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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Population health

A Multicomponent Quality Improvement Intervention to Improve Blood Pressure and Reduce Racial Disparities in Rural Primary Care Practices
Assesses the effectiveness of a multicomponent practice-based quality improvement (QI) intervention to lower blood pressure of patients with uncontrolled hypertension and to determine if there would be a variation of effectiveness by race. Participants in the project included 525 adults with hypertension, providers and staff of which nearly 70% were African American. The study took place at primary care practices located in Lenoir County, an economically distressed county in Eastern North Carolina.
Author(s): Crystal W. Cené, Jacqueline R. Halladay, Ziya Gizlice, et al.
Citation: Journal of Clinical Hypertension, 19(4), 351-360
Date: 04/2017
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Promising Practice: Montana's Rural Health Initiative Promotes Healthy Lifestyles and Communities
Describes the projects of Montana Office of Rural Health's Rural Health Initiative (RHI) with a particular emphasis on the Montana Healthy Communities Conference. This conference was developed through a partnership with national and state foundations, and leftover funds were used to award Mini Grants to rural community organizations for health and wellness initiatives.
Author(s): Beth Blevins
Date: 04/2017
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
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Occupational Exposure to Pesticides and the Incidence of Lung Cancer in the Agricultural Health Study
Presents an exploration of incidents of lung cancer in agricultural workers due to exposure from pesticides. Draws data from the Agricultural Health Study, which surveys agricultural workers in Iowa and North Carolina.
Author(s): Matthew R. Bonner, Laura E. Beane Freeman, Jane A. Hoppin, et al.
Citation: Environmental Health Perspectives, 125(4), 544-551
Date: 04/2017
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Promoting Optimal Native Outcomes (PONO) by Understanding Women's Stress Experiences
Examines psychosocial stressors in women, aged 18-35, living in a rural Hawaiian community with a large Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander population to promote optimal native outcomes (PONO). Analyzes information from 36 women participating in focus groups and identifies seven stressor themes: intimate relationships; family and home life; child rearing; time for self; neighborhood environment; workplace; and finances.
Author(s): May Okihiro, Lisa Duke, Deborah Goebert, et al.
Citation: The Journal of Primary Prevention, 38(1-2), 159-173
Date: 04/2017
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Report on Lessons Learned from Rural Opioid Overdose Reversal Grant Recipients
Presents lessons learned from the recipients of the Rural Opioid Overdose Reversal (ROOR) Program grants. The ROOR Program was piloted by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) in 2015 and seeks to combat the opioid crisis at the local level. Report also shares resources designed to assist other rural organizations and documents the impact of the pilot year program. Provides background information on each of the 18 original grant recipients and their programs.
Date: 04/2017
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
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Health Disparities: Closing the Gaps Using Faith-Based Institutions
Explores the role of religious institutions in rural communities, particularly related to promoting and enhancing health and wellness activities. Discusses barriers and concerns to utilizing faith-based institutions, provides program examples, and makes policy recommendations for improving current and future relationships. Also addresses the implications of the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and concerns around protected health information in the faith-based setting.
Author(s): Dallas Martin, Joy Williams, Patricia Crawford, Nikki King
Date: 04/2017
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Self-reported General Health, Physical Distress, Mental Distress, and Activity Limitation by US County, 1995-2012
Results of a study examining county-level prevalence of self-reported poor health. Explores geographic disparities in health outcomes and compares prevalence of poor health with behavioral and metabolic risk factors and chronic conditions. Includes county-level maps and charts showing the relationship between life expectancy and self-reported health measures.
Author(s): Laura Dwyer-Lindgren, Johan P. Mackenbach, Frank J. van Lenthe, Ali H. Mokdad
Citation: Population Health Metrics, 15(16)
Date: 04/2017
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Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs in Nonmetropolitan Counties — United States, 2016
Examines the availability of diabetes self-management education (DSME) programs in nonmetropolitan counties. Includes data on related characteristics for nonmetro counties with and without DSME programs, including diabetes incidence and prevalence, income, educational attainment, and other demographic information.
Author(s): Stephanie A. Rutledge, Svetlana Masalovich, Rachel J. Blacher, Magon M. Saunders
Citation: MMWR Surveillance Summaries, 66(10), 1-6
Date: 04/2017
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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The Role of Medicaid in Rural America
Uses data from the 2013-2015 American Community Survey to examine the role of Medicaid in rural areas, and discuss how potential expansions or cuts could affect rural healthcare. Highlights the importance of Medicaid for many rural residents who are often faced with limited access to insurance and providers, longer travel times, and greater health needs when compared to their urban counterparts. Includes several charts and graphs to illustrate important statistics and demographic comparisons.
Author(s): Julia Foutz, Samantha Artiga, Rachel Garfield
Date: 04/2017
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Extending Work on Rural Health Disparities: A Commentary on Matthews and Colleagues' Report
Commentary on the CDC MMWR report, Health-Related Behaviors by Urban-Rural County Classification — United States, 2013. Discusses the value of the data provided in the report, which highlights health-related behaviors for six geographic levels. Offers recommendations to build on this work.
Author(s): Paul A. Gilbert, Helena H. Laroche, Robert B. Wallace, Edith A. Parker, Susan J. Curry
Citation: Journal of Rural Health
Date: 04/2017
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