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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Populations

Demographics and Disability Status of Adults Living Alone in Rural Areas
Policy brief examining differences in age and disability status of people who live alone in rural and urban areas. Describes health impacts of living alone and explores American Community Survey (ACS) data from 2014-2018 to represent demographic characteristics and prevalence of disabilities for rural and urban adults living alone.
Author(s): Jonathan Schroeder, Carrie Henning-Smith, Mariana Tuttle
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Trends in Singleton Preterm Birth by Rural Status in the U.S., 2012-2018
Policy brief showing variations in preterm birth by demographics, payment method, and participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) during pregnancy. Features statistics with breakdowns by 5 levels of population density.
Author(s): Maria J. Perez-Patron, Robin L. Page, Samson Olowolaju, Brandie D. Taylor
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
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Oversight Hearing "Examining the COVID-19 Response in Native Communities: Native Health Systems One Year Later"
Recording of an oversight hearing of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs evaluates the response of native healthcare systems to the COVID-19 one year into the pandemic. Features testimonies by representatives of the Indian Health Service, the National Indian Health Board, the National Council of Urban Indian Health, the Papa Ola Lōkahi organization, and the Alaska Native Medical Center.
Additional links: Michael Toedt Testimony, Robert Onders Testimony, Sheri-Ann Daniels Testimony, Walter Murillo Testimony, William Smith Testimony
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
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Influenza Vaccination in the Past 12 Months Among Children Aged 6 Months–17 Years: United States, 2019
Presents data on influenza vaccination for children aged 6 months to 17 years using 2019 National Health Interview Survey data. Compares vaccination rates by various demographics as well as comparing levels of urbanization and regional vaccination rates.
Author(s): Lindsey I. Black, Amanda E. Ng, Benjamin Zablotsky
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Rural and Urban Hospital Characteristics by Obstetric Service Provision Status, 2010-2018
Illustrates the differences between urban and rural hospitals providing obstetric (OB) services. Compares them by size, capacity, location, and community characteristics, and compares these factors between rural hospitals with OB units and those that had discontinued services during the study period. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural location.
Additional links: Characteristics of Rural and Urban U.S. Hospitals Based on Obstetric Services
Author(s): Julia D. Interrante, Lindsay K. Admon, Mariana S. Tuttle, Bridget Basile Ibrahim, Katy B. Kozhimannil
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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COVID-19 Incidence and Mortality Among American Indian/Alaska Native and White Persons — Montana, March 13–November 30, 2020
Examines COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) and White people in Montana. Discusses factors that may have contributed to greater incidence and mortality for the AI/AN population and the need for appropriate public health measures and vaccine allocation strategies to address disparities.
Author(s): Laura L. Williamson, Todd S. Harwell, Todd M. Koch, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(14), 510-513
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Use of Stay-at-Home Orders and Mask Mandates to Control COVID-19 Transmission — Blackfeet Tribal Reservation, Montana, June–December 2020
Reports on the impact of community mitigation resolutions passed and enforced by the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council on COVID-19 incidence in the Blackfeet Tribal Reservation. Mitigation measures included case investigation, contact tracing, a mandatory stay-at-home order, and required mask use in public.
Author(s): Caroline Q. Pratt, Anna N. Chard, Rosaula LaPine, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(14), 514-518
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Notes from the Field: COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing Program — Spirit Lake Tribe, North Dakota, September–November 2020
Reports on how the CDC helped the Spirit Lake Tribe build a tribally managed program to address increasing COVID-19 cases through comprehensive case investigations, case notification, contact tracing, contact testing, and contact management. Describes the work of Spirit Lake community members who served as investigators and contact tracers, providing advice about the need to isolate or quarantine. Discusses housing challenges that impacted isolation and quarantine efforts.
Author(s): James Matthias, Tracy Charboneau, Cheri Schaffer, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(14), 533-534
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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VA Health Care: Efforts Needed to Ensure Effective Use and Appropriate Staffing of Suicide Prevention Teams
Report evaluates the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA's) utilization of suicide prevention teams to prevent suicides among veterans. Evaluation makes recommendations for elevating benchmarks of the program and improving team staffing.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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The Opioid Epidemic: A Geography in Two Phases
Examines population and geographic data on 2 phases of the U.S. opioid epidemic. Examines the association between overdose deaths and chronic pain, physical disability rates, and economic hardship. Discusses the shift from overdose mortality associated with prescription opioids to illicit and synthetic opioids in the early 2010s, including in rural areas and the Northeastern U.S.
Additional links: Report Summary
Author(s): David A. McGranahan, Timothy S. Parker
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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