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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Patchwork of Contrasting Medication Cultures Across the USA
Examines differences in prescribing patterns by geographic area, including rural/urban comparisons. Compares opioid prescribing patterns with state drug monitoring programs, disease-associated drug use with relevant death rates, use of brand versus generic drugs, and the impact of insurance rates, poverty, and race/ethnicity.
Author(s): Rachel D. Melamed, Andrey Rzhetsky
Citation: Nature Communications, 9, 4022
Date: 10/2018
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Rural Poverty, Part 1
Showcases two papers from the Rural Policy Research Institute's (RUPRI) March 2018 "Rural Poverty: Fifty Years After The People Left Behind" Conference. Covers the causes and consequences of rural poverty and discusses the evolving research agenda to address the issue to improve economic opportunities. Includes information on rural and urban poverty rates by gender, education, marital status, and employment.
Citation: IRP Focus, 34(2), 1-24
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organization: University of Wisconsin–Madison Institute for Research on Poverty
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Activation and Utilization of an Electronic Health Record Patient Portal at an Academic Medical Center: Impact of Patient Demographics and Geographic Location
Analyzes the rates of patient portal activation and usage associated with the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics by patients in rural and urban areas of the state. Identifies population groups with the lowest activation rates and discusses possible barriers to accessing patient portals.
Author(s): Sarah E. R. Oest, Maia Hightower, Matthew D. Krasowski
Citation: Academic Pathology, 5
Date: 10/2018
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The Workforce Trends of Physician Assistants in Iowa (1995-2015)
Examines the growth trends and attrition of the physician assistance (PA) workforce in Iowa with a focus on primary or specialty care practice settings, rural or urban locations, and Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).
Author(s): Thomas S. Gruca, Gregory C. Nelson, Linda Thiesen, David P. Asprey, Sean G. Young
Citation: PLoS One, 13(10)
Date: 10/2018
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Missed Opportunities: Youth Homelessness in Rural America
Examines research related to experiences of rural youth who are homeless. Offers recommendations for policy changes and community responses to address challenges unique to rural areas. Includes a section on homelessness among American Indian and Alaskan Native youth.
Author(s): Matthew Morton, Amy Dworsky, Sonali Patel, Gina M. Samuels
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organizations: Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, Voices of Youth Count
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Rural Education Levels Are Increasing, but Still Lag Behind Urban Areas
Bar chart comparing rural and urban education levels for adults aged 25 and older in 2000 and 2016.
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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The Ruralness of Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence: Prevalence, Provider Knowledge Gaps, and Healthcare Costs
Examines rural domestic violence and intimate partner violence. Addresses prevalence rates, provider knowledge gaps, and associated healthcare costs.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Trends in Fertility and Mother's Age at First Birth Among Rural and Metropolitan Counties: United States, 2007–2017
Reports on trends in total fertility rates and mean maternal age at first birth overall, and by race and Hispanic origin, with data for rural counties, small or medium metropolitan counties, and large metro counties.
Additional links: Questions for the Lead Author, NCHStats blog
Author(s): Danielle M. Ely, Brady E. Hamilton
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Geographic Availability of Low-Dose Computed Tomography for Lung Cancer Screening in the United States, 2017
Includes state-level tables and maps showing locations of lung cancer screening sites and percentage of population ages 55-79 lacking access to a center, and lung cancer mortality versus accessibility of screening centers. Helps identify rural areas in need of screening program creation or expansion.
Author(s): Jan M. Eberth, Parisa Bozorgi, Logan M. Lebrón, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 15
Date: 10/2018
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Vaccination Coverage Among Children Aged 19–35 Months — United States, 2017
Reports on vaccination coverage for children aged 19-35 months, based on data from the 2017 National Immunization Survey-Child (NIS-Child). Includes data for nonmetropolitan areas. Coverage estimates are provided for the following vaccinations: diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis (DTaP), poliovirus, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), Haemophilius influenzae type b conjugate (Hib), hepatitis B (HepB), varicella, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), hepatitis A (HepA), and rotavirus.
Author(s): Holly A. Hill, Laurie D. Elam-Evans, David Yankey, James A. Singleton, Yoonjae Kang
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 67(40), 1123-1128
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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