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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural definitions

Definitions of "Rural" in Texas Statutes and the Texas Administrative Code
Details the various definitions of rural used by the state of Texas. Features maps illustrating the counties considered rural by each definition.
Date: 04/2018
Sponsoring organization: Texas Legislative Council
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Greater Minnesota: Refined & Revisited
Provides information on the composition of Minnesota's geography by urban, large town, small town, and rural based on population and proximity to other communities. Examines economics, demographics, and general well-being of the different population areas with explanation of how they are defined. Includes county-level maps breaking down demographic variables by population size as well as data tables that show population changes by county.
Date: 01/2017
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota State Demographic Center
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Rurality Matters
An overview of a Census Bureau identification of counties as mostly urban, mostly rural, and completely rural, based on 2010 Census data. Includes charts showing selected statistics by rurality for adults and children, using 2011-2015 American Community Survey data.
Author(s): Kelly Ann Holder, Alison Fields, Daphne Lofquist
Date: 12/2016
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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Defining Rural at the U.S. Census Bureau
An overview of how the Census Bureau has defined rural in the past, the current way urban/rural areas are identified by the Census, and the relationship between decennial censuses, the American Community Survey (ACS), and geography.
Author(s): Michael Ratcliffe, Charlynn Burd, Kelly Holder, Alison Fields
Date: 12/2016
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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Definition of Frontier
Policy paper discussing the various definitions of frontier and the methodologies for determining the different definitions. Offers support to state and federal programs in their selection of the most appropriate definition to attain their program goals.
Author(s): Susan Wilger
Date: 02/2016
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Rhode Island: Key Determinants of Rural Health
An assessment and review of the health needs, behaviors, and status of rural populations in Rhode Island. Identifies places of need and recognizes the challenges prevalent in rural areas. Can be used as a tool to develop strategies and allocate resources targeted to underserved areas of the state.
Author(s): Katelyn Edel
Date: 2016
Sponsoring organization: Rhode Island Office of Primary Care and Rural Health
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Rationalizing Rural Area Classifications for the Economic Research Service: A Workshop Summary
Summarizes an April 2015 workshop that explored the data, estimation, and policy issues related to rural classifications currently in use by the Economic Research Service (ERS): Rural Urban Continuum Codes (RUCCs), Urban Influence Codes (UICs), Rural Urban Community Area (RUCA) codes, and Frontier and Remote (FAR) codes.
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): Committee on National Statistics
Date: 2016
Sponsoring organization: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Micropolitan America: A New and Critical Part of the Nation's Geography
Provides an overview of the micropolitan designation, highlighting important features and demographics. Also presents a preliminary agenda for future research and seeks to engage others in a national initiative that will further the understanding of micropolitan areas.
Author(s): Sam M. Cordes, J. Matthew Fannin
Date: 11/2015
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute
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Federally Designated Rural Areas in Maryland
Shows the locations of federally designated rural areas in Maryland.
Date: 10/2015
Sponsoring organization: Maryland Department of Health
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Rural Residence and Cancer Outcomes in the US: Issues and Challenges
Analyzes the current literature regarding outcomes of cancer patients who live in rural locations. Discusses several methods of defining rural.
Author(s): Ashley Meilleur, S.V. Subramanian, Jesse J. Plascak, et al.
Citation: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 22(10), 1657-1667
Date: 10/2013
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