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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Population health

The 2021–2022 Study of Family and Staff Experiences in American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start FACES Programs: Fall 2021 Data Tables and Study Design
Analyzes 18 Region XI programs and reported data from American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Head Start children, parents, and teachers. Provides information on issues such as children's home environments, social-emotional learning skills, disabilities and physical health, and teacher and child characteristics.
Author(s): Myley Laurent, Tatiana Santiago, Katie Gonzalez, et al.
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Children and Families
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Structural Determinants of Health: Hospitals' Unequal Capital Investments Drive Health Inequities
Examines hospitals' capital investments as a structural factor influencing disparities in patient safety and quality of care at hospitals in the United States. Analyzes topics including hospital economics, federal policy, funding, hospital infrastructure, and more. See Section 5 in particular for discussion of rural hospitals.
Author(s): Eileen Appelbaum, Emma Curchin, Rosemary Batt
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organization: Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR)
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Factors Associated With Surveillance Testing in Individuals With COVID-19 Symptoms During the Last Leg of the Pandemic: Multivariable Regression Analysis
Examines demographic, clinical, and behavioral factors associated with COVID-19 testing in a predominantly rural, underserved population in West Virginia between May and November 2022. Utilizes Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics for Underserved Populations program (RADx-UP2) survey data of 2103 individuals. Includes a geospatial analysis of associations between county-level community distress and likelihood of being symptomatic when presenting for testing.
Author(s): Timothy Dotson, Brad Price, Brian Witrick, et al.
Citation: JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, 2024(10), e52762
Date: 07/2024
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Refined Feasibility Testing of an 8-Week Sport and Physical Activity Intervention in a Rural Middle School
Examines the effectiveness of an 8-week physical activity (PA) and sport program aimed at reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks in rural, low-income children. Discusses intervention feasibility and reports on the physiological, psychological, and PA outcomes of 35 6th and 7th grade students enrolled in the intervention.
Author(s): Janette M. Watkins, Janelle M. Goss, McKenna G. Major, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(7), 913
Date: 07/2024
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Dental Anxiety and Oral Health in American Indian and Alaska Natives
Explores levels of "dental anxiety" or fear and anxiety around dental care in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. Discusses the historical and cultural factors that contribute to dental distrust, anxiety, and avoidance among AI/AN individuals. Breaks down data by age, sex, and educational attainment, among other factors.
Author(s): Tamanna Tiwari, Casey D. Wright, Lisa J. Heaton, et al.
Citation: Journal of Public Health Dentistry
Date: 07/2024
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Comprehensive Assessment of Pesticide Use Patterns and Increased Cancer Risk
Evaluates the impact of the use of 60 different agricultural pesticides on cancer rates at the county level. Discusses trends for 6 types of cancers, the relation to agricultural productivity, and accounting for various socioeconomic vulnerability variables.
Author(s): Jacob Gerken, Gear Thomas Vincent, Demi Zapata, Ileana G. Barron, Isain Zapata
Citation: Frontiers in Cancer Control and Society, 2, 1368086
Date: 07/2024
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Community-Engaged Systems for Population Health Improvement: A Novel Approach to Improve Diabetes Outcomes in Rural Communities
Describes the design and implementation of a community-driven diabetes prevention and care management initiative focused on coalition-building and decentralized decision-making in 2 rural Nebraska communities. Discusses planning, capacity-building, community engagement, and sustainability.
Author(s): Kristin Pullyblank, Marisa Rosen, Christopher Wichman, et al.
Citation: Journal of Community Health, 49, 798-808
Date: 07/2024
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Adverse Childhood Experiences: Health Care Utilization And Expenditures In Adulthood
Uses 2021 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey-Household Component data to estimate healthcare utilization and expenditures for adults with and without adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in addition to various health conditions and behaviors. Exhibit 1 includes prevalence and relative risk of various demographic and geographic factors by number of ACEs. Discusses policy implications of study findings.
Author(s): Thomas M. Selden, Didem M. Bernard, Sandra L. Decker, Zhengyi Fang
Citation: Health Affairs, 43(8)
Date: 07/2024
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The State of Mental Health in America
Report presents data on mental health and substance use for youth and adults across all 50 states. Highlights barriers to mental health wellness, such as lack of mental healthcare coverage, mental health workforce shortages, and cost of treatment, among other factors. Discusses some challenges specific to rural communities.
Author(s): Maddy Reinert, Danielle Fritze, Theresa Nguyen
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organization: Mental Health America
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Report to Congress: Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis in the United States: An Update from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Reports on efforts by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to improve maternal health outcomes, including programs related to care delivery, access to care, and social factors influencing health. Presents data and discussion of maternal health trends, identifies key drivers, highlights relevant HHS programs and actions, and presents a framework to measure progress. Details rural access and outcome disparities and features rural-focused programs.
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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