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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Demographic Characteristics, Experiences, and Beliefs Associated with Hand Hygiene Among Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, June 24–30, 2020
Reports findings from an Internet-based survey of U.S. adults related to hand hygiene following contact with high-touch public surfaces. Includes information on hand washing and use of hand sanitizer, with data by rural/urban residence.
Author(s): Mark É. Czeisler, Amanda G. Garcia-Williams, Noelle-Angelique Molinari, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(41), 1485-1491
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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NRHA Policy Paper: Rural Obesity
Policy position paper examining rural-urban differences in obesity prevalence, obesity as a factor in health disparities, differences in weight-related behaviors, and social determinants of health influencing rural obesity. Offers strategies and policy recommendations to address rural obesity.
Author(s): Demetrius Abshire, Cassity Gutierrez
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Overview of Rural Child Health
Policy position paper presenting an overview rural child health and factors influencing health disparities in rural children. Highlights disparities in mortality, physical health, preventive health, and oral health. Includes policy recommendations to address these disparities.
Author(s): Peiyin Hung, Matthew Workman, Kim Mohan
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Racial and Ethnic Minorities Made Up About 22 Percent of the Rural Population in 2018, Compared to 43 Percent in Urban Areas
Side-by-side pie charts comparing the race and ethnicity makeup of the rural population and urban population in 2018. Provides data on the percent of each population that is White, Black, American Indian, Hispanic, and other.
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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How Growing Geographic and Racial Disparities Inhibit the Ability to Live Longer and Healthier Lives
Provides a national-level overview of geographic disparities in life expectancy at mid-adulthood, as well as changes to life expectancy between 1980 and 2014. Discusses rural differences in life expectancy. Presents nine strategies to address the geographic disparities.
Author(s): Erwin J. Tan
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: AARP
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Characteristics Associated with Adults Remembering to Wash Hands in Multiple Situations Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, October 2019 and June 2020
Reports on adults' remembering to wash their hands in six situations: before eating at home; before eating at a restaurant; before preparing food at home; after using the bathroom at home; after using the bathroom in public; and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose. Based on survey data from prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (October 2019) and during the pandemic (June 2020). Includes data for metropolitan and nonmetro areas.
Author(s): Julia C. Haston, Gabrielle F. Miller, David Berendes, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(40), 1443-1449
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Rural/Urban Differences in Children's Health
Examines differences in child health conditions by rural and urban residency. Explores differences in mental and behavioral health, weight status and physical activity, adverse childhood experiences, and access to healthcare.
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Maternal and Child Health Bureau
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Motor Vehicle Traffic Death Rates Among Adolescents and Young Adults Aged 15–24, by Urbanicity: United States, 2000–2018
Examines trends in motor vehicle traffic death rates among those age 15–24 compared to those 26 and older. For the 15-24 age group, includes death rate data by sex and urban-rural location. Also includes data by level of urbanicity for metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore areas.
Author(s): Sally C. Curtin, Betzaida Tejada-Vera
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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The Impact of Coronavirus on Households in Rural America
Reports on the experiences of rural households during the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses impacts on finances, employment, healthcare, housing, food, and child care. Concerns related to healthcare include access to care during the pandemic, concerns for those with special health issues such as chronic conditions, and use of telehealth.
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organizations: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, National Public Radio, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
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Increase in Drug Overdose Deaths Involving Cocaine: United States, 2009–2018
Reports on trends in drug overdose deaths involving cocaine, with data by sex, age group, race and Hispanic origin, and concurrent involvement of opioids. Includes cocaine overdose death rate data for 2018 for urban and rural areas by Census region.
Author(s): Holly Hedegaard, Merianne Rose Spencer, Matthew F. Garnett
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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