, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health
Date: 09/2022
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Rural and Urban Women Have Differing Sexual and Reproductive Health Experiences
Explores the healthcare disparities women aged 15 to 49 experience related to sexual and reproductive health. Analyzes 2015-2019 data from the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) to investigate contraceptive use in 1,128 rural residents and 6,007 urban residents. Includes rural versus urban demographic breakdowns according to race/ethnicity, nativity, income, education, LGB+ identity, and history of/plans for having children.
Author(s): Emma Pliskin, Kate Welti, Jennifer Manlove
Date: 09/2022
Sponsoring organization: Child Trends
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Priorities for Improvement Across Cancer and Non-Cancer Related Preventive Services among Rural and Non-Rural Clinicians
Results of a survey of primary care physicians on preventive care services in need of improvement in their clinics. Reports on 2021 data from 326 survey respondents in 49 states who discuss improvement areas such such as screenings, nutrition counseling, and physical activity counseling. Includes rural versus urban breakdowns for priorities in improvement areas.
Author(s): Michaela Brtnikova, Jamie L. Studts, Elise Robertson, et al.
Citation: BMC Primary Care, 23, 231
Date: 09/2022
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Rural–Urban Differences in Breast and Colorectal Cancer Screening among US Women, 2014-2019
Analyzes disparities in breast and colorectal cancer screening in rural and urban women aged 50-74 in the U.S. using 2014-2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data. Includes demographic breakdowns by age, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, education level, income, marital status, health behaviors, and reported access to healthcare.
Author(s): Nicholas Theodoropoulos, Hui Xie, Qian Wang, Chi Wen, Yannan Li
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 22(3), 7339
Date: 09/2022
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Urban and Rural Differences in New Onset Type 2 Diabetes: Comparisons Across National and Regional Samples in the Diabetes Lead Network
Examines the likelihood of new onset type 2 diabetes (T2D) by community type. Utilizes 3 longitudinal study samples about diabetes in the United States to track new onset T2D by U.S. region as well as higher density urban, lower density urban, suburban/small town, and rural community type. Includes further demographic breakdowns by age, sex, race/ethnicity, socio-economic factors, and smoking behaviors.
Author(s): Tara P. McAlexander, Gargya Malla, Jalal Uddin, et al.
Citation: SSM - Population Health, 19, 101161
Date: 09/2022
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Risk Perceptions of Drinking Bottled vs. Tap Water in a Low-Income Community on the US-Mexico Border
Presents a study on rates of bottled water usage among low-income people on the U.S.-Mexico border. Explores concerns about tap-water quality and oral health consequences of drinking unfluoridated water. Draws conclusions from interviews of low-income households about the perceived safety of tap water in Nogales, Arizona.
Author(s): Kerton R. Victory, Amanda M. Wilson, Nolan L. Cabrera, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 22, 1712
Date: 09/2022
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Evaluation of a Civic Engagement Approach to Catalyze Built Environment Change and Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity among Rural Residents: A Cluster (Community) Randomized Controlled Trial
Provides an overview of a study that will analyze the Change Club (CC) intervention that focuses on built environment and health behaviors in rural communities. The CC intervention utilizes the civic engagement interventions for built environment change (CEBEC) approach to promote nutrition and physical activity. Discusses research plan for recruiting participants, conducting interventions, assessing and evaluating the program, and disseminating data and results.
Author(s): Rebecca A. Seguin-Fowler, Karla L. Hanson, Deyaun Villarreal, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 22, 1674
Date: 09/2022
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Exposed and at Risk – Opportunities to Strengthen Enforcement of Pesticide Regulations for Farmworker Safety
Report details the federal and state regulatory policies on pesticide use for farmworkers. Analyzes barriers to regulatory enforcement and makes recommendations for further protecting farmworkers.
Date: 09/2022
Sponsoring organizations: Center for Agriculture & Food Systems, Farmworker Justice Fund, Inc., Vermont Law & Graduate School
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QuickStats: Percentage of Children and Adolescents Aged 6–17 Years Who Have Roads, Sidewalks, Paths, or Trails Where They Can Walk or Ride a Bicycle, by Urban-Rural Status and Family Income — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2020
Bar chart showing children's access to locations where they can walk or ride a bicycle. Provides data for rural and urban neighborhoods for families with incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level and for families with incomes at or above 200% of the federal poverty level.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 71(35), 1136
Date: 09/2022
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Exploring Rural Doctors' Early Experiences of Coping With the Emerging COVID-19 Pandemic
Explores the methods rural doctors used to care for patients and cope with the stress of COVID-19. Bases conclusions on interviews with rural physicians detailing the support they gave and received in their practices and their strategies for dealing with the emotional toll of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Author(s): Ian Couper, Lucie Walters, Susan Williams, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 38(4), 923-931
Date: 09/2022
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