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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Population health

Education, Income, and Employment and Prevalence of Chronic Disease Among American Indian/Alaska Native Elders
Results of a study measuring the effects of income, employment status, and education level on the rates of chronic disease among 14,632 American Indian or Alaska Native elders from 2011-2014. Features demographics with breakdowns by 10 chronic diseases.
Author(s): Collette Adamsen, Shawnda Schroeder, Steven LeMire, Paula Carter
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 15
Date: 03/2018
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Oversight Hearing on Opioids in Indian Country: Beyond the Crisis to Healing the Community
Presents the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing on the opioid crisis in Indian Country. Features testimony from representatives of the U.S. Department of Justice, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, the Indian Health Service, the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, and the National Indian Health Board.
Date: 03/2018
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
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Achieving Rural Health Equity and Well-Being: Proceedings of a Workshop
Proceedings of a workshop designed to explore impacts of economic issues, immigration, and racial inequities in healthcare in rural communities and to learn about asset-based approaches to addressing these challenges. Features statistics including average life expectancy at birth from 1969-2009 with breakdowns by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, U.S. maps showing levels of poverty and employment, and a chart showing numbers of rural hospital closures from 2005-2017.
Additional links: Read Online
Date: 03/2018
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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The Opioid Crisis: Leadership and Innovation in the States
Presents the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) hearing on state policy approaches to combating the opioid crisis. Features testimony from the governors of Maryland and Oregon detailing the opioid interventions implemented in their states.
Date: 03/2018
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
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2017 Transportation Trends Topic Spotlight: Rural Travel Training
Presents a report on rural travel training programs. Discusses the challenges and opportunities rural elderly and people with disabilities face in navigating their communities. Features several examples of programs exhibiting best practices.
Date: 03/2018
Sponsoring organization: National Aging and Disability Transportation Center
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Notes from the Field: HIV Infection Investigation in a Rural Area — West Virginia, 2017
Reports on an investigation by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources that began with 10 cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection identified in 3 counties during January-July 2017. Describes how the investigation broadened to 15 counties based on injection drug use and sexual contacts. Identifies risk reduction and treatment options available in these counties and discusses strategies undertaken to limit further transmission of HIV.
Author(s): Mary E. Evans, Sarah M. Labuda, Vicki Hogan, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 67(8), 257-258
Date: 03/2018
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Vaccine-Preventable, Hospitalizations among American Indian/Alaska Native Children Using the 2012 Kid's Inpatient Database
Explores health disparities in American Indian (AI) children related to vaccine-preventable infectious disease (VP-ID) hospitalizations. Utilizes the Kid's Inpatient Database (KID) to examine 12,732 VP-ID hospitalizations in 2012. Includes demographic breakdowns of hospitalized patients according to racial/ethnic group, age, sex, household income, geographic location, and metropolitan versus nonmetropolitan location.
Author(s): Amanda J. Nickel, Susan E. Puumala, Anupam B. Kharbanda
Citation: Vaccine, 36(7), 945-948
Date: 02/2018
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Epidemiological Study of People Living in Rural North Carolina for Novel Respiratory Viruses
Pilot study at an outpatient clinic in North Carolina examining individuals with influenza-like symptoms to identify respiratory viruses among people residing in a rural area with dense swine and poultry farming. Includes results from nasal swab and air samples as well as participant characteristics, including sex, age, animal exposure, and antibiotic and hospitalization history.
Author(s): X. Wang, B. D. Anderson, L. A. Pulscher, et al.
Citation: Zoonoses and Public Health, 65(1), e265–e269
Date: 02/2018
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Occupational Pesticide Exposure and Subclinical Hypothyroidism among Male Pesticide Applicators
Details a study on thyroid dysfunction in licensed pesticide applicators. Draws data from the Agricultural Health Study. Looks at other health factors such as obesity, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption, as well as other demographic factors.
Author(s): Catherine C. Lerro, Laura E. Beane Freeman, Curt T. DellaValle, et al.
Citation: Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 75(2), 79-89
Date: 02/2018
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Body Mass Index and Rural Status on Self-Reported Health in Older Adults: 2002-2012 Medicare Expenditure Panel Survey
Presents a study comparing self-reported mental and physical health of older adults with rural status and obesity status. Pulls data from the Medicare Expenditure Panel Survey and breaks it down by age, race, and marital status, among other factors.
Author(s): John A. Batsis, Karen L. Whiteman, Matthew C. Lohman, Emily A. Scherer, Stephen J. Bartels
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 34(Suppl1), s56-s64
Date: 02/2018
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