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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Urban–Rural Differences in School Districts' Local Wellness Policies and Policy Implementation Environments
Compares urban and rural local wellness policies (LWPs) and implementation environments of 117 Texas school districts. Provides data on LWP goals, including nutrition and physical activity goals, as well as availability of district wellness plans, LWP assessments, and school health advisory councils. Highlights implications for rural school policy and student health.
Author(s): Swati Iyer, Timothy J. Walker, Alexandra L. MacMillan Uribe, et al.
Citation: Nutrients, 16(6), 801
Date: 03/2024
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Mortality for Time-Sensitive Conditions at Urban vs Rural Hospitals During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Analyzed hospitalizations in 3,813 rural and urban facilities to determine patient mortality outcomes for non-COVID-19 time sensitive conditions before and during the pandemic. Discusses rural and urban disparities.
Author(s): H. Joanna Jiang, Rachel M. Henke, Kathryn R. Fingar, Lan Liang, Denis Agniel
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 7(3)
Date: 03/2024
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COVID-19 Affected Rural and Urban Hospital Uncompensated Care
Offers data comparing the impact of COVID-19 on uncompensated hospital care on rural and urban facilities using Medicare Cost Report data for acute care hospitals. Discusses uncompensated care trends over time and analyzes operating expenses.
Author(s): Emmaline Keesee
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research
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Rural-Urban Differences in Housing Cost Burden Across the U.S.
Examines rural-urban differences in housing affordability across Census regions, divisions, states, and counties, using data from the 2017-2021 American Community Survey. Features statistics including the highest proportion of households experiencing housing cost burden by state and rural-urban location, and a county-level map showing percentages of cost-burden households.
Author(s): Alexis Swendener, Jonathan Schroeder, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Generic Drug Utilization and Spending Among Medicare Part D Enrollees in 2022
Issue brief on prescriptions for generic drugs filled by Medicare Part D enrollees using 2022 Part D prescription drug event (PDE) data. Covers commonly used prescription drugs, costs, and conditions treated, and includes data breakdowns by plan type, race and ethnicity, and level of rurality throughout. Discusses formulary design to improve access by promoting affordability and reducing confusion among enrollees.
Author(s): Yevgeniy Feyman, Bisma Sayed, Kenneth Finegold, et al.
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Rural–Urban Differences in Out-of-Network Treatment Initiation and Engagement Rates for Substance Use Disorders
Explores disparities in access to substance use disorder treatments among privately insured individuals in rural and urban areas between 2016-2018. Compares rates of initial and ongoing treatment for alcohol use disorder, opioid use disorder, and other drug use disorders overall and from out-of-network providers for urban and rural patients.
Author(s): Eli Raver, Sheldon M. Retchin, Yiting Li, Andrew D. Carlo, Wendy Y. Xu
Citation: Health Services Research
Date: 03/2024
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Rural Women Have a Prolonged Recovery Process after Esophagectomy
Examines esophagectomy treatment and outcomes among rural and urban women and men using 2003-2022 patient care data from a high-volume cancer center. Discusses sex-based and geographic disparities in esophageal cancer surgery recovery and care access, and highlights the need for interventions to improve care for rural women.
Author(s): Julia Schroeder, Kiran Lagisetty, William Lynch, et al.
Citation: Cancers, 16(6), 1078
Date: 03/2024
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Nonmetropolitan Premiums, Issuer Participation, and Enrollment in Health Insurance Marketplaces in 2022
Policy brief describing differences in unsubsidized and net-of-subsidy premiums in 2022 between nonmetropolitan and metropolitan counties in Health Insurance Marketplace plan design and availability. Features statistics with breakdowns by metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore areas.
Author(s): Abigail Barker, Ayushi Shrivastava, Eliot Jost, Timothy McBride, Keith Mueller
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Increased Migration from Urban Areas Spurs Rural Population Growth, While Urban Migration Growth Is International
Bar chart comparing net migration changes between metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas between 2019 and 2022. Discusses sources of migration increase and the impact of COVID-19 on the trends.
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Breast Cancer Screening among Medicare Advantage Enrollees with Dementia
Compares rates of mammogram screening among screening-eligible women with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) using 2012-2019 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey data. Compares screening rates of Medicare Advantage and fee-for-service Medicare enrollees, with data breakdowns by race and ethnicity, rural versus urban status, and more. Identifies potential risks related to over-screening.
Author(s): Eli Raver, Wendy Y. Xu, Jean Jung, Sunmin Lee
Citation: BMC Health Services Research, 24, 283
Date: 03/2024
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