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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Proposed Rural-Specific Objectives for Healthy People 2030
Supports adding a category for rural health to Healthy People 2030 along with specific objectives related to mortality, obesity, healthcare access, and more. Identifies rural/urban disparities for each objective, rationales for including them, possible measures for them, and data sources.
Date: 2019
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
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Behavioral and Subjective Health Changes in US and Mexico Border Residing Participants in Two Promotora-Led Chronic Disease Prevention Interventions
Study of two community health worker (CHW) chronic disease prevention programs serving Mexico-born residents of the U.S-Mexico border region: one in a rural Arizona community and one in an urban community in Sonora, Mexico. Discusses challenges related to healthy diet, physical activity, and social support as risk factors for obesity and diabetes. Analyzes data from self-report assessments to evaluate behavioral and subjective health improvements over 6 months of the intervention programs.
Author(s): S C Carvajal, S Huang, M L Bell, et al.
Citation: Health Education Research, 33(6), 522-534
Date: 12/2018
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America's Child Care Deserts in 2018
Assesses child care availability in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with discussion on how limited or complete lack of access disproportionately impacts rural and other populations. Includes discussion on child care deserts and provides a list of policy recommendations to increase access to low-cost and high-quality child care.
Author(s): Rasheed Malik, Katie Hamm, Leila Schochet, et al.
Date: 12/2018
Sponsoring organization: Center for American Progress
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Rural and Appalachian Disparities in Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Incidence and Access to Opioid Abuse Treatment
Examines the disparity of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) prevalence in Appalachian and non-Appalachian Kentucky and in comparison to national data. Considers why data from this study may or may not be useful in identifying regional and national trends. Also discusses the challenges of providing substance use treatment to pregnant women and Appalachian populations.
Author(s): Joshua D. Brown, Amie J. Goodin, Jeffrey C. Talbert
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 34(1), 6-13
Date: 12/2018
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Trend Differences in Men and Women in Rural and Urban U.S. Settings
Highlights a study on differences in rates of smoking between men and women in rural and urban areas across the U.S. Details age, income, and several other indicators that may contribute to rates of smoking.
Author(s): A. Cepeda-Benito, N.J. Doogan, R. Redner, et al.
Citation: Preventive Medicine, 117, 69-75
Date: 12/2018
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Medicaid Inpatient Hospital Services Fee-for-Service Payment Policy
Provides an overview of Medicaid payment policies for inpatient hospital services. Includes a link to an Excel sheet with details for each state, including adjustments for rural geography and for Critical Access Hospitals.
Additional links: State Medicaid Payment Policies for Inpatient Hospital Services
Date: 12/2018
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Delivery of Fall Prevention Interventions for At-Risk Older Adults in Rural Areas: Findings from a National Dissemination
Identifies the geographical reach of 8 evidence-based fall prevention programs in the U.S. Compares fall prevention program dissemination characteristics by rurality. Includes participant and workshop statistics for the 8 fall prevention programs and various program delivery sites by metro, nonmetro adjacent, and nonmetro non-adjacent areas.
Author(s): Matthew Lee Smith, Samuel D. Towne, Angelica Herrera-Venson, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(12), 2798
Date: 12/2018
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New SASI Analysis: In the Deep South, Significant Percentages of People Most Impacted by HIV Live Outside Large Urban Areas Demonstrating a Need for Increased Federal Resources
Examines HIV data in the Deep South to help identify targets for federal funding, focusing on underserved groups in rural areas and small cities. Analyzes Black and Latino populations, drug injection users, men who have sex with men, women, and people aged 13-24 living with HIV. Identifies 6 states where a higher proportion of these groups live outside large, urban areas. See additional links for state-specific reports.
Additional links: Alabama Report, Georgia Report, Louisiana Report, Mississippi Report, North Carolina Report, South Carolina Report
Author(s): Carolyn McAllaster, Gabrielle Goodrow
Date: 12/2018
Sponsoring organizations: Duke University, Southern HIV/AIDS Strategy Initiative
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Transit and Livability: Results from the National Community Livability Survey
Results from Phase 3 of a livability study examining the connection between transit and quality of life in metro urban and nonmetro rural communities. Features socio-demographic statistics and importance of factors affecting community livability, including access to healthcare, with breakdowns by metro and nonmetro location.
Author(s): Ranjit Godavarthy, Jeremy Mattson, Jonathan Brooks, et al.
Date: 12/2018
Sponsoring organization: Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute
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Medicare: Voluntary and Mandatory Episode-Based Payment Models and Their Participants
Reviews tests of 6 episode-based Medicare payment models. Describes the characteristics of providers that participated in these models, including rural or urban location, addresses factors affecting their decision to participate, and compares the advantages of mandatory versus voluntary participation.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 12/2018
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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