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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

COVID-19 Hospitalization Trends in Rural Versus Urban Areas in the United States
Examines disparities in COVID-19 hospitalization rates between rural and urban areas in six states from May 1, 2020, to July 1, 2021. Describes differences in occupancy rates between rural and urban hospitals during the same period. Presents data by week and cumulatively over time.
Author(s): Yi Zhu, Caitlin Carroll, Khoa Vu, et al.
Citation: Medical Care Research and Review, 80(2), 236-244
Date: 04/2023
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Inequitable Access to General and Behavioral Healthcare in the US During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Role for Telehealth?
Examines general and behavioral healthcare access and disparities during the first year of the pandemic, using data from the 2019–2020 U.S. National Alcohol Survey and its COVID follow-up survey conducted January 30 to March 28, 2021. Explores the role of telehealth in providing an important bridge to healthcare for certain medically underserved groups during the pandemic. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural location.
Author(s): Nina Mulia, Yu Ye, Thomas K. Greenfield, et al.
Citation: Preventive Medicine, 169
Date: 04/2023
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Geographic Diffusion of Digital Mammography in the United States
Examines the geographic availability of digital mammography facilities from 2001 to 2014 in the contiguous United States, utilizing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) facility licensing and American Community Survey demographic data. Compares availability of digital and film mammography by race, ethnicity, and level of rurality.
Author(s): Daniel Wiese, Antoinette M. Stroup, Farhad Islami, et al.
Citation: Cancer, 129(14), 2144-2151
Date: 03/2023
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Drug Overdoses in Rural and Urban Pennsylvania: A Progress Report
Assesses the change in the number of reported overdoses in rural and urban Pennsylvania from 2018 to 2022, using data from the Pennsylvania State Police's Overdose Information Network. Features a county-level map showing reported overdoses per 100,000 residents in 2022, and includes statistics on ages of rural overdose victims and overdose survival rates, percentages of overdose victims receiving naloxone, and post-naloxone actions, with breakdowns by urban or rural area.
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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The Interaction of Rurality and Rare Cancers for Travel Time to Cancer Care
Explores the connection between rurality and travel time to receive treatment for rare cancers. Breaks down data by patient characteristics, such as age and rurality, among other measures. Compares rare cancers with common cancers and by treatment type.
Author(s): Tracy Onega, Jennifer Alford-Teaster, Chris Leggett, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 39(2), 426-433
Date: 03/2023
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Understanding Flexible Rural Career Pathways
Describes career pathways in rural areas with a focus on place-based approaches, rural student contexts, partner and workforce collaboration, real-world experience, and interventions in career development. Includes data on rural versus urban comparisons of courses offered at school, levels of educational attainment, and more.
Author(s): Catharine Warner-Griffin, Jenni Liveoak
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: Education Innovation and Research Program
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Measuring and Mapping Physical Activity Disparity (PAD) Index Based on Physical Activity Environment for Children
Uses the Physical Activity Disparity (PAD) index to measure accessibility, availability, accommodation, affordability, and acceptability for children's physical activity in the United States and the state of Georgia at the county level. PAD index identifies "play oases" and "play deserts" for children. Figure 3 shows the PAD index alongside rural and urban classifications.
Author(s): Jue Yang, Lan Mu, Janani Rajbhandari-Thapa
Citation: International Journal of Geo-Information, 12(3), 134
Date: 03/2023
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Workforce Development and Driver Shortages in Small Urban and Rural Transit
Examines the workforce development, succession plans, and turnover mitigation practices of transit agency managers. Analyzes survey data focused on driver shortfall issues and strategies to recruit and retain new drivers in small urban and rural transit. Includes data on employment and driver characteristics as well as rural versus urban comparisons of workforce shortages.
Author(s): Del Peterson, Antonio Molina
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute
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Health Care Coverage, Affordability, and Access Among Rural and Urban Adults Ages 50 to 64
Examines differences in healthcare coverage, affordability, and access trends among rural and urban adults aged 50-64 between 2012 and 2019. Explores possible factors driving healthcare coverage disparities. Offers policy recommendations to improve access to coverage and affordable healthcare among older adults, especially those in rural areas.
Author(s): Olivia Dean, Beth Carter, Robert C. Saunders, et al.
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organizations: AARP Public Policy Institute, KNG Health
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Inflation Reduction Act Research Series: Medicare Part D Enrollee Savings from Elimination of Vaccine Cost-Sharing
Explains new vaccine payment policies for Medicare Part D effective January 1, 2023. Examines vaccine related data for people covered by Medicare Part D. Vaccines included are shingles, tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and more. Shows breakdown of demographics receiving both any vaccine and specific vaccines through Medicare Part D including a urban-rural comparison.
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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