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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Poverty

Quantification of Neighborhood-Level Social Determinants of Health in the Continental United States
Results of a study examining 71,901 census tracts, to quantify the social determinants of health (SDOH) consisting of advantage, isolation, opportunity, and mixed immigrant cohesion. Features demographic statistics with breakdowns by 7 multidimensional neighborhood typologies, including Rural Affordable. Offers comparisons between SDOH in Chicago and the rest of the continental United States.
Author(s): Marynia Kolak, Jay Bhatt, Yoon Hong Park, Norma A. Padron, Ayrin Molefe
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 3(1)
Date: 01/2020
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The Motivations and Needs of Rural, Low-Income Household Food Gardeners
Results of a study using surveys, interviews, and garden visits to households in rural, western Pennsylvania to explore behavior and motivations of rural food gardeners, and the challenges they face. Discusses the financial, spiritual, and ecological value of gardening, and opportunities for community support.
Author(s): Kate J. Darby, Taylor Hinton, Joaquin Torre
Citation: Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 9(2), 55-69
Date: 01/2020
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Access to Autism Spectrum Disorder Services for Rural Appalachian Citizens
Summarizes the challenges of accessibility and affordability faced by residents of rural southwest Virginia as they seek services for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Highlights the effects of extreme poverty and the need for cultural sensitivity among service providers. Offers suggestions for policymakers and features demographic statistics on caregivers and providers.
Author(s): Angela Scarpa, Laura S. Jensen, Denis Gracanin, Sharon L. Ramey, Angela V. Dahiya
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 2(1), 25-40
Date: 2020
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The Strong African American Families Program Improves Lives of Rural African American Youth
Video with transcript, describing a program developed by the Center for Family Research at the University of Georgia, designed to foster wellbeing and improve outcomes for rural African American young people ages 10-14. Describes challenges they face, and explores ways in which the program strengthens parenting, promotes youth protective factors, and decreases the likelihood that participants will engage in high-risk behaviors, including substance abuse.
Date: 12/2019
Sponsoring organization: National Institute on Drug Abuse
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It's Time to Connect Rural Health Equity with Community and Economic Development
Discusses research on the relationship of health equity with rural and economic development. Presents resources demonstrating innovative projects to help people in rural communities live healthy lives.
Author(s): Katharine Ferguson, Katrina Badger
Date: 11/2019
Sponsoring organization: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
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Oral Health Status of Low-Income Children in Pennsylvania: A Rural-Urban Comparison
Describes research examining the oral health component of the Medical Assistance (MA) program for Pennsylvania children, additional oral health programs and services, the supply and distribution of Pennsylvania dentists, and the overall oral healthcare delivery system for low-income children in rural Pennsylvania. Features statistics including the number of general dentists and specialists who were active MA providers as of 2017, with breakdowns by urban or rural location, and a county-level map showing low-income Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas by rural status as of 2018.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Lisa Davis, Kelly Braun, Myron R. Schwartz
Date: 11/2019
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Transforming Persistent Poverty in America: How Community Development Financial Institutions Drive Economic Opportunity
Report discusses the role community development financial institutions play in rural communities. Highlights economic and social barriers in rural counties, such as unemployment, lack of financial institutions, inadequate housing, structural inequality, and lack of access to healthcare, among others.
Date: 11/2019
Sponsoring organization: Partners for Rural Transformation
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Poverty Rates in 2017 Were Highest for Children, Particularly Among Those Living in Rural Areas
Bar chart showing rural and urban poverty rates by age group. Includes data for children under 5 years, all children under 18 years of age, working age adults (18-64 years), and seniors (65 and older).
Date: 11/2019
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Maternal Health Begins Where Moms Live, Learn, and Work
Discusses the social and healthcare influences, particularly in rural areas, on maternal health and its effect on maternal mortality. Compares rural county and urban county data for Arizona state Medicaid coverage, amount of prenatal care received and when it was received, and the poverty rate.
Author(s): Bryna Koch, Benjamin Brady, Susan Coates, et al.
Date: 10/2019
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The Supplemental Poverty Measure: 2018
Provides estimates of poverty for the official poverty measure and the supplemental poverty measure, which takes into account government programs that support low-income families. Tables A-1, A-2, and A-8 provide data for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas.
Author(s): Liana Fox
Date: 10/2019
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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