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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Population health

The Impact of Food Sufficiency on the Health Status: The Case of Households in the North Central Region
Examines how availability of food is correlated with health status. Analyzes North Central Region (NCR)-Stat: Baseline Survey 2022 data and includes breakdowns according to self-reported health status, food access, and demographics, including location.
Author(s): Antara Chowdhury
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organization: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
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Prescription Opioid Tapering Practices and Outcomes at a Rural VA Health Care System
Presents a study on the clinical characteristics of rural veterans using opioids for chronic pain and undergoing opioid tapering. Breaks down data on outcomes from tapering for rural veterans who were taking 90 Morphine Equivalent Daily Dose (MEDD) or more. Highlights common tapering outcomes, such as increased pain, suicidal ideation, and other withdrawal symptoms.
Author(s): Rena Elizabeth Courtney, Emily Halsey, Tanvi Patil, et al.
Citation: Pain Medicine, 25(7), 480-482
Date: 07/2024
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Patterns and Trends in Melanoma Mortality in the United States, 1999–2020
Analyzes melanoma mortality utilizing 1999-2020 data from Centers for Disease Control Wide Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER). Provides mortality trends broken down by sex, race/ethnicity, age, state, and rural, suburban, or urban location.
Author(s): Alexander J. Didier, Swamroop V. Nandwani, Dean Watkins, et al.
Citation: BMC Cancer, 24, 790
Date: 07/2024
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The Impact of Regional Disparities on the Availability of Meningococcal Vaccines in the US
Analyzes the relationship among meningococcal vaccines, area-level socioeconomic status (SES), and state policies. Provides data on variables correlated with stocking rate, such as SES, social vulnerability, healthcare access, vaccine policies, and rural or micropolitan area, as well as public versus private proportion of doses. Includes county-level U.S. maps showing variations in meningococcal vaccine stocking rates.
Author(s): Katharina Schley, Eva Jodar, Jessica V. Presa, Sarah J. Willis, Christopher G. Prener
Citation: BMC Public Health, 24, 1771
Date: 07/2024
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A Guide to Building a Climate-Ready Rural Workforce
Guides local health departments in establishing and expanding climate and health programs for rural areas. Discusses climate-related environmental health challenges and activities, including sections on surveillance and data use, partnerships, communication and outreach, workforce development, and mental health.
Author(s): Nikita Kheni, Angana Roy, Aliya Al-Sadi, Beth Hess
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Association of County and City Health Officials
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Maui Together For a Healthier Tomorrow
Provides data from a survey of fire survivors, volunteers, healthcare professionals, and other people in Maui county on the impacts of Hawaii's August 2023 fires, including associated resources such as a wildfire assessment report and a video presentation of survey findings with transcript accessible through the video control bar. Details wildfire-associated impacts on healthcare access, mental health, supply of healthcare professionals, housing, finances and cost of living, and other topics related to health and well-being.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Presentation: The Struggles of Maui County, Wildfire Assessment Report
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: Hawaii State Rural Health Association
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Risk Factors for Poor Health Among U.S. Older Adults in Rural and Urban Areas: Injury, Food Insecurity, and Lack of Social and Emotional Support
Examines health and well-being in older adults by focusing on rural versus urban variations in injury, food insecurity, and lack of social and emotional support. Provides data breakdowns by demographics, employment, income, marital status, education, and more.
Author(s): Ingrid Jacobson, Alexis Swendener, Megan Lahr, Alyssa Fritz, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Barriers to Healthcare and Social Service Utilization Among Rural Older Adults Who Use Drugs
Presents a study on the barriers to healthcare and social services access for older adults in rural communities who use drugs. Bases findings on survey results from rural adults over 50 who use drugs on perceived barriers to service utilization. Highlights how barriers such as a lack of transportation, health insurance, and permanent housing correlates with age.
Author(s): Beth Prusaczyk, Sandra Tilmon, Joshua Landman, et al.
Citation: Journal of Applied Gerontology, 43(12), 1977-1984
Date: 06/2024
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FY24-FY26 New Mexico State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) Summary
Outlines New Mexico's disease prevention and health promotion plan for fiscal years 2024-2026. Identifies health priorities and strategies to increase access to primary care, reduce the incidence of substance misuse and mental health conditions, improve environmental health, and increase prevention and support for those affected by adverse childhood experiences. Includes discussion of tribal and rural health needs.
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: New Mexico Department of Health
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Talking about Health Disparities in Rural Contexts
Examines the concepts of health equity and health disparities in rural public health contexts. Discusses communication strategies to increase understanding and support for efforts to address health inequities in rural areas.
Author(s): Theresa L. Miller, Julie Sweetland, Luis Hestres, et al.
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organizations: FrameWorks Institute, National Network of Public Health Institutes
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