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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Still Searching: Meeting Oral Health Needs in Rural Settings
Report discusses oral health access in rural areas. Compares barriers to care in rural, suburban, and urban communities. Highlights teledentistry use and insurance rates, among other factors.
Author(s): Paige Martin, Morgan Santoro, Lisa J. Heaton, et al.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
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Pre-Pandemic Assessment: A Decade of Progress in Electronic Health Record Adoption among U.S. Hospitals
Assessment of trends in electronic health record adoption between 2009 and 2020. Compares hospitals by rurality, size, ownership, and more. Discusses the impacts of COVID-19.
Author(s): John (Xuefeng) Jiang, Kangkang Qi, Ge Bai, Kevin Schulman
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 1(5)
Date: 11/2023
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Cumulative Environmental Quality Is Associated with Breast Cancer Incidence Differentially by Summary Stage and Urbanicity
Identifies associations between environmental factors and breast cancer stages in North Carolina using the Environmental Quality Index (EQI). EQI factors include air, water, land, sociodemographic, and built environments. Includes analysis of urbanicity, race, screenings, and tobacco use.
Author(s): Larisa M. Gearhart-Serna, Brittany A. Mills, Hillary Hsu, et al.
Citation: Scientific Reports, 13, 20301
Date: 11/2023
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Pharmaceuticalization of Obesity: Empirical Analysis of Metro and Nonmetro Populations, Cognitions and Behavior
Examines perceptions, attitudes, and behavioral intentions related to obesity medications in metro and nonmetro areas. Utilizes 2023 data from Kaiser Family Foundation's Health Tracking Poll to analyze weight loss drug prescriptions across demographic groups.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
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Why Do Older, White, Rural Residents Have Slower Broadband Speeds?
Evaluates the role of age and rurality in slower broadband speeds for older, white, rural residents. Discusses the concept of a reverse digital divide.
Author(s): Robert Gallardo
Citation: The Daily Yonder
Date: 11/2023
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Cross-Sectional Population-Based Estimates of a Rural-Urban Disparity in Prevalence of Long COVID Among Michigan Adults With Polymerase Chain Reaction-Confirmed COVID-19, 2020–2022
Explores the potential correlation between rurality and experiencing long COVID. Uses the Michigan COVID-19 Recovery Surveillance Study to compare COVID recovery times in rural and urban areas. Breaks down data by age, socioeconomic status, and access to healthcare, among other measures.
Author(s): Colleen L. MacCallum-Bridges, Jana L. Hirschtick, Kristi L. Allgood, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 40(2), 303-313
Date: 11/2023
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U.S. Unemployment Rates for the Prime-Working-Age Population (Ages 25 to 54) in Metro and Nonmetro Areas by Race/Ethnicity, 2007 and 2019–22
Bar chart showing metro and nonmetro unemployment rates in 2007, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 for the following populations aged 25-54: White, Black or African American, and Hispanic or Latino.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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U.S. Labor Force Participation Rates in Metro and Nonmetro Areas by Age Groups, 2007 and 2019–22
Bar chart showing metro and nonmetro labor force participation in 2007, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 by age group for those aged 16-24, 25-64, and 65 and older.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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U.S. Employment in Metro and Nonmetro Areas, 2007–22
Line chart showing U.S. employment in metro and nonmetro areas from 2007 through 2022, as a percent of 2007 employment.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Impact of Geography and Rurality on Preconception Health Status in the United States
Examines preconception health risk and disparities in women aged 18 to 44 years according to health factors, health behaviors, and sociodemographics. Utilizes 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data to assess for preconception health risk with results broken down by race, age, education, insurance status, income, rural versus urban, and regional location.
Author(s): Madison D. Haiman, Catherine Cubbin
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 20
Date: 11/2023
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