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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Cervical Cancer Screening Rates among Rural and Urban Females, From 2019 to 2022
Analyzes frequency of receiving a recent Papanicolau (Pap) test among rural and urban women aged 21 to 65, using Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) data from 2019, 2020, and 2022. Provides screening rate data comparisons by year and by demographic category, including race and ethnicity, age, insurance status, educational level, and more.
Author(s): Tyrone F. Borders, Amanda Thaxton Wiggins
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 7(6), e2417094
Date: 06/2024
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Understanding the Rise of Ransomware Attacks on Rural Hospitals
Explores trends in ransomware attacks on rural hospitals between 2016 and 2021 by analyzing data from the Tracking Healthcare Ransomware Events and Traits (THREAT) database. Describes the types of rural hospitals that experienced ransomware attacks during this period. Compares the frequency of hospitals' operational disruptions during attacks by urban and rural location.
Author(s): Hannah T. Neprash, Claire C. McGlave, Katie Rydberg, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Updated Analysis: Using Population-Based Outcome Measures to Assess the Impact of Telehealth Expansion on Medicare Beneficiaries' Access to Care and Quality of Care
Explores the association between telehealth use, quality of care, and access to care when both telehealth and in-person visits are available to fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare beneficiaries. Compares data from the second half of 2018 and 2019 to the second half of 2022 by the level of telehealth utilization in Hospital Service Areas (HSAs). Describes the effects of telehealth for urban and rural beneficiaries and differentiates between telehealth utilization for behavioral and non-behavioral health services. Updates a June 2023 report that analyzed data from 2021.
Author(s): Tanvi Rao, Angshuman Gooptu, Karin Johnson, Guido Cataife, Steven Susana-Castillo
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organizations: American Institutes for Research, Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Ambient Air Pollution and the Risk of Violence in Primary and Secondary School Settings: A Cross-sectional Study
Examines the relationship among air quality, neurological dysfunction, and violent behavior in schools. Analyzes associations between air pollution and violent incidents in Minnesota schools from 2008-2012. Includes county-level maps showing air pollution levels and location of rural and urban schools, with further data analysis exploring rural versus urban differences in air quality and violent behavior.
Author(s): Austin T. Rau, Alyson B. Harding, Andy Ryan, et al.
Citation: Injury Epidemiology, 11, 24
Date: 06/2024
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Diagnosed Dementia in Adults Age 65 and Older: United States, 2022
Examines the prevalence of diagnosed dementia in the U.S. population in adults aged 65 or older. Utilizes 2022 National Health Interview Survey data to observe dementia prevalence in noninstitutionalized adults, with breakdowns according to demographics, veteran status, education, income, region, and urbanization level, including large central metropolitan, large fringe metropolitan, medium and small metropolitan, and nonmetropolitan location.
Author(s): Ellen A. Kramarow
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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MedPAC Report to the Congress: Medicare and the Health Care Delivery System, June 2024
Evaluates Medicare payment issues and provides recommendations to the U.S. Congress. Covers approaches for updating fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare's physician fee schedule (PFS) payments and incentivizing participation in alternative payment models; provider networks and prior authorization in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans; an assessment of the relative completeness of MA encounter data and other data sources; Medicare coverage and payments for medical software; alternate approaches to lower Medicare payment rates for select conditions in inpatient rehabilitation facilities; and Medicare's Acute Hospital Care at Home program. Includes rural references throughout.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Prime Working Age Natural-Cause Mortality Increases with Rurality, Especially for Females
Bar chart comparing change in natural cause mortality from 1999-2001 to 2017-2019 among working age women and men, with data broken down by county level of rurality.
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Rural Health Disparities in Skin Cancer Amplified Among Skin of Color
Analyzes how geography and the social determinants of health impact skin cancer disparities. Analyzes skin cancer history in rural versus urban populations, with data further broken down by demographics, health plan, healthcare provider access, and income.
Author(s): Rachel R. Lin, Juwon Lee, Andrea D. Maderal, Scott A. Elman
Citation: Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 23(6), 480-484
Date: 06/2024
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Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households: Fiscal Year 2022
Presents an overview of the SNAP Program eligibility requirements and benefit levels. Provides detailed tables showing comparisons in rural-urban areas. Coverage includes October 2021 through September 2022.
Additional links: Research Summary
Author(s): Mia Monkovic
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
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Rural Resurgence: Recent Population Growth in Rural N.C.
Analyzes population trends in rural North Carolina from 2010-2023, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban, suburban, and rural counties, and county-level maps with shadings showing percentages of population increase or decrease.
Author(s): Dalton Bailey
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Center
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