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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Rural-Urban Residence and Mortality among Three Cohorts of U.S. Adults
Reports on a study to address gaps in what is known of the rural-urban mortality disparity by analyzing time-to-event birth cohorts using data from the 1997-2009 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) linking deaths through December 2011. Results of this study may identify potential policy and practice interventions to reduce the disparity in rural-urban mortality.
Author(s): Erika C. Ziller, Jennifer D. Lenardson, Katherine Ahrens M.
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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Beyond Opioids: Rapid Increase in Drug Deaths Involving Stimulants
Presents a breakdown of drug related deaths involving stimulants. Features a number of charts highlighting the data, including rural and urban, regional, and national comparisons.
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation
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America at a Glance: How Do Working-Age Adults with Travel-Limiting Disabilities Get Around?
Examines the travel behaviors, employment status, and health of rural and urban residents with travel-related disabilities. Explores the use of public transit and other transportation services by rural and urban residence.
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organizations: Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities, University of Montana: Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities
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The State of Broadband Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
Presents the May 13, 2020, U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on maintaining and expanding high-speed and reliable broadband access during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Examines the impact of CARES Act funding directed to support broadband initiatives at the federal, state, and local levels. Testimonies include discussion of challenges and policy options for broadband access in rural areas.
Additional links: Competitive Carriers Testimony, NTCA - The Rural Broadband Association Testimony, Public Knowledge Testimony, USTelecom - The Broadband Association Testimony
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
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Characteristics of Counties with the Highest Proportion of the Oldest Old
Policy brief examining the characteristics of communities having the greatest percent of residents ages 85 and older. Discusses documented differences in rural-urban locations in long-term care availability and caregiver supports. Includes a list of counties with the highest proportion of the oldest old, a county-level map with shadings showing proportions of the oldest old, and statistics on county characteristics, with breakdowns by highest-prevalence rural counties, all counties, rural counties, and noncore rural counties.
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Megan Lahr, Jonathan Schroeder, Cody Tuttle, Samantha Mills
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Prevalence of Self-Reported Hypertension and Antihypertensive Medication Use by County and Rural-Urban Classification — United States, 2017
Examines self-reported prevalence of diagnosed hypertension and antihypertensive medication use. Includes data for metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore (rural) areas. Also discusses geographic trends at the county level, with maps showing county-level hypertension prevalence and medication use. Highlights higher prevalence of hypertension in the Southeast, Appalachia, and the Great Plains.
Author(s): Claudine M. Samanic, Kamil E. Barbour, Yong Liu, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(18), 533-539
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Trends in Subspecialization: A Comparative Analysis of Rural and Urban Clinical Education
Results of a study examining how rural medical education is associated with practice specialization, using data from Michigan State University medical students who graduated from 1974-2011 and who trained at rural or urban campuses. Features demographic statistics with breakdowns by rural or urban place of birth and training location and practice specialty with breakdowns by rural or urban campus location.
Author(s): Andrea L. Wendling, Andrew Short, Fredrick Hetzel, Julie P. Phillips, William Short
Citation: Family Medicine, 52(5), 332-338
Date: 05/2020
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Extreme Poverty Counties Found Solely in Rural Areas in 2018
Examines high and extreme poverty areas by rural and urban county designation. Includes a map showing rural high poverty and extreme poverty counties and urban high poverty counties. Discusses the geographic concentration of extreme poverty in regions with above-average populations of racial minorities, highlighting 6 counties in South Dakota with a large Native American population and 4 counties in Mississippi with historically high poverty rates among African Americans.
Author(s): Tracey Farrigan
Citation: Amber Waves
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Metropolitan/Nonmetropolitan COVID-19 Confirmed Cases and General and ICU Beds
Policy brief analyzing the number of hospital beds and cases of COVID-19 during the period from April 13, 2020, to April 19, 2020, to assess what impact the disease might have on rural facilities. Features statistics for counties with and without general and intensive care unit (ICU) beds, with breakdowns by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas.
Author(s): Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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An Older Population Increases Estimated COVID-19 Death Rates in Rural America
Examines the influence of age structure and other factors on the spread of coronavirus in rural areas of the U.S. Compares the incidence of the virus and the estimated mortality rates due to the virus in rural and urban areas.
Author(s): Kenneth M. Johnson
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organization: Carsey School of Public Policy
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