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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural definitions

Resources for Measuring Rurality in Research on Maternity Care
Explores how different measures of rurality influence research outcomes, with a focus on maternal health research. Describes multiple measures and definitions commonly employed to categorize rural populations. Discusses the implications of these definitions for research, public health interventions, and policy formulation.
Author(s): Katy B. Kozhimannil, Emily C. Sheffield, Mary-Jane Adole, et al.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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RHCs, FQHCs, Tribal Clinics and CAHs in Rural Oregon
Shows a county-level map of Oregon identifying the Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), tribal clinics, and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Highlights rural, urban, and frontier areas.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: Oregon Office of Rural Health
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Reconceptualizing Rurality: Exploring Community Capital to Identify Distinct Rural Classes in the United States
Analyzes latent classes of rurality within population health settings, identifying 4 rural classes and examining contextual characteristics and degree of social vulnerability for each class.
Author(s): Jennifer L. Cruz, Douglas A. Luke, Rachel M. Ceballos, Shoba Ramanadhan, Karen M. Emmons
Citation: SSM - Population Health, 29, 101729
Date: 12/2024
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Rural Health Research in the 21st Century: A Commentary on Challenges and the Role of Digital Technology
A commentary that discusses barriers to defining rurality, the complexity of rural culture, and the importance of digital equity in rural communities.
Author(s): Mairead Moloney, Jasmine Rubio, Israel Palencia, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41, e12903
Date: 12/2024
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A Qualitative Study Defining Perspectives on Rurality and Surgery From Midwestern Medical Schools
Examines beliefs, priorities, and knowledge related to rural surgical practice among medical students in Midwestern medical schools. Presents responses from a survey of 411 students at 11 schools. Compares responses between rural and nonrural students on topics including rural definitions, challenges and benefits of rural general surgery, and more.
Author(s): Chad Z. Simon, Tasha Sparks Joplin, Zachary Meade, et al.
Citation: Journal of Surgical Research, 302, 906-915
Date: 10/2024
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Pennsylvania Population Projections 2050: Analysis of Future Youth
Fact sheet examining the current and future population trends of youth ages 0-19 in Pennsylvania. Features statistics on historical and projected growth in Pennsylvania youth population by age cohort for rural and urban counties from 1990-2050 and a county-level map showing changes in youth population from 2000-2020
Date: 09/2024
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Changes to Population Distribution and Commuting Patterns Blur the Line Between Rural and Urban
Highlights the change in commuting patterns between rural workers and urban areas and describes the impact on rural communities and economies. Discusses the multiple definitions of rural.
Author(s): Earlene K.P. Dowell
Date: 08/2024
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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Performance of Health Care Service Area Definitions for Capturing Variation in Inpatient Care and Social Determinants of Health
Examines various health care service area (HCSA) definitions and their ability to capture hospitalizations and social determinants of health (SDOH) heterogeneity in the patient population. Provides descriptive characteristics for each HCSA type, such as median population and land size, as well as characteristics of the hospital sample. Discusses which HCSA type was best able to capture hospital discharges and population heterogenity in rural areas.
Author(s): Hannah Crook, Manuel Horta, Kenneth A. Michelson, John A. Graves
Citation: Health Services Research, 59(4)
Date: 08/2024
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Core Based Statistical Areas
Provides an overview of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs). Identifies key terms related to CBSAs, including central counties, metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas, outlying counties, and more. Includes information on revisions and updates to CBSAs, relevant legislation, and issues of interest for Congress.
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Promoting Rural Financial Well-Being and Inclusion: Aligning Strategies with Community Needs
Provides measures for financial well-being and defines assets across rural county types, such as high-employment agricultural areas, centers of wealth and health, recreational and cultural areas, and more, and includes economic indicators like income and home ownership rate for each county type. Discusses challenges to financial well-being, strategies to improve economies, and policy considerations.
Author(s): Yipeng Su, Anna Morgan
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: Urban Institute
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