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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

In Rural Areas, Population Gains from Net Migration Have Exceeded Losses from Natural Decrease
Bar chart showing metro and nonmetro population change overall, change due to net migration (moves in and out), and due to natural change (births and deaths) for July 2019-June 2020, July 2020-June 2021, and July 2021-June 2022.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Trends in the Prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Among Adults Aged ≥18 Years — United States, 2011–2021
Reports on trends and differences in self-reported physician-diagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among U.S. adults 18 years of age and older. Includes data for metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore areas. Includes discussion of COPD-related needs and challenges in rural areas.
Author(s): Yong Liu, Susan A. Carlson, Kathleen B. Watson, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 72(46), 1250-1256
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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NSDUH (National Survey on Drug Use and Health) Detailed Tables - 2022
Explores 2022 survey data, including revisions, on use of illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, trends in substance use disorder and mental health, and access to treatment for youth and adults. Features statistics for a variety of demographic and geographic characteristics, including rural versus urban status. Includes information on substance use and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Declines in Influenza Vaccination Coverage Among Health Care Personnel in Acute Care Hospitals During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, 2017–2023
Examines influenza vaccinations among health care personnel (HCP) prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Provides data on facility-level influenza vaccination levels among HCP for 3 years during the prepandemic period (2017-2020) and 3 years during the pandemic (2020-2023), broken down by HCP type and rural, suburban, or urban location.
Author(s): Hoody Lymon, Lu Meng, Hannah E. Reses, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 72(45), 1244-1247
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Influenza and Up-to-Date COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Among Health Care Personnel — National Healthcare Safety Network, United States, 2022–23 Influenza Season
Provides data on influenza and COVID-19 vaccination among health care personnel (HCP) during the 2022-2023 influenza season. Presents vaccination data of HCP in nursing homes and acute care hospitals, broken down by staff type, facility size, rural versus urban location, social vulnerability index, and region. Includes state-level maps of HCP vaccination percentages.
Author(s): Jeneita Bell, Lu Meng, Kira Barbre, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 72(45), 1237-1243
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Geographic Variation in Health Insurance Coverage: United States, 2022
Reports on rates of people who had private health insurance, public insurance, and who were uninsured according to the 2022 National Health Interview Survey. Presents coverage rates by urbanization level for adults aged 18-64 and for children aged 0-17.
Author(s): Emily P. Terlizzi, Robin A. Cohen
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Malnutrition-Related Mortality Trends in Older Adults in the United States from 1999 to 2020
Analyzes trends in malnutrition mortality from 1999 to 2020 in adults over 65 years old. Examines mortality rates broken down by sex, race, Census region, age group, and location on the urban-rural continuum.
Author(s): Naydeen Mostafa, Ahmed Sayed, Omar Rashad, Omar Baqal
Citation: BMC Medicine, 21, 421
Date: 11/2023
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Evaluation of the Medicare Care Choices Model: Fifth and Final Annual Evaluation Report
Evaluates the Medicare Care Choice Model (MCCM), which tests whether offering eligible Medicare beneficiaries the option to receive supportive services without forgoing payment for treatment of their terminal conditions improved their quality of life and care, increased patient and family satisfaction, and reduced Medicare expenditures. Describes the characteristics of participating hospices and withdrawal of providers over time; beneficiaries who were referred to, eligible for, and enrolled in MCCM; services provided and the quality of service delivery; transitions from MCCM to the Medicare hospice benefit; beneficiary outcomes and effects across subgroups; and key findings. Includes information on rural provider and beneficiary participation in the model and compares rural and urban beneficiary outcomes.
Additional links: Findings at a Glance, Participant Experience & Evaluation Results Video
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Mathematica
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Beliefs about Dementia and Risk Reducing Behavior: An Empirical Analysis of Adults Age 40 and Above in the Midwest, Metro versus Nonmetro
Examines beliefs and perceptions of Midwesterners regarding dementia and related disease-mitigating behaviors. Utilizes 2021 AARP data to analyze perception of memory problems, use of medication, mental sharpness, beliefs about dementia, and risk reduction, broken down by metro or nonmetro location.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
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Medicare Advantage Enrollment Update 2023
Reports on the percentage of rural Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan location and plan type, from 2014-2023.
Author(s): Edmer Lazaro, Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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