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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

2012-14 Profitability of Urban and Rural Hospitals by Medicare Payment Classification
Compares the total margin and operating margin of rural and urban hospitals using 2012-2014 profitability data. Analysis divides rural hospitals by the size of the prospective payment system and by the Medicare payment classification – Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Medicare dependent hospitals, sole community hospitals, and rural referral centers.
Author(s): Sharita R. Thomas, G. Mark Holmes, George H. Pink
Date: 03/2016
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Geographic Variation in the Profitability of Urban and Rural Hospitals
Analyzes and compares the 2014 profitability margins of rural and urban hospitals by census region, census division, and by state. Provides information on rural hospitals broken down by Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and other rural hospitals; the other rural hospitals group includes Medicare dependent hospitals, sole community hospitals, and rural prospective payment system hospitals.
Author(s): Sharita R. Thomas, George H. Pink, G. Mark Holmes
Date: 03/2016
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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How Could Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants Be Deployed to Provide Rural Primary Care?
Examines various methods that can be implemented to help nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) meet the increased need for primary care services in rural areas. Provides rural and urban data on the number of new insurance enrollees and estimated primary care visits that resulted from the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
Author(s): Eric H. Larson, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Cynthia Coulthard, Joanne Spetz
Date: 03/2016
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Differences in Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Adolescent Girls in Metropolitan Versus Non-Metropolitan Areas: Considering the Moderating Roles of Maternal Socioeconomic Status and Health Care Access
Compares the rate of human papillomavirus (HPV) in girls aged 12-17 in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas of the U.S. Analyzes cross-sectional data form the 2008-2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Discusses the maternal role as a determining factor in vaccination initiation and completion.
Author(s): Shannon M. Monnat, Danielle C. Rhubart, Sherrie Flynt Wallington
Citation: Maternal and Child Health Journal, 20(2), 315-325
Date: 02/2016
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2015 National Quality Healthcare and Disparities Report: Chartbook for Health Care for Blacks
Summarizes and illustrates trends in healthcare for the Black population regarding access to healthcare and the priorities of National Quality Strategy (NQS). Includes a comparison of the rural and urban Black population and discusses poverty rates in rural areas.
Date: 02/2016
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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AzCRH 2015 Supply and Demand Study of Arizona Health Practitioners and Professionals
Provides an update on Arizona's healthcare workforce data derived from licensing boards, state and federal agencies, surveys, and interviews. Compares rural and urban workforce data and identifies strategies to moderate the workforce demand for rural health services.
Author(s): Joe Tabor, Nick Jennings, Lindsay Kohler, et al.
Date: 02/2016
Sponsoring organization: Arizona Center for Rural Health
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Disparities in Individuals' Access and Use of Health Information Technology in 2014
Reports on patients' use of different types of health information technology (HIT) as of 2014, with a comparison to 2013. See figure 5 for data specific to rural patients' use of HIT.
Author(s): Vaishali Patel, Wesley Barker, Erin Siminerio
Date: 02/2016
Sponsoring organization: Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
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Rural Opioid Abuse: Prevalence and User Characteristics
Compares non-medical use of opioids, opiates, and heroin in rural and urban areas and assesses socioeconomic characteristics associated with their use.
Author(s): Jennifer D. Lenardson, John A. Gale, Erika C. Ziller
Date: 02/2016
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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Child Poverty Higher and More Persistent in Rural America
Examines counties with high child poverty and persistent poverty over a 30-year period from 1980 to 2010, with data for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties. Includes maps showing regional trends.
Author(s): Andrew Schaefer, Marybeth J. Mattingly, Kenneth M. Johnson
Date: 02/2016
Sponsoring organization: Carsey School of Public Policy
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Reasons for Emergency Room Use Among U.S. Adults Aged 18-64: National Health Interview Survey, 2013 and 2014
Examines emergency room (ER) use among adults for 2013 and 2014. Includes data on the number of visits and reason for most recent ER visit, with information available by area of residence for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Reasons for ER visits included seriousness of the medical problem, doctor's office or clinic not open, and lack of access to other providers.
Author(s): Renee M. Gindi, Lindsey I. Black, Robin A. Cohen
Date: 02/2016
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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