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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Assessment of Structural Barriers and Racial Group Disparities of COVID-19 Mortality With Spatial Analysis
Explores social determinants of health such as minority status, income inequality, and lack of health insurance, among others, and their relationship to COVID-19 mortality rates. Analyzes data from rural, suburban, and urban counties across all 50 states from January 2020 to February 2021. Includes demographic data such as age, race and ethnicity, socioeconomic advantage index, and more.
Author(s): Qinyun Lin, Susan Paykin, Dylan Halpern
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 5(3)
Date: 03/2022
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Interconnected - Building Understanding Between Rural and Urban
Webinar that discusses how rural and urban policy needs differ and how to build trust between rural and urban areas. Discusses how to provide solutions for geographically specific areas of Minnesota, offering examples of common ground topics like education, jobs, and healthcare. Transcript available below description.
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organizations: Center for Rural Policy and Development, Citizens League
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Disparities in COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Between Urban and Rural Counties — United States, December 14, 2020–January 31, 2022
Examines COVID-19 vaccination disparities between urban and rural people 5 years of age and older. Discusses factors that may have contributed to vaccination disparities, including healthcare access, views about COVID-19 specifically, and vaccine hesitancy more generally. Provides data based on a 6-level urban-rural classification and a 2-level urban-rural classification, with vaccination coverage by sex, age group, and state. Also includes data on vaccine series completion and receipt of a booster or additional dose.
Author(s): Ryan Saelee, Elizabeth Zell, Bhavini Patel Murthy, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 71(9), 335-340
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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COVID-19 and Alabama's Black Belt
Issue brief examining COVID-19 impacts on the Black Belt region of Alabama and rural Alabama in general, highlighting health outcome disparities. Addresses chronic diseases affecting residents of the Black Belt, access to primary care physicians, and policy recommendations to support healthcare in the region.
Author(s): Emily Grace Corley, Garrett Till, Sean O'Brien, Stephen G. Katsinas, Nathaniel J. Bray
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: The University of Alabama Education Policy Center
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Supportive Environments During the Substance Use Disorder Epidemic in the Rural United States: Provider Support for Interventions and Expectations of Interactions With Providers
Explores perceptions of provider support for syringe service programs (SSPs) and medications for addiction treatment (MAT) among rural and urban communities. Breaks down data by levels of trust in providers, levels of perceived provider support for different interventions, and other factors.
Author(s): Thomas C. O'Brien, Judith Feinberg, Robert Gross, Dolores Albarracín
Citation: Social Science & Medicine, 294, 114691
Date: 02/2022
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Wisconsin's Demographic Changes & The Impact of the Pandemic on Schools
Presentation slides that show population changes and trends in Wisconsin. Provides percentage change by county from 2010-2020 and compares changes across metro, micro, and rural counties. Includes enrollment data as well as discussion of COVID-19 impacts on rural schools in Wisconsin.
Author(s): Sarah Kemp
Date: 02/2022
Sponsoring organization: Applied Population Laboratory
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Where Are the BSN-Educated RNs in Texas?
Offers county-level data on the distribution of bachelor's degree educated registered nurses in Texas. Includes rural and urban comparisons.
Date: 02/2022
Sponsoring organization: Texas Health and Human Services
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Rural–Urban Differences in Influenza Vaccination Among Adults in the United States, 2018–2019
Provides data on influenza vaccination among adults during the 2018-2019 flu season. Utilizes 2019 National Health Interview Survey data, with breakdowns according to age, sex, race, and large metropolitan, medium/small metropolitan, or nonmetropolitan location.
Author(s): Bhav Jain, Joseph Alexander Paguio, Jasper Seth Yao, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 112(2), 304-307
Date: 02/2022
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Rural Physician Recruitment and Staffing Survey Results
White paper examining the results of an October 2021 survey of 1,311 physicians,169 administrators, and 158 advanced practice providers. Describes characteristics of respondents with breakdowns by urban, suburban, or rural location. Explores top reasons for choosing a rural practice location, incentives with the greatest influence, and reasons for declining offers.
Date: 02/2022
Sponsoring organization: Jackson Physician Search
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Travel Behavior of Transportation-Disadvantaged Populations: Trends and Geographic Disparities
Analyzes travel behavior and mobility of the elderly, people with disabilities, low-income households, and those living in rural areas. Utilizes data from the 2017 National Household Travel Survey (NHTS) to analyze driving behaviors, transportation modes, trip purpose, and use of smartphones, with information broken down by demographic variables, including urban, suburban, second city, small town, or rural location.
Author(s): Jeremy Mattson, Antonio Molina
Date: 02/2022
Sponsoring organization: Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute
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