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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Disparities in Patient Portal Access by U.S. Adults Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Reports on a population-based survey to determine if socio-demographic disparities exist in accessing online patient portals. Using data from the 2020 U.S. Health Information National Trends Survey, insured adults who had a medical visit in the previous 12 months were asked about their knowledge, access, and use of online medical records. Demographic characteristics of patients who were offered access, and for patients who accessed online portals are compared. Reasons for not using an online portal are discussed. Compares online patient portal use by selected patient characteristics, including demographic characteristics, metro vs nonmetro/rural location, insurance type, use of internet, and quality of care.
Author(s): Akira Nishii, Celeste Campos-Castillo, Denise Anthony
Citation: JAMIA Open, 5(4)
Date: 12/2022
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The Economic Contributions of North Carolina's Health Systems and Hospitals
Presents information for 137 hospital facilities in North Carolina, including number of jobs, wage income, total value added, taxes that result from health system and hospital operations, and community benefits such as reduced cost care. Features statistics including numbers of hospitals and beds, with breakdowns by rural, suburban, and urban areas.
Additional links: Two-Page Summary
Author(s): Sara Nienow, Rizwaan Lakhani, Michael Hogan, Chrystall Davis, Jared Woollacott,
Date: 12/2022
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Healthcare Association
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Office of Rural Health and Primary Care Spotlight: Telehealth in Minnesota
Examines changes in telehealth use before COVID-19 compared to 2021 through 2022 in Minnesota. Provides data on telehealth use by profession, healthcare setting, frequency, and urban, micropolitan, small town, or rural/isolated location.
Date: 12/2022
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
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Improving Rural Health Through Telehealth-Guided Provider-to-Provider Communication
Presents the results of a comprehensive literature review to identify, summarize, and evaluate available research on the contributions of rural provider-to-provider telehealth communication and collaboration in addressing health disparities, and improving the health of rural populations. Topics cover the specific applications, effectiveness, implementation, sustainability, and barriers and facilitators of provider-to-provider telehealth in rural areas.
Additional links: Executive Summary, Full Report, Telehealth's Potential To Benefit Rural Healthcare Delivery: Infographic 1, Telehealth's Potential To Benefit Rural Healthcare Delivery: Infographic 2
Author(s): Annette Totten, Dana M. Womack, Marian S. McDonagh, et al.
Date: 12/2022
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Emerging Adults Voice their Lived Experience: State of Hawai`i Substance Use System of Care Needs Assessment focused on Emerging Adults
Reports on a culturally responsive needs assessment focused on the substance use system in Hawaii and the experiences of emerging adults aged 18 to 29. Discusses qualitative data from behavioral health professionals as well as 24 emerging adults who have lived experiences with substance use disorder (SUD). Includes participants from various geographic areas with quotes from respective participants labeled by their rural or urban location.
Author(s): Susana Helm, Tai-An Miao, James Taylor, et al.
Date: 12/2022
Sponsoring organization: State of Hawai`i Department of Health, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Division
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2022 Communications Marketplace Report
Examines the state of competition across the broader communications marketplace, as well as laws, regulations, regulatory practices, or marketplace practices that pose a barrier to competitive entry and expansion of the marketplace. Identifies an emerging set of issues and opportunities presented by changes made in response to COVID-19. Includes data on tribal and rural areas throughout, including trends in broadband adoption and the percentage of households with multiple provider options between 2018-2021.
Date: 12/2022
Sponsoring organization: Federal Communications Commission
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National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2020 Emergency Department Summary Tables
Provides data on ambulatory care emergency department (ED) hospital visits. Table 1 provides metropolitan/nonmetropolitan ED visit data based on hospital location.
Date: 12/2022
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Disparities in Current Cigarette Smoking among Us Adults with Mental Health Conditions
Examines the prevalence of smoking among adults with reported mental health conditions. Analyzes 19,398 respondents from the 2019 and 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health and breaks down the data state-by-state as well as by age, sex, sexual orientation, education, disability, annual income, marriage status, health insurance and employment status, having been arrested in the past 12 months, and large metro, small metro, and nonmetro/rural area.
Author(s): Caitlin G. Loretan, Teresa W. Wang, Christina V. Watson, Ahmed Jamal
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 19
Date: 12/2022
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COVID-19 Working Paper: Consumer Food Spending Changes During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Examines U.S. consumer food-at-home (FAH) and food-away-from home (FAFH) purchasing behaviors prior to 2016-2019 and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020). Provides spending data for U.S. households by age, race and ethnicity, household composition, income, and region. Includes budget share data for fruits, vegetables, and protein, and per capita spending on FAH and FAFH by region and urban/rural areas.
Author(s): Abigail Okrent, Eliana Zeballos
Date: 12/2022
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Disparities in Virtual Cardiology Visits Among Veterans Health Administration Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Presents the results of a study to determine how the COVID-19 pandemic, during the first year, influenced the digital divide for patients using virtual and video-based care in Veterans Health Administration (VA) cardiology clinics across the U.S. Study examined sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, drive time to care, geographic location – rural and urban – and encounter type to determine changes in access to care by video, phone, and face-to-face.
Author(s): Rebecca L. Tisdale, Jacqueline Ferguson, James Van Campen, et al.
Citation: JAMIA Open, 5(4)
Date: 12/2022
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