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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Populations

Visualizing Immunization Registry Data to Identify Places With Low Rates of HPV Vaccination Initiation in a Rural State
Results of a 2016 study of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among Iowa adolescents aged 13-15. Includes a county-level map showing urban and rural areas and their vaccination rates.
Author(s): Natoshia M. Askelson, Seungwon Kim, Youn Soo Jung, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 17
Date: 03/2020
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Evaluation of Senior Community Centers in Rural and Urban Pennsylvania
Report evaluates Pennsylvania's senior community centers in both rural and urban areas. Details some of the services offered by senior community centers and features county level data.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Janet Ann Melnick, Morgan Silfies, Heather Shanks-McElroy, Emily McElroy
Date: 03/2020
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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The Use and Meaning of the Term Obesity in Rural Older Adults: A Qualitative Study
Discusses perceptions of obesity's definition, obesity stigma, and stigma-related challenges for provider-patient communication with rural older adults. Utilizes data from interviews and focus groups with older adults with obesity, primary care clinicians, and community leaders in rural New Hampshire and Vermont.
Author(s): John A. Batsis, Alexandra B. Zagaria, Emma Brooks, et al.
Citation: Journal of Applied Gerontology, 40(4), 423-432
Date: 02/2020
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Child Hunger In Rural America
Discusses food insecurity impacts on children in rural America, with a focus on geographic isolation, lack of opportunities, limited resources, and programmatic barriers. Includes metro versus nonmetro comparisons of percent of households experiencing food insecurity.
Date: 02/2020
Sponsoring organizations: Feeding America, No Kid Hungry
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Examining Food Insecurity in the Rural United States: A Qualitative Study
Explores the difficulties families experience when trying to provide nutritious food to children, as well as related issues of food insecurity in 6 rural counties of the U.S. Discusses perceptions of food benefits, family circumstances, and participant suggestions to improve food access.
Author(s): Lindsey Haynes-Maslow, Lauri Andress, Carmen Byker-Shanks, et al.
Date: 02/2020
Sponsoring organizations: Feeding America, No Kid Hungry
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Urban–Rural Infant Mortality Disparities by Race and Ethnicity and Cause of Death
Analyzes data on infant mortality across county-classifications and broken down by race/ethnicity and large metro, medium/small metro, and nonmetropolitan areas. Notes differences regarding cause of death by race/ethnicity, including sudden unexpected infant death, congenital anomalies, and preterm-related.
Author(s): Lindsay S. Womack, Lauren R. Rossen, Ashley H. Hirai
Citation: American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 58(2), 254-260
Date: 02/2020
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Can Age-Friendly Planning Promote Equity in Community Health Across the Rural-Urban Divide in the US?
Utilizes the AARP Livability Index to explore differences in physical and built environment and social environment when comparing rural/urban counties. AARP Livability Index includes data breakdowns such as neighborhood, housing, transportation, and engagement, among others. Discusses additional factors such as income and population that impact community health in rural areas. Explores age-related community planning and its relationship to health challenges and community livability.
Author(s): Xue Zhang, Mildred E. Warner, Elaine Wethington
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(4), 1275
Date: 02/2020
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Effect of Travel Distance and Rurality of Residence on Initial Surveillance for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in VA Primary Care Patient with Cirrhosis
Highlights a study on the effect of travel distance on hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance for veterans with cirrhosis who are being treated by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Merges VHA and CMS data and breaks it down by demographics and travel distance to both VA and non-VA medical centers and the patients' primary care providers, among other measures.
Author(s): Yolanda Rodriguez Villalvazo, Jennifer S. McDanel, Lauren A. Beste, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 55(1), 103-112
Date: 02/2020
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A Prospective Cohort Analysis of Gut Microbial Co-metabolism in Alaska Native and Rural African People at High and Low Risk of Colorectal Cancer
Presents a study examining the role of diet and gut microbiota in rates of colorectal cancer. Compares the diets of Alaska Natives, who have the highest rates of colorectal cancer in the world, with the diets of rural Africans, who have some of the lowest.
Author(s): Soeren Ocvirk, Annette S. Wilson, Joram M. Posma, et al.
Citation: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 111(2), 406-419
Date: 02/2020
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Severe Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Among Indigenous Women in the United States
Compares maternal mortality and morbidity rates of Native American and Alaska Native women to those of non-Hispanic White women in both rural and urban areas across the U.S. Draws from hospital discharge data from 2012 to 2015.
Author(s): Katy B. Kozhimannil, Julia D. Interrante, Alena N. Tofte, Lindsay K. Admon
Citation: Obstetrics and Gynecology, 135(2), 294-300
Date: 02/2020
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