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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Populations

Maternal and Infant Health: HHS Should Strengthen Processes for Measuring Program Performance
Provides an overview of the Healthy Start program, which aims to reduce rates of infant death, improve maternal health outcomes, and reduce racial and ethnic disparities. Describes Healthy Start grantees and participants served during the April 2019-March 2024 grant period, as well as services that grantees are expected to provide and changes to these expectations for the 2024-2029 grant period. Explores the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services's (HHS) efforts to measure program performance, the extent to which Healthy Start performance measures meet key attributes of effective measures, and HHS' efforts to align Healthy Start performance measures with those of related HHS programs. Includes information on Healthy Start programs and participants by organization type, race, and rurality. Offers recommendations regarding reviewing and coordinating Healthy Start performance measures across Healthy Start and related programs.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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North Carolina Healthcare Association Critical Workforce Needs Assessment
Reports on healthcare workforce trends in North Carolina, including discussion of state demographics, policy changes, and strategies influencing workforce needs and availability. Highlights the rural aging population and a need for health workers in rural communities.
Author(s): Patrick McHugh, Alison Bean de Hernandez, Chrystall Davis, Michael Hogan, Sara Nienow
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Healthcare Association
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Wisconsin National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) Review Final Report
Provides an overview of the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) data collection system that tracks independent living (IL) services for youth transitioning from foster care to self-sufficiency. Reports on the NYTD review process in Wisconsin and provides feedback on IL services, including those in tribal and rural areas.
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau
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Health Care Contact Days Among Older Cancer Survivors
Analyzes factors associated with healthcare contact days among older adult cancer survivors using the 2019 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) and linked Medicare claims data. Evaluates the effect of demographics, self-rated health, care-seeking behaviors, rural status, and more.
Author(s): Arjun Gupta, Emma D. Chant, Supriya Mohile, et al.
Citation: JCO Oncology Practice
Date: 03/2024
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National Aging and Disability Transportation Center 2023 Innovations Showcase
Offers descriptions, lessons learned, replication advice, and contact information for 14 transportation projects across the country. Projects cover accessibility, coordination, cross jurisdictional boundaries, healthcare access, and technology. Includes rural projects in Virginia and Massachusetts.
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Aging and Disability Transportation Center
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How the 10 Essential Public Health Services Align with the AFPHS 6Cs Framework for Supporting Healthy Aging
Examines the Framework for Creating Age Friendly Public Health Systems (AFPHS) and the 10 Essential Public Health Services (EPHS) that promote well-being for older adults. Includes rural-specific commentary and examples from rural areas.
Author(s): Megan Wolfe
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: Trust for America's Health
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Racial, Ethnic, and Rural Disparities in Distance to Physicians among Decedents with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias in Washington State
Evaluates travel distance to the nearest neurologist and primary care physician among people whose cause of death was related to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) in the state of Washington. Utilizes 2011-2021 mortality data. Includes breakdowns of distance to care by race, ethnicity, and level of rurality. Highlights geographic access disparities experienced by American Indian, Alaska Native, and Hispanic people.
Author(s): Solmaz Amiri, Jonae I. Keffeler, Dennis R. Crain, Justin T. Denney, Dedra Buchwald
Citation: Alzheimer's & Dementia, 20(5), 3671–3678
Date: 03/2024
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National Hospital Care Survey Demonstration Projects: Examination of Maternal Health Outcomes by Housing Assistance Status
Compares maternal health outcomes for patients receiving housing assistance to those who did not receive assistance using National Hospital Care Survey and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development linked data. Offers data breakdown by rurality of hospital location, health insurance coverage, maternal age, gestational age, delivery method, and length of hospital stay. Discusses possibilities for future use of linked data research.
Author(s): Josephine M. Alford, Lello Guluma, Doreen M. Gidali, Geoffrey Jackson
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Factors Associated with Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake Among Young Children – United States, 2021
Analyzes sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake among children 1-5 years old across sociodemographic and household factors. Provides data on SSB intake according to demographics, maternal age of mother, household income, education level, household language, food security, metropolitan statistical area (MSA) status, and more.
Author(s): Mary Ellen Grap, Heather C. Hamner, Carrie Dooyema, Adi Noiman, Sohyun Park
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 21
Date: 03/2024
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The State of Georgia's Healthcare System
Fact sheet on income-based gaps in healthcare coverage in Georgia. Provides county-level maps and data on areas with the most significant coverage gaps, economic impacts of uninsured population, rural hospital and provider shortages, and more.
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: Georgia Budget & Policy Institute (GBPI)
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