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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Disparities in Individuals' Access and Use of Health IT in 2013
Reports on patients' use of different types of health information technology (HIT) as of 2013, prior to a federal push to expand patient access to and use of HIT. Includes data specific to rural patients' use of HIT, showing lower use compared to urban patients. HIT types included emailing a provider, text messaging a provider, looking at test results online, and using a smart phone health app.
Author(s): Vaishali Patel, Wesley Barker, Erin Siminerio
Date: 06/2015
Sponsoring organization: Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
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Potentially Preventable Pediatric Hospital Inpatient Stays for Asthma and Diabetes, 2003-2012
Reports on potentially preventable hospitalizations for asthma and diabetes with short-term complications among children aged 0-17 years. Figure 4 includes data by location of residence for rural and urban areas.
Author(s): Kathryn Fingar, Raynard Washington
Date: 06/2015
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Older Americans Act: Updated Information on Unmet Need for Services
Examines older adults' reported need for home and community-based services and the potential unmet need for these services. Includes metropolitan and non-metropolitan data on food insecurity and receipt of congregate and home-delivered meals.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 06/2015
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Healthcare Costs and Outcomes for Pediatric Inpatients with Bronchiolitis: Comparison of Urban Versus Rural Hospitals
Compares quality and costs between rural and urban settings for low severity pediatric bronchiolitis admissions.
Author(s): Benson Hsu, Benjamin D. Meyer, Saquib Lakhani
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 15(2), 3380
Date: 06/2015
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Foundation Grants to Rural Areas from 2005 to 2010: Trends and Patterns
Describes trends in foundation grant funding provided to benefit rural communities, how funds are allocated, what types of foundations fund rural projects, and how grants are distributed geographically. Includes grants to rural-based organizations and to urban organizations for work primarily benefiting rural areas. Provides information on funding for rural health, as well as topics that impact health, such as food and nutrition. Discusses factors that may impact the capacity of rural communities to secure grant funding.
Author(s): John L. Pender
Date: 06/2015
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Characteristics of Children in Medicaid Managed Care and Medicaid Fee-for-service, 2003-2005
Examines how children enrolled in Medicaid fee-for-service programs compare to those in comprehensive managed care programs. Includes information on sociodemographic, health, and geographic characteristics. Table 5 provides figures by type of Medicaid program for urban and rural enrollees.
Author(s): Patricia C. Lloyd, Alan E. Simon, Jennifer D. Parker
Date: 06/2015
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Dentist Supply, Dental Care Utilization, and Oral Health Among Rural and Urban U.S. Residents
Investigates the differences between rural and urban adults regarding their utilization of dental care services. Discusses the influence of dentist supply and oral health outcomes in rural and urban areas.
Author(s): Mark P. Doescher, Gina A. Keppel
Date: 06/2015
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Rural Healthy People 2020: New Decade, Same Challenges
Uses results from a nationally representative survey to identify rural health priorities from Healthy People 2020's national priorities. Top rural health priorities include access to quality healthcare, nutrition and weight status, diabetes, and others.
Author(s): Jane N. Bolin, Gail R. Bellamy, Alva O. Ferdinand, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 31(3), 326-333
Date: 05/2015
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Disparities in the Utilization of Laparoscopic Surgery for Colon Cancer in Rural Nebraska: A Call for Placement and Training of Rural General Surgeons
Examines demographic and clinical characteristics associated with receiving a laparoscopic colectomy and a rural versus urban analysis of patients who received either a laparoscopic or an open colectomy procedure in rural Nebraska. Includes data for both surgical procedures by insurance payer, cancer location and stage at diagnosis, gender, and marital status, among others.
Author(s): Kelli Gruber, Amr S. Soliman, Kendra Schmid, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 31(4), 392-400
Date: 05/2015
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Assessing Career Dissatisfaction and Plans to Leave Patient Care Among the Rural Pennsylvania Health Workforce
A survey of physician, physician assistant, dentist, and dental hygienist workforce to identify rural/urban differences in career satisfaction and plans to leave patient care. Includes data and statistics for demographics, practice settings, and contributing factors of dissatisfaction with their career.
Author(s): Brandon Vick, Margaret Gagel, David Yerger
Date: 05/2015
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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