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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Public health

Local Health Department Approaches to Opioid Use Prevention and Response: An Environmental Scan
Summarizes the results of an environmental scan of 198 local health departments (LHDs) regarding their local opioid overdose prevention and response activities. Reports and compares statistics by governance and the size of the population the LHD serves. Discusses efforts and activities related to workforce, clinical and programmatic services, policy, communication, partnership, and data collection. Includes LHD stories from the field.
Author(s): Kamya Raja, Francis Higgins
Date: 07/2019
Sponsoring organization: National Association of County and City Health Officials
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Use of Mass Communication by Public Health Programs in Nonmetropolitan Regions
Essay describing the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's efforts to encourage health departments, tribes, universities, and community-based organizations in rural areas to use mass communications as a tool to address racial and ethnic disparities.
Author(s): Jennifer M. Kreslake, Allison Elkins, Christopher N. Thomas, Suzanne Gates, Thomas Lehman
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 16
Date: 07/2019
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State-Level and County-Level Estimates of Health Care Costs Associated with Food Insecurity
Results of a study to estimate state- and county-level healthcare costs associated with food insecurity, using data from the 2011-2013 National Health Interview Survey/Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Features statistics including demographic characteristics of participants, with breakdown by location in a nonmetropolitan area.
Author(s): Seth A. Berkowitz, Sanjay Basu, Craig Gundersen, Hilary K. Seligman
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 16
Date: 07/2019
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Opportunities and Challenges Addressing Access to Healthy Food in Five Rural Louisiana Food Stores
Results of a rural food store intervention implemented in 3 Louisiana parishes where obesity prevalence was greater than 40%. Describes implications for public health and offers recommendations for future interventions.
Author(s): Michelle Kendall, Stephanie T. Broyles, Jamila Freightman, Melissa Cater, Denise Holston
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 16
Date: 07/2019
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Facilitators and Barriers to the Implementation of the HPV VACs (Vaccinate Adolescents Against Cancers) Program: A Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research Analysis
Results of a study examining the delivery of the human papillomavirus virus (HPV) vaccine in a primary care setting, using data from telephone interviews with representatives of 9 Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) systems. Features statistics including characteristics of the FQHCs, with breakdowns by urban, suburban, rural, or mixed locations.
Author(s): Cam Escoffery, Kara Riehman, Lesley Watson, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 16
Date: 07/2019
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Federal Highway Traffic Safety Policies: Impacts and Opportunities
Examines the impact of federal highway safety policies. Includes data on crashes, fatalities, seat belt use, motorcycle helmet use, alcohol use, and more. Provides some data and discussion related to rural drivers.
Date: 07/2019
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Unintentional Injury Death Rates in Rural and Urban Areas: United States, 1999–2017
Examines trends in unintentional injury deaths from 1999 through 2017. Provides urban versus rural age-adjusted death rates related to motor vehicle traffic injuries, unintentional drug overdoses, and unintentional falls, with data for 2014 and 2017.
Author(s): R. Henry Olaisen, Lauren M. Rossen, Margaret Warner, Robert N. Anderson
Date: 07/2019
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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California American Indian/Alaska Native Maternal and Infant Health Status Report
Report details the maternal and infant vital statistics for American Indians and Alaska Natives in California. Highlights data pertaining to AI/AN infant and maternal health on the county-level and by demographic, such as age, marital status, and education.
Date: 06/2019
Sponsoring organization: California Department of Public Health
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Using Local Data on Adults Aged 18 to 64 to Tailor Interventions for Blood Pressure Medication Adherence in Maine
Demonstrates how mapping can be used to target specific populations for public health interventions, thereby assuring effective use of limited funding. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention developed a map using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to determine where and how to administer programs to increase adherence to a prescribed course of medical treatment for hypertension among adults aged 18 to 64. Nearly half of the counties identified with low medication adherence rates were rural.
Author(s): Caitlin Pizzonia, David Pied, Sara L. Huston, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 16
Date: 06/2019
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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A Qualitative Study Identifying Barriers and Facilitators of Physical Activity in Rural Communities
Highlights a study on physical activity rates and structural impediments and advantages within rural communities that affect those rates. Bases findings on interviews with rural adults in southeast Missouri. Examines the attitudes and concerns about physical activity and makes suggestions for future interventions.
Author(s): Amanda S. Gilbert, Dixie D. Duncan, Alan M. Beck, Amy A. Eyler, Ross C. Brownson
Citation: Journal of Environmental and Public Health, (2019)
Date: 06/2019
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