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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

COVID-19 Vaccination Willingness and Uptake among Rural Black/African American, Latino, and White Adults
Compares rural and nonrural adults' willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19. Includes descriptive graphs showing reasons for their willingness or unwillingness among rural adults.
Author(s): Paula D. Strassle, Alexis L. Green, Caleb A. Colbert, Anita L. Stewart, Anna M. Nápoles
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 39(4), 756-764
Date: 2023
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Higher Hospitalization and Mortality Rates Among SARS-CoV-2-Infected Persons in Rural America
Presents a study on hospitalizations for COVID-19 based on rurality. Breaks down data for rural, urban-adjacent rural, and urban by age, sex, comorbidities, and outcome, among other measures.
Author(s): Alfred Jerrod Anzalone, Ronald Horswell, Brian M. Hendricks, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 39(1), 39-54
Date: 2023
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Urban-Rural Disparities in Childhood Obesogenic Environments in the United States: Application of Differing Rural Definitions
Analyzes rural versus urban differences in food and physical activity (PA) environments that contribute to childhood obesogenic environment index (COEI) scores. Utilizes multiple data sources to examine 6 food environment variables and 4 PA variables by rural-urban continuum codes, among other rural definitions. Discusses differences in COEI scores and implications for public health practices.
Author(s): Marilyn E. Wende, M. Renée Umstattd Meyer, Christiaan Abildso, Kara Davis, Andrew T. Kaczynski
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 39(1), 121-135
Date: 2023
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Disparities in Access to Radiation Therapy by Race and Ethnicity in the United States With Focus on American Indian/Alaska Native People
Explores access to radiation therapy American Indian and Alaska Native people across the U.S. Explores travel distances to receive radiation therapy for AI/AN majority and non-AI/AN majority groups. Breaks down data by Indian Health Service region.
Author(s): Solmaz Amiri, Matthew D. Greer, Clemma J. Muller, et al.
Citation: Value in Health, 25(12), 1929-1938
Date: 12/2022
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Personal Care Assistance in Rural America
Discusses Personal Care Aide (PCA) scarcity in rural areas using 2013-2017 American Community Survey data. Presents maps and graphs of self-care disability prevalence and PCA availability with breakdowns by region. Also provides graphs comparing rural and urban PCA demographics, including poverty rate, race, educational attainment, sex, age, language spoken at home, and U.S. or foreign place of birth.
Author(s): Lillie Greiman, Rayna A. Sage, Timothy Bates, et al.
Date: 12/2022
Sponsoring organizations: Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities, University of California San Francisco Health Workforce Research Center (UCSF HWRC)
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2022 Behavioral Health Workforce Assessment: A Report of the Behavioral Health Workforce Advisory Committee
Details the results of a study analyzing the occupations, roles, size, distribution, career pathways, demand, policy, and practice issues for the behavioral health workforce in the state of Washington. Includes recommendations to address workforce-related barriers and improve access to behavioral healthcare, and provides rural specific information.
Date: 12/2022
Sponsoring organizations: UW Center for Health Workforce Studies, Washington State Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board
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Practicing in Different Settings: Community vs Hospital
Webinar comparing community health nursing, public health nursing, and hospital nursing. Includes a discussion of community health nursing in a rural setting compared to an urban setting. Discusses workforce shortages, nurse training, and more. See video description for transcript.
Date: 12/2022
Sponsoring organization: University of Texas at Arlington Center for Rural Health and Nursing
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Virginia Community Services Boards Behavioral Health Services: 2022
Report on activities of Virginia's Community Services Boards (CSBs), the state's primary mechanism for providing publicly funded behavioral health services in local communities. Includes a section on CSBs' role in providing services to rural areas. Features statistics on numbers of substance use disorder and mental health consumers, with breakdowns by urban and rural CSBs.
Date: 12/2022
Sponsoring organization: Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission
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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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