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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Supporting Community-Based Family Medicine Residency Training Programs in North Carolina and their Potential Impact on Healthy NC 2030
Examines ways in which training family medicine residents in rural North Carolina communities can address disparities in healthcare access and improve rural population health metrics for all subsets of the population. Describes Healthy NC 2030, a public health initiative that seeks to bridge healthcare disparities in North Carolina. Features a county-level map showing locations of training programs in rural settings and urban settings, and statistics on the distribution of family medicine residency positions in North Carolina, with breakdowns by rural or urban setting.
Author(s): Audy G. Whitman, Geniene Jones, Danny Pate, et al.
Citation: North Carolina Medical Journal, 83(3), 173-177
Date: 05/2022
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Vital Signs: Changes in Firearm Homicide and Suicide Rates — United States, 2019–2020
Reports on changes to firearm homicide and suicide rates by demographics, region, and urbanization level. Examines 2019-2020 national vital statistics and population data, as well as urbanization and poverty measures at the county level.
Author(s): Scott R. Kegler, Thomas R. Simon, Marissa L. Zwald, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 71(19), 656-663
Date: 05/2022
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Labor Force Participation Decreased Less in Rural Areas Than in Urban Areas at the Onset of COVID-19 Pandemic
Chart showing U.S. labor force participation in 2007, 2019, 2020, and 2021, with breakdowns by urban and rural location and by age groups 16-24, 25-64, and 65 and older.
Date: 05/2022
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Post-Acute and Long-term Care Providers and Services Users in the United States, 2017–2018
Describes the supply, organizational characteristics, staffing, and services offered by post-acute and long-term care providers. Provides descriptions of service users, including residents of nursing homes and residential care communities, patients receiving home health or hospice care, and people who attend adult day services centers. Features statistics including distribution of post-acute and long-term care providers in 2017-2018, with breakdowns by metropolitan, micropolitan, or other areas.
Author(s): Manisha Sengupta, Jessica Penn Lendon, Christine Caffrey, Amanuel Melekin, Priyanka Singh
Date: 05/2022
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Telemedicine Use in Children Aged 0–17 Years: United States, July–December 2020
Report examining telemedicine use by children ages 0-17 based on data from the National Health Interview Survey collected between July-December 2020 and covering the prior 12 months. Discusses findings related to telemedicine use in general and because of the COVID-19 pandemic; percentages of children who used telehealth because of the pandemic by rural, medium and small metropolitan, and large metropolitan residence; and telehealth use among children with selected chronic conditions.
Date: 05/2022
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Exploration of Remote Didactics at Rural Family Medicine Training Programs
Results of an electronic survey of rural family medicine residency site directors across the United States. Includes analyses through statistics with an emphasis on descriptions of current didactic practices, facilitators, and challenges to implementation. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban or rural location.
Author(s): Ying Zhang, Tessa E. Moore, Amanda Weidner, et al.
Citation: Family Medicine, 54(5), 362-363
Date: 05/2022
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Geographic Differences in Sex-Specific Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Mortality Rate Trends Among Adults Aged ≥25 Years — United States, 1999–2019
Examines trends in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) mortality for men and for women age 25 and older, with data by urban-rural location for large central metropolitan, large fringe metro, medium metro, small metro, micropolitan, and noncore areas.
Author(s): Susan A. Carlson, Anne G. Wheaton, Kathleen B. Watson, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 71(18), 613-618
Date: 05/2022
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ARPA's Enhanced Premium Subsidies Provide Particularly Large Benefits to Residents of Rural Areas
Compares the differences between average Marketplace benchmark monthly premiums in urban and rural areas in each state in 2022. Discusses the impact of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) expanded premium subsidies in rural areas.
Author(s): John Holahan, Erik Wengle, Claire O'Brien
Date: 05/2022
Sponsoring organization: Urban Institute
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Intersections of Personal Assistance Services for Rural Disabled People and Home Care Workers' Rights
Brief review exploring the intersection of disability rights and personal care labor, including discussion of advocacy and changing public opinion. Provides an overview of historical disability legislation and labor policy at the federal level, with discussion of institutionalization and home-based care. Identifies challenges faced by people with disabilities and care providers in rural areas.
Author(s): Rayna Sage, Krys Standley, Genna M. Mashinchi
Citation: Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 3, 876038
Date: 04/2022
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Transportation Patterns of Adults with Travel-Limiting Disabilities in Rural and Urban America
Compares transportation strategies among rural and urban adults with disabilities. Provides data on frequency and purpose of travel for all respondents, and details modes of transportation used by non-drivers. Identifies demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic factors associated with giving up driving. Provides suggestions for the improvement of transportation services in rural areas.
Author(s): Andrew Myers, Catherine Ipsen, Krys Standley
Citation: Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 3, 877555
Date: 04/2022
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