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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Populations

Factors Associated With Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Outcomes
Analyzes social determinants of health and demographic factors influencing racial and ethnic disparities in treatment response among rectal cancer patients. Provides data breakdowns of factors associated with patient outcomes, including treatment facilities' level of rurality. Highlights disparities experienced by Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black patients relative to non-Hispanic White patients.
Author(s): Rebecca M. Shulman, Mengying Deng, Elizabeth A. Handorf, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 7(2), e240044
Date: 02/2024
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Helping Families Through Upheaval: How Home Visiting Programs Supported Families' Economic Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Examines how early childhood home visiting programs continued to support families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizes interviews and existing literature of 9 programs to understand economic struggles, housing, transportation, medical care and health insurance, employment, and more. Provides reflections on the challenges experienced in underserved communities, including rural.
Author(s): Sarah Avellar, Jill Filene, Megan Hague Angus, Anna Beckham, Patrice Cachat
Date: 02/2024
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Children and Families
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Understanding Water Affordability Across Contexts: LIHWAP Water Utility Affordability Survey Report
Assesses water affordability for both families and utilities across the U.S, discussing low income households and funding. Includes rural, urban, and tribal comparisons and the unique challenges for each community type.
Date: 02/2024
Sponsoring organization: ACF Office of Community Services
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Services to Individuals with Intellectual Disability, Developmental Disability, or Autism Through the Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs
Examines ways to deliver services to individuals with intellectual disability, developmental disability, and autism, and offers recommendations for offering services efficiently and uniformly. Includes sections on Medicaid waivers, types of services, workforce development, and program accountability. Features a section on transportation challenges in rural areas for people with disabilities.
Author(s): Yvonne Llewellyn Hursh, Stephen J. Kramer, Wendy L. Baker
Date: 02/2024
Sponsoring organization: Joint State Government Commission, General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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Telemedicine vs Telephone Consultations and Medication Prescribing Errors Among Referring Physicians: A Cluster Randomized Crossover Trial
Compared 696 acutely ill children in 15 community and rural California emergency departments receiving telephone or video consultations to determine differences in physician-related medication errors. Discusses the impact of telehealth on healthcare quality and remote acute care.
Author(s): James P. Marcin, Monica K. Lieng, Jamie Mouzoon, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 7(2)
Date: 02/2024
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Behavioral Health Services Outcomes That Matter Most to Caregivers of Children, Youth, and Young Adults with Mental Health Needs
Used focus groups that included rural caregivers of children with behavioral health needs to identify behavioral health service outcomes valued by caregivers. Discusses access to care, service delivery, provider communication, caregiver training, stigma, caregiver wellness, and more. Discusses rural issues throughout.
Author(s): Genevieve Graaf, Katherine Kitchens, Millie Sweeney, Kathleen C. Thomas
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(2), 172
Date: 02/2024
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Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Incidence among Asian and Pacific Islander Populations in Guam, Hawai'i, and the United States
Presents a study on the rates of colorectal cancer among Native Hawaiian, Filipino, and CHamoru populations living in the mainland U.S., Hawaii, and Guam. Breaks down data by sex, location, and age. Details incidence over time from 2000 to 2019.
Author(s): JaeYong Choi, Grazyna Badowski, Yurii B. Shvetsov, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(2), 170
Date: 02/2024
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Rural Non-Congregate Summer Meals in 2023: Insights from the First Year of a New Program
Discusses the implementation of the non-congregate meal program in its first year. Utilizes recorded conversations and surveys to discuss the successes and challenges of summer non-congregate meal programs in rural areas. Includes data on meal types, distribution models, definitions of rural used among program grantees, food insecurity of children and families, and more.
Additional links: Micro-Report for Sponsors, Micro-Report for State Agencies, State Agency Survey Brief
Author(s): A. Panzera, M. Kirk-Epstein, P. Pokorney, et al.
Date: 02/2024
Sponsoring organization: No Kid Hungry
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Rural–Urban Disparities and Trends in Utilization of Palliative Care Services among US Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer
Reports on palliative care use among patients with metastatic breast cancer, utilizing 2004-2019 National Cancer Database data. Includes breakdowns by level of rurality, race, ethnicity, and other demographic and clinical characteristics. Discusses palliative care access and treatment disparities, and identifies trends.
Author(s): Jincong Q. Freeman, Adam W. Scott, Ted O. Akhiwu
Citation: Journal of Rural Health
Date: 02/2024
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Closing the Coverage Gap: Policy Considerations for Public-Private Solutions to Expand Health Insurance in Georgia
Explores policy and funding considerations influencing the expansion of health insurance in Georgia, including current programs, population health and demographics, and Medicaid expansion models. Evaluates the suitability of the Arkansas "private option" expansion approach for Georgia, and discusses its implementation. Highlights rural concerns throughout.
Date: 02/2024
Sponsoring organization: Georgia Health Initiative
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