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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

The Role of Comorbidities, Medications, and Social Determinants of Health in Understanding Urban-Rural Outcome Differences among Patients with Heart Failure
Analyzes health outcomes for patients with heart failure and mitigating factors such as comorbidities, guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT), and social determinants of health (SDOH) in rural versus urban areas. Utilizes data from Medicare beneficiaries who had a heart failure hospitalization between 2008 to 2017 to observe mortality rates within 30 days or 1 year, hospital readmission rates, and emergency room (ER) admissions. Discusses health outcome disparities that correlate to patient location.
Author(s): Emily P. Zeitler, Joanna Joly, Christopher G. Leggett, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 40(2), 386-393
Date: 2024
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Rural-Urban Differences in Social and Emotional Protective Factors and Their Association with Child Health and Flourishing
Examines differences in childhood protective factors in rural and urban communities that correlate with childhood health and wellness. Utilizes 2018-2021 data from the National Survey of Children's Health to analyze protective factors such as caregiver emotional and social support, caregiver mental and physical health, family resilience and connectedness, neighborhood and school safety, and more. Includes rural versus urban comparisons with data further broken down by race/ethnicity, sex, age, health status, and marriage status of caregiver.
Author(s): Rose Y. Hardy, Samantha J. Boch, Mattina A. Davenport, Laura J. Chavez, Kelly J. Kelleher
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 40(2), 314-325
Date: 2024
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Rural/Urban Differences in Receipt of Governmental Rental Assistance: Relationship to Health and Disability
Examines the relationship of housing to health and disability. Utilizes 2021 National Health Interview Survey data to analyze home ownership and rental assistance by rural versus urban location, with further breakdowns by demographics, marital status, education and employment status, self-rated health, region, and disability status.
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Alexis Swendener, Katie Rydberg, Megan Lahr, Hawking Yam
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 40(2), 394-400
Date: 2024
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The Breast-Imaging Operations, Practices and Systems Inventory: A Framework to Examine Mammography Facility Effects on Screening in Rural Communities
Examines how mammogram facility resources, policies, and practices in metro versus nonmetro Appalachia are related to breast cancer burden and outcomes. Analyzes survey data from 192 sites to observe catchment area mammography services such as levels of staffing and available technology, practices and policies that promote screening, and quality review processes.
Author(s): Roger T. Anderson, Marianne M. Hillemeier, Fabian T. Camacho, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 40(2), 282-291
Date: 2024
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Gestational Weight Gain Among Urban and Rural Pregnant Individuals Who Smoke or Quit Smoking
Examines the relationship between smoking cessation and gestational weight gain (GWG). Utilizes 2009-2020 Virginia Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data to analyze GWG and smoking in rural versus urban pregnant women.
Author(s): Kinsey Pebley, Asal Pilehvari, Rebecca A Krukowski, Melissa A Little
Citation: American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 66(5), 888-893
Date: 12/2023
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Virginia's Licensed Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Workforce: Comparison by Specialty
Results of the 2022 and 2023 surveys of over 12,000 Virginia Licensed Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). Features statistics including percentages of Virginia APRNs who grew up in rural areas and who are currently practicing in a nonmetro location.
Date: 12/2023
Sponsoring organization: Virginia Department of Health Professions
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2023 Graduate Medical Education Exit Survey Report: Indiana University School of Medicine
Results of a survey of 447 individuals completing graduate medical education programs at the Indiana University School of Medicine in 2023. Data include demographic characteristics, reactions to residency training, and plans after graduation, including where the physicians intended to practice and why they chose that location. Mentions rural throughout.
Author(s): Komal Kochhar, Monling Ho
Date: 12/2023
Sponsoring organization: Indiana University School of Medicine
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Tennessee Health Equity Plan, 2023-2028
Outlines strategies, timelines, and the steps to be taken to ensure equitable health services, meaningful partnerships, engaged communities, and a diverse, skilled workforce in Tennessee. Includes statistics on obesity with breakdowns by urban and rural areas, and maternal care and food deserts.
Date: 12/2023
Sponsoring organization: Tennessee Department of Health
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Washington Long-Term Care Workforce Initiative Legislative Report
Provides an overview of long-term care (LTC) for older adults in Washington and the available LTC workforce. Focuses on workforce demand, initiatives and projects to improve the LTC workforce, and policy recommendations. Provides LTC data for rural Washington, including average facility patient count, staffing hours, number of nursing homes per rural county, and more.
Author(s): Donald J. Smith Jr., Christopher W. Dula, Claire M. Fite, et al.
Date: 12/2023
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Annual Report on the New Hampshire Health Care Workforce and Data Collection: Calendar Year 2023
Includes aggregate data and information on current and projected New Hampshire primary workforce needs and the participation rate on surveys completed by clinicians for the Health Professions Data Center. Features a state map showing rural and nonrural New Hampshire regional public health networks, and statistics on demographics, barriers to care, substance use and mental health, and maternal health. Includes license renewal data for various providers types, and workforce data on physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, and physician assistants, including percentage in rural regions.
Date: 12/2023
Sponsoring organizations: New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, New Hampshire Rural Health & Primary Care
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