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Resources by Topic: Public health

Demographic and Economic Characteristics Associated with Sole County Pharmacy Closures, 2006-2010
Describes demographic and economic characteristics associated with counties experiencing closure of their sole pharmacy which results in patients having reduced access to key health services like drug dispensing, immunizations, patient assessments, and medication therapy management services.
Author(s): Paula Weigel, Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 11/2013
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Washeteria Closures, Infectious Disease and Community Health in Rural Alaska: A Review of Clinical Data in Kivalina, Alaska
Assesses the rates of gastrointestinal, respiratory, and skin infections associated with prolonged washeteria closures for a village of 400 people on an Alaskan barrier island. There is no in-home piped water or sewage on the barrier island; the washeteria is the village's only source providing public showers, laundry facilities, and flush toilets.
Author(s): Timothy K. Thomas, Jake Bell, Dana Bruden, Millie Hawley, Michael Brubaker
Citation: International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 72(1), 21233
Date: 08/2013
Type: Document
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Promoting Use of Booster Seats in Rural Areas Through Community Sports Programs
Presents a study based on surveys of 20 rural communities in 4 states about booster seat use for children ages 4-7. Analyzes results of surveys given before and after participating in a 4-6 week community T-ball program that disseminated information about the importance of booster seats in child passenger safety. Control communities were only given a brochure about the topic at the time of the survey.
Author(s): Mary E. Aitken, Beverly K. Miller, Byron L. Anderson, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 29(s1), s70-s78
Date: 08/2013
Type: Document
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Health Care Providers' Perspectives on Low HPV Vaccine Uptake and Adherence in Appalachian Kentucky
Examines healthcare providers' perceived barriers and motivations for women ages 18-26 in Appalachian Kentucky to receive the HPV vaccine. Includes suggested strategies from healthcare providers for improving vaccination rates and participant characteristics.
Author(s): Katharine J. Head, Robin C. Vanderpool, Laurel A. Mills
Citation: Public Health Nursing, 30(4), 351-360
Date: 07/2013
Type: Document
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Community Size as a Factor in Health Partnerships in Community Parks and Recreation, 2007
Study to determine whether park and recreation leaders' perceptions of characteristics, effectiveness, and outcomes of partnerships with public health agencies vary depending on whether the community is very small, small, medium, or large.
Author(s): Laura L. Payne, Jo An M. Zimmermann, Andrew J. Mowen, Elizabeth Orsega-Smith, Geoffrey C. Godbey
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 10
Date: 07/2013
Type: Document
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Mobilizing Community Partnerships in Rural Communities: Strategies and Techniques
Describes how rural communities can develop and maintain organizational and community partnerships with local health departments, community health centers, healthcare organizations, offices of rural health, hospitals, and non-profit organizations. Recommendations are based on interviews with Federal Office of Rural Health Policy grantees involved in successful rural community partnership initiatives.
Author(s): Mikhaila Richards
Date: 07/2013
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Association of County and City Health Officials
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Appalachian Versus Non-Appalachian US Traffic Fatalities, 2008-2010
Examines traffic-fatality rates in Appalachia and the non-Appalachia U.S. using Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and Census data from 2008-2010. Includes rural versus urban traffic fatality data inside and outside Appalachia, with data by gender and age group. Provides rural versus urban fatality data for passenger-vehicle drivers and passengers, motorcyclists, ATV riders, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
Author(s): Motao Zhu, Songzhu Zhao, Kelly K. Gurka, Sahiti Kandati, Jeffery H. Coben
Citation: Annals of Epidemiology, 23(6), 377-380
Date: 06/2013
Type: Document
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Population-Based Versus Practice-Based Recall for Childhood Immunizations: A Randomized Controlled Comparative Effectiveness Trial
Compares the effectiveness of automatic and provider initiated immunization reminders in 14 Colorado counties, 8 of which are rural. Includes statistics with breakdowns by location, race, ethnicity, and income.
Author(s): Allison Kempe, Alison Saville, L. Miriam Dickinson, et al.
Citation: American Journal for Public Health, 103(6), 1116-1123
Date: 06/2013
Type: Document
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The Utility of Rural and Underserved Designations in Geospatial Assessments of Distance Traveled to Healthcare Services: Implications for Public Health Research and Practice
Reviews different definitions and designations of rurality in relation to resident characteristics in a sample of 8 central Texas counties. Discusses the impact that rural definitions can have on research findings and health policy.
Author(s): Matthew Lee Smith, Justin B. Dickerson, Monica L. Wendel, et al.
Citation: Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2013, 960157
Date: 06/2013
Type: Document
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Diffusion of Preventive Innovation: Racial and Rural Differences in Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control Practices
Examines differences in receipt of cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination associated with rural/urban residence and race/ethnicity. Discusses how access to preventive services can affect disparities in cervical cancer rates and how innovative screening methods may reduce disparities. Provides policy recommendations.
Additional links: Fact Sheet
Author(s): Swann Arp Adams, Jessica D. Bellinger, Alexa Gallagher, Janice C. Probst
Date: 05/2013
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural and Minority Health Research Center (formerly the South Carolina Rural Health Research Center)
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