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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

County Reclassifications and Rural–Urban Mortality Disparities in the United States (1970–2018)
Examines urban and rural mortality disparities since 1970, comparing baseline changes to mortality rates by decade of reclassificiation of rural and urban counties based on CDC WONDER data. Describes the impact of reclassification on disparities and the importance of rural and urban classification in policy interventions.
Author(s): Matthew M. Brooks, J. Tom Mueller, Brian C. Thiede
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 110(12): 1814-1816
Date: 12/2020
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The Unique Impacts of U.S. Social and Health Policies on Rural Population Health and Aging
Examines how the Older Americans Act (OAA), the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) impact rural and urban communities differently. Includes discussion about policy efforts and the need to consider the context of place.
Author(s): Danielle C. Rhubart, Shannon M. Monnat, Leif Jensen, Claire Pendergrast
Citation: Public Policy & Aging Report, 31(1), 24-29
Date: 12/2020
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Behavioral Health Barometer: United States, Volume 6
Provides a broad overview of behavioral health in the U.S. with an emphasis on illicit drug, alcohol, and tobacco use, as well as the estimated percentage of people living with serious mental illness. Breaks down data by demographic information, such as age, sex, and others, as well as by metro or nonmetro location. Data is from the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health and the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services.
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Rural Workforce Years: Quantifying the Rural Workforce Contribution of Family Medicine Residency Graduates
Results of a study comparing contributions of rurally trained family medicine residency program graduates from 2007-2013 with contributions of a geographically-matched cohort of non-rurally trained graduates. Features a list of matched programs, demographics, and statistics on total and standardized rural workforce years, with breakdowns by cohort.
Author(s): Peter Meyers, Elizabeth Wilkinson, Stephen Petterson, et al.
Citation: Journal of Graduate Medical Education, 12(6), 717-726
Date: 12/2020
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Rural Resilience: The Role of Birth Centers in the United States
Highlights a study on the efficacy of the birth center model for maternity care and delivery in rural communities compared with their urban and suburban counterparts. Breaks down data by core variables, such as maternal age, maternal and infant outcomes, and transfers, among other measures.
Author(s): Diana Jolles, Susan Stapleton, Jennifer Wright, et al.
Citation: Birth, 47(4), 430–437
Date: 12/2020
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Equitable Recovery and Resilience in Rural America
Reports on geographic, economic, and cultural diversity in rural America, addressing issues of equity, health disparities, and economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. Offers recommendations for local and federal action related to broadband internet access, small business development, and collaboration to support rural economic vitality and equity.
Author(s): Brian Dabson
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: Aspen Institute
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Determinants of Rural-Urban Differences in Health Care Provider Visits Among Women of Reproductive Age in the United States
Uses nationally representative data to investigate whether rural and urban women of reproductive age experience differences in healthcare provider visits. Features rural/urban comparisons on individual- and county-level characteristics and medical provider visits by type of healthcare professional.
Author(s): Hyunjung Lee, Ashley H. Hirai, Ching-Ching Claire Lin, John E. Snyder
Citation: PLos One, 15(12), e0240700
Date: 12/2020
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Prevalence and Geographic Distribution of Obstetrician-Gynecologists Who Treat Medicaid Enrollees and Are Trained to Prescribe Buprenorphine
Highlights a study on the geographic distribution of Medicaid-claimant obstetrician-gynecologists trained to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder. Compares provider prevalence in rural versus urban counties.
Author(s): Max Jordan Nguemeni Tiako, Jennifer Culhane, Eugenia South, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 3(12), e2029043
Date: 12/2020
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Assessing Clinical Quality Performance and Staffing Capacity Differences Between Urban and Rural Health Resources and Services Administration-Funded Health Centers in the United States: A Cross Sectional Study
Study comparing quality of medical care in urban and rural health centers funded by the Heath Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) using 2017 Uniform Data System data and 2016 Area Health Resources File data for 1,373 health centers, over 600 of which are rural. Examines 15 reported quality measures related to prevention, care management, and clinical outcomes.
Author(s): Nadereh Pourat, Xiao Chen, Connie Lu, et al.
Citation: PLOS One, 15(12), e0242844
Date: 12/2020
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Perceived Importance of Physical Activity and Walkable Neighborhoods Among US Adults, 2017
Uses nationally representative data to assess adults' self-reported importance of getting regular physical activity and residing in walkable neighborhoods. Includes data breakdowns by sex, age, race/ethnicity, census region, nonmetropolitan/metropolitan status, and more.
Author(s): Susan A. Carlson, Emily N. Ussery, Kathleen B. Watson, Kelly A. Cornett, Janet E. Fulton
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 17, E168
Date: 12/2020
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