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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Childhood Immunization During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Texas
Examines childhood vaccination in Texas, comparing rates between May 2010 and May 2020 for rural and urban counties using data from the Texas Immunization Registry. Discusses trends in immunization rates in relation to the risk of vaccine-preventable disease infections.
Author(s): Tasmiah Nuzhath, Kobi V. Ajayi, Qiping Fan, et al.
Citation: Vaccine, 39(25), 3333–3337
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
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The Road to Equity: Examining Structural Racism in Health Care
Recordings of a 2-day forum on health equity, structural racism in healthcare, and the role of federal agencies in responding to issues of inequity. Day 2 includes a presentation on rural-specific issues including health disparities, access to healthcare, facility closures and workforce issues.
Additional links: Day 1 Transcript, Day 2 Recording, Day 2 Transcript
Date: 04/2021
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: CDC's Office of Minority Health & Health Equity
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Maternal Mortality and Morbidity: Additional Efforts Needed to Assess Program Data for Rural and Underserved Areas
Provides an overview of maternal health disparities in rural and underserved areas, as well as health system, socioeconomic, and patient factors that can contribute to maternal health outcomes. Includes information on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) programs implemented to reduced maternal morbidity and severe maternal mortality. Describes how CDC and HRSA use the data they collect and offers recommendations to improve the utilization of this data and coordination across federal agencies.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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The Clinical Laboratory Workforce: Understanding the Challenges to Meeting Current and Future Needs
Explores workforce needs of the U.S. laboratory medicine field, including recruitment and retention, expanding the visibility of clinical laboratory careers, and promoting diversity and inclusion. Summarizes a literature review and data analysis based on interviews with informants in clinical laboratory education and professional programs. Discusses rural-specific barriers to recruitment and retention.
Author(s): Edna C. Garcia, Grace A. Guenther, Susan M. Skillman, Bianca K. Frogner
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: American Society for Clinical Pathology, UW Center for Health Workforce Studies
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Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Services: Key Findings from the 2020 KFF Women's Health Survey
Presents selected findings from the 2020 KFF Women's Health Survey with a focus on coverage and use of reproductive and sexual health services. Discusses the use and coverage of contraceptives, access to sexual and reproductive healthcare, sexual and reproductive health counseling and education, and more. Includes rural data throughout.
Author(s): Brittni Frederiksen, Usha Ranji, Alina Salganicoff, Michelle Long
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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HIV and Hepatitis C in Rural Areas: Prevalence, Service Availability, and Challenges
Webinar recording discusses the prevalence of HIV and maternal hepatitis C in rural communities. Compares infection rates in rural versus urban areas and highlights changes over time. Makes recommendations regarding testing, treatment, and harm reduction services.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Video Recording, Webinar Transcript
Date: 04/2021
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Research Gateway
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Health Workforce Strategies for California: A Review of the Evidence
Examines literature and evidence on healthcare workforce strategies, discussing workforce issues in urban and rural areas in California. Describes the impacts of pipeline, scholarship, loan repayment, professional training, and residency programs, including rural-specific considerations.
Author(s): Diane Rittenhouse, Alexandra Ament, Janet Genevro, Kara Contreary
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: California Health Care Foundation, Mathematica
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Demographics and Disability Status of Adults Living Alone in Rural Areas
Policy brief examining differences in age and disability status of people who live alone in rural and urban areas. Describes health impacts of living alone and explores American Community Survey (ACS) data from 2014-2018 to represent demographic characteristics and prevalence of disabilities for rural and urban adults living alone.
Author(s): Jonathan Schroeder, Carrie Henning-Smith, Mariana Tuttle
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Trends in Singleton Preterm Birth by Rural Status in the U.S., 2012-2018
Policy brief showing variations in preterm birth by demographics, payment method, and participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) during pregnancy. Features statistics with breakdowns by 5 levels of population density.
Author(s): Maria J. Perez-Patron, Robin L. Page, Samson Olowolaju, Brandie D. Taylor
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
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Influenza and Pertussis Vaccination Rates Among Pregnant Women in Rural and Urban Areas
Analyzes patterns of prenatal vaccination among pregnant women from 2012-2018, using data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System. Features demographics and statistics on influenza and pertussis vaccine uptake prior to and during pregnancy, with breakdowns by urban and rural location.
Author(s): Annette Regan, Ravneet Kaur, Timothy Callaghan
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
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