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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Population health

Exploring Bright Spots in Appalachian Health: Case Studies
In-depth studies of 10 Appalachian counties with health outcomes that are better than expected, given their characteristics and resources. Identifies actions these areas are taking to improve health and well-being. Features statistics including demographics and health-related data, and maps showing economic status of Appalachian counties. Third in a series of reports exploring health issues in Appalachia.
Author(s): Nancy M. Lane, G. Mark Holmes, Thomas A. Arcury, et al.
Date: 07/2018
Sponsoring organizations: Appalachian Regional Commission, Burness, PDA, Inc., The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research
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Adverse Childhood Experiences, Health‐Related Quality of Life, and Chronic Disease Risks in Rural Areas of the United States
Discusses a study on the correlation between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and adult chronic disease and poor physical and mental health among rural people. Breaks down data by age, race, and education, among other factors. Compares prevalence of ACEs in rural and urban areas.
Author(s): Amy Chanlongbutra, Gopal K. Singh, Curt D. Mueller
Citation: Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2018, 7151297
Date: 07/2018
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HIV Testing, Linkage to HIV Medical Care, and Interviews for Partner Services Among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men — Non–Health Care Facilities, 20 Southern U.S. Jurisdictions, 2016
Reports on work by 20 health departments and 24 community-based organizations (CBOs) funded by the CDC to provide HIV testing and related services to Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in the South. Provides rural-urban data on the number of HIV tests provided, new HIV-positive diagnoses, linking people with HIV infection to medical care, and interviews for partner services.
Author(s): Mariette Marano, Renee Stein, Wei Song, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 67(28), 778-781
Date: 07/2018
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Substance Use and Mental Health Issues among U.S.-Born American Indians or Alaska Natives Residing on and off Tribal Lands
Compares rates of behavioral health issues of American Indians and Alaska Natives who live on reservations with those who live off reservations. Measures rates of mental illness, mental illness service use, substance use, and substance use treatment.
Author(s): Eunice Park-Lee, Rachel N. Lipari, Jonaki Bose, et al.
Date: 07/2018
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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USDA Maine Rural Opioid Misuse Roundtable
Features a roundtable on the rural opioid crisis in Maine hosted USDA Maine Rural Development. Presents discussion between community leaders, experts, and people working to provide treatment and prevention of opioid addiction in rural Maine.
Date: 07/2018
Sponsoring organization: USDA Rural Development Maine State Office
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Integrating Responses at the Intersection of Opioid Use Disorder and Infectious Disease Epidemics: Proceedings of a Workshop
Features the proceedings of a public workshop on the relationship between the opioid epidemic and the spread of infectious diseases. Presents research and policy options, such as integrating infectious disease treatment into opioid treatment and prevention efforts, as well as exploring the role of law enforcement. Discusses barriers to treatment and prevention in rural areas.
Additional links: Read Online
Date: 07/2018
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Applicability of Precision Medicine Approaches to Managing Hypertension in Rural Populations
Discusses the Heart Healthy Lenoir Project study using a precision medicine approach in a rural population to gain knowledge on blood pressure (BP) control and BP intervention. The focus of the study is on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), a common type of genetic variation, to determine if SNPs corresponding with hypertension variation found in previous studies of populations near major medical organizations, are relative to BP control in subjects from a rural population.
Author(s): Jacqueline R. Halladay, Kaitlin C. Lenhart, Kimberly Robasky, et al.
Citation: Journal of Personalized Medicine, 8(2), 16
Date: 06/2018
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Faith, Activity, and Nutrition Randomized Dissemination and Implementation Study: Countywide Adoption, Reach, and Effectiveness
Reports on the effectiveness of the Faith, Activity, and Nutrition physical activity and healthy eating program implemented in 59 rural churches located in a medically underserved South Carolina county. Discusses the acceptance and reach of program, program impact, and the potential for broader distribution.
Author(s): Sara Wilcox, Ruth P Saunders, Andrew T Kaczynski, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 54(6), 776-785
Date: 06/2018
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Good Things in Small Packages? Evaluating an Economy of Scale Approach to Behavioral Health Promotion in Rural America
Discusses the relative effects of serving smaller versus larger student groups in a school-based youth risk prevention and behavioral health promotion program. Evaluation results are reported from the three-year program - I Got U: Healthy Life Choices for Teens - delivered to eighth-grade and tenth-grade rural Mississippi students from 2012 to 2015.
Author(s): John P. Bartkowski, Xiaohe Xu, Jerri S. Avery, et al.
Citation: Multidisciplinary Scientific Journal, 2018,1(1), 42-56
Date: 06/2018
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Gallbladder Cancer: Review of a Rare Orphan Gastrointestinal Cancer with a Focus on Populations of New Mexico
Report exploring gallbladder cancer (GBC) epidemiology with a focus on Native American and rural populations in New Mexico, which is one of several locations in the world where gallbladder cancer has elevated incidence. Reviews existing research to apply GBC studies to population and health data for New Mexico. Discusses the geographic distribution of GBC cases and risk factors of the disease, including chronic inflammation, as well as pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention strategies.
Author(s): Jacklyn M. Nemunaitis, Ursa Brown-Glabeman, Heloisa Soares, et al.
Citation: BMC Cancer, 18, 665
Date: 06/2018
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