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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Indian Health Disparities
Fact sheet providing statistics on American Indian and Alaska Native health disparities and mortality disparities.
Date: 10/2019
Sponsoring organization: Indian Health Service
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Maternal Health Begins Where Moms Live, Learn, and Work
Discusses the social and healthcare influences, particularly in rural areas, on maternal health and its effect on maternal mortality. Compares rural county and urban county data for Arizona state Medicaid coverage, amount of prenatal care received and when it was received, and the poverty rate.
Author(s): Bryna Koch, Benjamin Brady, Susan Coates, et al.
Date: 10/2019
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Association Between Environmental Quality and Diabetes in the USA
Results of a study comparing diabetes prevalence in 3,134 urban or rural counties from 2004-2012, taking into account the possible effects of environmental pollutants. Features statistics with breakdowns by 4 levels of urban or rural status.
Author(s): Jyotsna S. Jagai, Alison K. Krajewski, Sabina Shaikh, Danelle T. Lobdell, Robert M. Sargis
Citation: Journal of Diabetes Investigation, 11(2), 315-324
Date: 10/2019
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Subcommittee on Health Oversight Hearing: Native Veterans' Access to Healthcare
Discusses the current state of healthcare access for Native American veterans. Features testimonies from representatives from the National Indian Health Board, the National Congress of American Indians, and the Alaska Native Health Board, among others.
Additional links: Witness Testimonies
Date: 10/2019
Sponsoring organization: House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Health
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Addressing a Crisis: Cross-Sector Strategies to Prevent Adolescent Substance Use and Suicide
Report discusses different methods for adolescent substance use and suicide prevention. Highlights rates of suicide and substance use, such as binge drinking, misuse of pain medication, and vaping. Explores differences in rates for youth in rural and urban areas.
Date: 10/2019
Sponsoring organization: Trust for America's Health
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Obstetric Delivery Inpatient Stays Involving Substance Use Disorders and Related Clinical Outcomes, 2016
Presents statistics from the 2016 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) on delivery-related inpatient stays involving substance use disorders (SUDs). Types of SUDs reported include the use of opioids, cocaine, and other stimulants in urban and rural areas. Examines clinical outcomes at delivery including preterm delivery, severe preeclampsia/eclampsia, obstetric hemorrhage, and placental abruption. Compares delivery outcomes with or without SUD diagnosis, and by rural or urban residence of patient.
Author(s): Anita Soni, Kathryn R. Fingar, Lawrence D. Reid
Date: 10/2019
Sponsoring organizations: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project
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Disrupting Food Insecurity: Steps Communities Can Take
Offers possible solutions to challenges that affect families' ability to afford a healthy diet. Explores strategies developed specifically to meet needs of overlooked rural communities, including help with housing and transportation.
Additional links: Interactive Data Dashboard
Author(s): Caroline Ratcliffe, Elaine Waxman, Cary Lou, Hannah Hassani, Victoria Tran
Date: 10/2019
Sponsoring organization: Urban Institute
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Food and Beverage Options at Highway Rest Areas in North Carolina: A Mixed-Methods Audit and Geospatial Approach
Results of a 2018 study to determine the accessibility and healthfulness of food and beverages available at 24 rural and 6 urban North Carolina rest areas. Features statistics on characteristics of the rest areas, including distance from limited-service restaurants or convenience stores.
Author(s): Jared T. McGuirt, Grace Huebner, Rachel Ward, Stephanie B. Jilcott Pitts
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 16
Date: 10/2019
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Risk Factors and Potentially Preventable Deaths in Rural Communities
Compares rates of potentially avoidable deaths in rural and urban communities and shows how these deaths vary by census region. Features statistics on modifiable risk factors, such as smoking, excessive alcohol use, and obesity, and percent of potentially preventable deaths attributable to specific health conditions, with breakdowns by rural and urban areas.
Author(s): Mark Holmes, Kristie W. Thompson
Date: 10/2019
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Vaccination Coverage by Age 24 Months Among Children Born in 2015 and 2016 — National Immunization Survey-Child, United States, 2016–2018
Examines vaccination coverage for selected vaccines and doses among children born in 2015 and 2016. Supplementary Table 2 includes data for metropolitan and nonmetro areas.
Additional links: Supplementary Table 2
Author(s): Holly A. Hill, James A. Singleton, David Yankey, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 68(41), 913–918
Date: 10/2019
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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