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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Populations

VHA Office of Rural Health (ORH) Rural Research Agenda
Report outlines the goals and objectives of the research funding provided through the VHA Office of Rural Health (ORH). Details the ORH funding mechanisms and improvement priorities.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Veterans Health Administration's Office of Rural Health
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Reflections from Lived Experience: Disability and Public Libraries
Examines disability needs as related to rural public libraries and their services. Focuses on library networking, information resources, outreach, and accessing community resources in rural areas. Discusses library services such as assisting with health insurance and benefits enrollment, social connectedness, transportation needs, and more.
Author(s): Jeff Gutierrez
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Montana: Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities
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Assisting Rural Consumers
Offers information and guidance for Navigators and certified application counselors helping rural healthcare consumers. Covers rural-relevant considerations and policy updates regarding Federally-facilitated and State-based Marketplaces, Medicaid/CHIP, and Medicare. Outlines tips for assisters to address barriers to care and conducting outreach in rural areas.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Fatal Work Injuries Fell in 2023
Bar charts showing the number of fatal work injuries and rate per 100,000 full-time workers for 2022 and 2023 by broad occupational group. For the farming, fishing, and forestry group, the number and rate increased.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Bureau of Labor Statistics
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Federal and State Reimbursement for Youth Behavioral Health Services
Report details Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage of behavioral health services for rural people under 21 years of age. Breaks down reimbursement eligibility for behavioral health providers in all 50 states and discusses barriers to access in rural areas.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Uranium Exposure, Hypertension, and Blood Pressure in the Strong Heart Family Study
Examines the correlation between uranium exposure and health conditions such as hypertension and blood pressure changes in rural, tribal communities. Analyzes health status and uranium levels of 1,453 participants in the Strong Heart Family Study. Discusses rock and soil health, groundwater, and surface water contamination as factors in uranium exposure.
Author(s): Kevin P. Patterson, Abigail Onderwyzer Gold, Miranda J. Spratlen, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 04/2025
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Initiating Research in Indian Country: Lessons From the Strong Heart Study
Discusses the process of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) initiating studies to examine cardiovascular disease in rural and remote areas, isolated populations, and sovereign nations. Discusses the steps in conducting research with a focus on building trust, transparent implementation, and mutual feedback and results sharing.
Author(s): Barbara V. Howard, Elisa T. Lee, Thomas K. Welty, Richard R. Fabsitz
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 04/2025
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Vitamin D Deficiency and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Among American Indian Adolescents: The Strong Heart Family Study
Examines Vitamin D deficiency in adolescents from 12 tribal communities and the correlation with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Utilizes data from sovereign tribal nations located in multiple U.S. states and provides breakdowns on adolescents' demographic profiles, health status, and Vitamin D deficiency status.
Author(s): Jessica A. Reese, Erin Davis, Amanda M. Fretts, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 04/2025
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The Relationship Between Food and Housing Insecurity and Healthcare Use among Virginia Medicaid Expansion Members: Considering the Neighborhood Context
Examines how rurality and residential segregation impact food and housing insecurity in Medicaid expansion members in Virginia. Analyzes 14,735 individuals in 2019 for food and housing security, with demographic breakdowns by sex, race/ethnicity, age, health status, healthcare usage, income, and urban, suburban, or rural location.
Author(s): Hannah Shadowen, Sarah J. Marks, Olufemi Obembe, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 60(S2)
Date: 04/2025
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Maternal Mortality in Indiana: Contributing Factors and Policy Recommendations
Discusses causes of maternal mortality and related data in Indiana and the U.S. at large. Includes information on disparities with a focus on rural areas, demographics, and access to maternal health services. Provides county-level map of Indiana showing full, moderate, low, or no access to maternity care. Explores potential solutions to maternal mortality, such as co-location of maternal and behavioral healthcare, substance use disorder (SUD) support, mental health support, and more.
Author(s): Tierra Brooks, Lee Ruess, Kristi Schultz, Elizabeth Thuranira
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Indiana University Public Policy Institute
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