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Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Differences in Distress Between Rural and Non-rural Appalachian Breast Cancer Patient / Caregiver Dyads During the First Year of Treatment
Results of a pilot study measuring self-reported anxiety, depression, and caregiver strain among 48 Appalachian breast cancer patients and their caregivers, as identified by the University of Tennessee Medical Center from 2019-2020. Features demographics and statistics on types of psychological distress at baseline, 6-week, 6-month, and 12-month time frames, with breakdowns by rural or nonrural location.
Author(s): Jordan Tasman, Callie D. McAdams, Jillian Lloyd, Ashton J. Brooks, Patricia Nola Eugene Roberson
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 4(3), 56-70
Date: 03/2022
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Enduring Cancer Disparities by Persistent Poverty, Rurality, and Race: 1990-1992 to 2014-2018
Examines overall cancer mortality in the U.S. by county characteristics such as persistent poverty and rural versus urban location, as well as by isolating race as a potential determinant. Utilizes 1990-1992 and 2014-2018 National Death Index data to analyze how health disparities in cancer mortality have changed over time.
Author(s): Jennifer L. Moss, Casey N. Pinto, Shobha Srinivasan, Kathleen A. Cronin, Robert T. Croyle
Citation: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 114(6), 829-836
Date: 03/2022
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Initial Home Dialysis Is Increased for Rural Patients by Accessing Urban Facilities
Investigates health disparities between rural and urban patients with end stage kidney disease (ESKD). Examines 97,930 dialysis initiates from the 2017 United States Renal Data System, broken down by the timing of home dialysis initiation, patient race, disease type, body mass index (BMI), employment status, rural versus urban facility location, and more. Discusses issues of access and disparities in mortality for different populations.
Author(s): Joel T. Adler, S. Ali Husain, Lingwei Xiang, James R. Rodrigue, Sushrut S. Waikar
Citation: Kidney 360, 3, 488-496
Date: 03/2022
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Learning From COVID-19-Related Flexibilities: Moving Toward More Person-Centered Medicare and Medicaid Programs
Presents a person-centered framework to facilitate policymakers' decisions regarding the future of COVID-19-related temporary regulatory flexibilities. Identifies priority flexibilities that should be considered for permanence, modification, or further evaluation. Covers regulatory flexibilities regarding telehealth, scope of practice, Medicare Advantage requirements, and more. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organizations: Health Management Associates, Manatt Health, The SCAN Foundation
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A Descriptive Analysis of Food Pantries in Twelve American States: Hours of Operation, Faith-Based Affiliation, and Location
Describes the development and content of a charitable food dataset, including geographic information for 3,777 food pantries in 12 states. Features statistics including food insecurity in 2013-2015 and numbers of food pantries and faith-based food pantries, with breakdowns by state and urban or rural locations.
Author(s): Natalie D. Riediger, Lindsey Dahl, Rajeshwari A. Biradar, Adriana N. Mudryj, Mahmoud Torabi
Citation: BMC Public Health, 22, 525
Date: 03/2022
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Minnesota's Health Care Workforce: Pandemic-Provoked Workforce Exits, Burnout, and Shortages
Reports on loss of healthcare professionals in Minnesota due to turnover, burnout, reduction in working hours, early retirement, and more. Provides charts of workforce professionals in 2019 compared to 2021 by vacancy, working a position unrelated to healthcare license, job dissatisfaction, and more, as well as charts showing rural versus urban comparisons of workforce issues.
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
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A Critical Review on the Complex Interplay between Social Determinants of Health and Maternal and Infant Mortality
Reports on a critical review of maternal and infant mortality literature to observe how social determinants of health relate to health issues for mothers and babies of various populations, distressed socioeconomic statuses, and rural geographies. Includes discussion about rural versus urban differences in maternal and infant mortality.
Author(s): Rada K. Dagher, Deborah E. Linares
Citation: Children, 9(3), 394
Date: 03/2022
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Hospital Community Benefit Spending in Minnesota, 2016 to 2019: A Report to the Minnesota Legislature
Reports on hospital-based and community benefits spending from 2016 to 2019 that promotes health in Minnesota. Includes geographic breakdowns of information according to isolated small rural town, small town, large rural city, and urban.
Additional links: Data Tables
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health
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Three Key Trends for Minnesota Community Hospitals in 2020
Discusses trends for Minnesota Community hospitals in 2020 such as hospital usage, public investments, and staffing. Includes a rural versus urban and Critical Access Hospital (CAH) versus non-CAH comparison of median operating margins of hospitals from 2018 to 2020.
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health
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Consequences of Structural Urbanism: Urban–Rural Differences in Cancer Patients' Use and Perceived Importance of Supportive Care Services from a 2017–2018 Midwestern Survey
Examines health disparities in supportive cancer care based on data from 326 rural and urban Midwestern cancer patients from November 2017 to May 2018. Includes participant data broken down by rurality, age, sex, race, marital status, insurance status, and related cancer diagnosis. Discusses closures of healthcare services and limited resources in rural areas and their impact on healthcare access for cancer patients.
Author(s): Marquita W. Lewis-Thames, Patricia Fank, Michelle Gates, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(6)
Date: 03/2022
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