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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Populations

Tips for Disaster Responders: Cultural Awareness When Working in Indian Country Post-Disaster
Provides information for disaster response workers to build cultural awareness for supporting Native Americans before, during, and after a traumatic event. Discusses cultural values; types of traumatic events; traditional teachings, values, and language; and community healing.
Date: 09/2022
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Disability and Telehealth since the COVID-19 Pandemic
Discusses the importance of telehealth for people with disabilities in context of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Describes telehealth's benefits and barriers for individuals as well as institutional advantages and limitations, including discussion of increased need and accessibility issues in rural areas. Describes specific policy and funding modifications during the public health emergency. Provides policy and infrastructure recommendations.
Author(s): Natalie Lawson, Jaque King, Robyn Rontal
Date: 08/2022
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health and Research Transformation at the University of Michigan (CHRT)
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The Intersection of Disability Status and Rurality in American Indian/Alaskan Native Communities
Presents statistics on American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) disability prevalence rates in metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore counties using 2015-2019 American Community Survey data. Compares AI/AN and White disability prevalence, including comparisons of counties with greater than 5% AI/AN population with those not meeting that threshold.
Author(s): Genna M. Mashinchi, Emily C. Hicks, Arin J. Leopold, Lillie Greiman, Catherine Ipsen
Citation: Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 3, 875979
Date: 08/2022
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Disability and the Household Context: Findings for the United States from the Public Use Microdata Sample of the American Community Survey
Analyzes disability at the household level in rural and urban areas, including data on disability prevalence and composition of households with and without disability. Utilizes 2015-2019 American Community Survey data. Discusses support relationships in the household as a factor affecting the life courses of people with and without disability.
Author(s): Christiane von Reichert
Citation: Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 3, 875966
Date: 08/2022
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Exploring Environmental Measures in Disability: Using Google Earth and Street View to Conduct Remote Assessments of Access and Participation in Urban and Rural Communities
Presents two studies which use digital maps and street-level imagery to investigate physical accessibility in rural and urban communities. Analyzes pathway usability, building access, and community participation of people using personal mobility devices, with comparisons by community population size. Discusses procedures, applications, and limitations of the use of digital street-level imagery for accessibility research.
Author(s): Tom Seekins, Meg A. Traci, Emily C. Hicks
Citation: Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 3, 879193
Date: 08/2022
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Association of Rurality, Race and Ethnicity, and Socioeconomic Status With the Surgical Management of Colon Cancer and Postoperative Outcomes Among Medicare Beneficiaries
Results of a study of 57,710 fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries 65 years or older diagnosed with colon cancer between April 2016, and September 2018, with follow-up until December 2018. Features demographics and statistics with breakdowns by metropolitan, micropolitan, or small town/rural location.
Author(s): Niveditta Ramkumar, Carrie H. Colla, Qianfei Wang, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 5(8), e2229247
Date: 08/2022
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Tribal Economic Development: Action is Needed to Better Understand the Extent of Federal Support
Report examining federal support across various agencies for economic development in tribal communities, including support for tribal governments and businesses. Describes challenges related to reporting, assessing the impacts of tax incentives, and program eligibility for Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs).
Additional links: Accessible PDF, Fast Facts, Highlights Page
Date: 08/2022
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Examining the Association Between Rurality and Positive Childhood Experiences Among a National Sample
Explores the relationship between rurality and positive childhood experiences (PCEs). Compares rates of PCEs, such as nurturing and supportive relationships, safe and stable environments, and constructive social engagement, among others, in rural and urban communities.
Author(s): Elizabeth Crouch, Janice C. Probst, Sylvia Shi, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health
Date: 08/2022
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Preserving Independence among Under-Resourced Older Adults in the Southeastern United States: Existing Barriers and Potential Strategies for Research
Literature review examining barriers to independent aging in the Southeast, including physical, mental, and social challenges related to chronic conditions, health disparities, and access to care. Includes a section on barriers for older adults in rural areas of the Southeast.
Author(s): Ene M. Enogela, Taylor Buchanan, Christy S. Carter, et al.
Citation: International Journal for Equity in Health, 21, 119
Date: 08/2022
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Long Drives and Red Tape: Mapping Rural Veteran Access to Primary Care Using Causal-Loop Diagramming
Explores the factors that contribute to barriers to primary care for rural veterans. Discusses how factors such as physical distance to VA facilities, the efficacy of VA programs, and other factors combine to affect levels of primary care access for veterans in rural areas.
Author(s): Erin S. Kenzie, Mary Patzel, Erik Nelson, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 22, 1075
Date: 08/2022
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