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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Rural Communities at Risk: Widening Health Disparities Present New Challenges in Aftermath of Pandemic
Describes the health status, health disparities, and socioeconomic disparities of vulnerable rural communities. Analyzes the relationship between rural community vulnerability and the stability of the rural health safety net. Includes information on racial health disparities within rural communities.
Date: 07/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: The Chartis Group
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Access to Affordable Care in Rural America: Current Trends and Key Challenges
Describes geographic and demographic challenges that contribute to healthcare access and health disparities in rural areas. Covers patterns of insurance coverage between rural and urban areas, healthcare provider shortages, and rural hospital vulnerability and closures. Discusses programs and services supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reduce barriers to care in rural communities, including telehealth, healthcare workforce programs, and Rural Health Clinics and community health centers.
Author(s): Gina Turrini, D.Keith Branham, Lucy Chen, et al.
Date: 07/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Urban-Rural Differences in Dental Care Use Among Adults Aged 18-64
Reports on dental visits for rural and urban populations in 2019, providing data from the National Health Interview Survey based on gender, race and ethnicity, and income relative to the federal poverty level.
Author(s): Amy E. Cha, Robin A. Cohen
Date: 07/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Clinical Knowledge and Trends in Physicians' Prescribing of Opioids for New Onset Back Pain, 2009-2017
Results of a study of 10,246 physicians to compare the association of clinical knowledge with opioid prescribing from the years 2009-2011 with 2015-2017, when guidelines shifted away from opioid prescribing. Features demographic statistics with breakdowns by rural location.
Author(s): Bradley M. Gray, Jonathan L. Vandergrift, Weifeng Weng, Rebecca S. Lipner, Michael L. Barnett
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 4(7)
Date: 07/2021
Type: Document
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Association of the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes Project With Use of Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatment Among US Adults With Hepatitis C
Results of a study of 267,908 patients to examine the association between Project ECHO and use of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban or rural location.
Author(s): Linh Tran, Roger Feldman, Thomas Riley, Jeah Jung
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 4(7)
Date: 07/2021
Type: Document
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QuickStats: Percentage of Adults Aged ≥18 Years with Diagnosed Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, by Urbanization Level and Age Group — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2019
Bar chart comparing diagnosed COPD for metropolitan and nonmetro areas by age group for ages 18-44, 45-64, and 65 or older.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(26), 959
Date: 07/2021
Type: Chart/Graph
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Change in U.S. Employment from 12 Months Earlier in Metro and Nonmetro areas, January 2019 to April 2021
Line chart showing the change in employment compared to 12 months earlier, for metropolitan and nonmetro areas.
Date: 07/2021
Type: Chart/Graph
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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The Arizona Behavioral Health Workforce Report
Reports on the distribution of the behavioral health workforce in Arizona and access to behavioral healthcare, comparing rural and urban areas. Discusses prevalence of mental health disorders and substance misuse disorder and compares workforce data to behavioral health needs for the state. Offers county-level data on total providers by type, ratio of providers per 100,000 residents, and provider percentages by Rural Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) codes.
Author(s): B. Koch, S. Coates, B. Brady, J. Peters, D. Derksen
Date: 07/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Arizona Center for Rural Health
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The COVID-19 Pandemic and Rural America
Provides an overview of how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted rural areas. Includes charts and maps showing the spread of COVID-19 in rural areas and unemployment during the pandemic.
Date: 07/2021
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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U.S. Monthly Unemployment Rates in Metro and Nonmetro Areas, January 2007 to April 2021
Line chart show unemployment rates for metropolitan and nonmetro areas.
Date: 07/2021
Type: Chart/Graph
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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