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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Public health

Using Network and Spatial Data to Better Target Overdose Prevention Strategies in Rural Appalachia
Highlights a study aiming to target individuals most likely to need overdose interventions in rural Appalachia. Examines survey data for spatial and networking patterns in rural eastern Kentucky to identify individuals at risk of a drug overdose.
Author(s): Abby E. Rudolph, April M. Young, Jennifer R. Havens
Citation: Journal of Urban Health, 96(1), 27-37
Date: 02/2019
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Strengthening Rural States' Capacity to Prepare for and Respond to Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2013-2015
Provides information for clinicians working in rural areas to effectively identify and respond to infectious disease. Highlights how state and local public health agencies from states having a high percentage of populations in rural areas, with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have successfully strengthened their ability to respond to the growing threat of infectious diseases.
Author(s): Scott Santibañez, Kimberly Spencer Bellis, Allison Bay, et al.
Citation: Southern Medical Journal, 112(2), 101-105
Date: 02/2019
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U.S. Public Health Response to the Measles Outbreak
Offers a testimony from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases as part of the February 27, 2019, U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing titled "Confronting a Growing Public Health Threat: Measles Outbreaks in the U.S." Addresses vaccines; the outbreak of measles; U.S. immunization programs and policies; and challenges to preventing vaccine preventative diseases, including disparities in rural areas.
Author(s): Nancy Messonnier
Date: 02/2019
Sponsoring organization: House Committee on Energy and Commerce
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Health System Interventions to Prevent Firearms Injuries and Death: Proceedings of a Workshop
Summarizes the proceedings of a workshop focused on how healthcare systems can reduce gun violence and injuries. Discusses the impact of health systems on the reduction, ways to identify high risk individuals, health system interventions, program examples, and more. Addresses rural in several chapters, including firearm homicide and suicide rates for rural and urban areas, a VA program targeting rural veterans at risk for suicide, a study of gun behavior in Alaska Native populations, and recommendations from a rural physician.
Additional links: Interactive Overview of Workshop Proceedings, Read Online
Author(s): Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice
Date: 02/2019
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Health Equity in New Mexico: 13th Edition
Provides information about the health status of various population groups throughout New Mexico and educates readers on the state's health equity issues. Designed to help policymakers and other stakeholders implement strategies that reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes for all New Mexicans. Includes information and statistics specific to New Mexico's rural regions.
Date: 01/2019
Sponsoring organization: New Mexico Department of Health
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Community-Wide Efforts to Improve the Consumer Food Environment and Physical Activity Resources in Rural Kentucky
Highlights the efforts of a community project in Kentucky to increase access to healthy foods and opportunities to be physically active. Details the project's work with grocery store managers to increase the availability of healthy food and with community members to develop and improve physical activity resources.
Author(s): Alison Gustafson, Margaret McGladrey,Tammy Stephenson, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 16:180322
Date: 01/2019
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Association of Pharmaceutical Industry Marketing of Opioid Products With Mortality From Opioid-Related Overdoses
Highlights a study on the correlation between the marketing of opioids and opioid overdose mortality at a county-level. Breaks down data by participants' age, census region, and metro versus nonmetro location, among other factors.
Author(s): Scott E. Hadland, Ariadne Rivera-Aguirre, Brandon D. L. Marshall, Magdalena Cerdá
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 2(1)
Date: 01/2019
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Rural Health Care Access: Research Report
Summarizes rural health priorities for rural and Appalachian counties to assist local public health departments in Ohio with the public health accreditation process. Provides information on access to healthcare services in rural and Appalachian counties and covers strategies to improve access to care.
Author(s): Michele Morrone, Cory Cronin, Shannon Nicks, Kristin Schuller
Date: 01/2019
Sponsoring organization: The Appalachian Institute to Advance Health Equity Science
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Comparison of US County-Level Public Health Performance Rankings With County Cluster and National Rankings: Assessment Based on Prevalence Rates of Smoking and Obesity and Motor Vehicle Crash Death Rates
Compares county-level percentile rankings on outcomes of smoking, motor vehicle crash deaths, and obesity, using demographic and health data from the 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and the 2016 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation County Health Rankings data set. Features a map of sociodemographic-based county clusters and a table showing cluster variance and average percentile change, with breakdowns including 4 categories of rural status.
Author(s): Megan Wallace, Joshua M. Sharfstein, Joshua Kaminsky, Justin Lessler
Citation: JAMA Network Open 2(1)
Date: 01/2019
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A Short Report: Parents HPV Vaccine Knowledge in Rural South Florida
Summarizes a pilot study in 2 rural counties of Florida, examining parents' human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine knowledge and hesitancy. Provides data and statistics showing relationships between parents' demographics and parental knowledge of HPV vaccination as well as child vaccination with HPV vaccine. Offers suggestions on how to decrease HPV vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccination rates in rural areas.
Author(s): Tami L. Thomas, Michelle Caldera, Jeffrey Maurer
Citation: Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 15(7-8), 1666-1671
Date: 2019
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