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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Social connectedness

Discharge Disposition for Home Health Care Patients with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia: The Role of Living Arrangements and Rural Living
Examines rural versus urban differences in living arrangements and their impact on discharge disposition of patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD). Analyzes 531,269 Medicare fee-for-service patient records with data breakdowns for living arrangement, such as living alone, living at home with others, or living in a congregate setting, as well as sociodemographic and health condition variables. Discusses rural versus urban disparities when a patient discharges to their community or an institution and the impact of social support on ADRD patients.
Author(s): Daniel Jung, Jeong Ha (Steph) Choi, Kerstin Gerst Emerson
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1)
Date: 08/2024
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Active Social Engagement and Health among Older Adults: Assessing Differences by Cancer Survivorship Status
Evaluates whether recent cancer survivorship affects the relationship between active social engagement and health-related quality of life among older adults, utilizing data from 2,914 survey participants in seven states. Includes data on physical and mental health-related quality of life in rural versus urban populations.
Author(s): Jennifer L. Moss, Veronica Bernacchi, Erin Kitt-Lewis
Citation: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 22, 67
Date: 08/2024
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Community-Level Factors and their Associations with Changing Opioid Overdose Fatality Rates in Kentucky, 2019–2021
Identifies associations between community-level factors and opioid overdose fatality rates in Appalachian and non-Appalachian Kentucky counties, and examines how these associations have changed from 2019 to 2021. Discusses societal changes that occurred due to COVID-19, including social isolation, and which may be linked to an increase in overdose deaths. Features statistics with breakdowns by metropolitan, adjacent-to-metropolitan, and nonmetropolitan areas.
Author(s): Shawn R. Nigam, Philip M. Westgate, Svetla Slavova, Rachel Vickers-Smith, Katherine L. Thompson
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(1), 90-115
Date: 07/2024
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Social Induction via a Social Behavioral Intervention on Changes in Metabolic Risk Factors: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Rural Appalachia, United States
Examines the effects of a social network intervention on metabolic health in rural, Appalachian Kentucky. Presents data of 301 participants, including data on change in body weight, waist circumference, mean arterial blood pressure, and other cardiovascular and metabolic health indicators. Evaluates the relationship between social networks, health behaviors, and physical health outcomes.
Author(s): Eric L. Ding, Kathleen T. Watson, Leila Makarechi, et al.
Citation: Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 99(7), 1058-1077
Date: 07/2024
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Patient Perspectives on Cancer Care during COVID-19: A Qualitative Study
Analyzes the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on cancer patients' care experiences and mental health. Utilizes interview data from 15 rural Maryland patients who received a cancer diagnosis or treatment between January 2020 and October 2022. Discusses access to care, consistency of care, telehealth use, social isolation, patient advocacy, COVID-19 precautions, and more.
Author(s): Krista Y. Chen, Olivia Stanford, Jennifer A. Wenzel, Robert L. Joyner, Adrian S. Dobs
Citation: PLoS ONE, 19(7), e0306035
Date: 07/2024
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Perceived Social and Emotional Support Among Teenagers: United States, July 2021–December 2022
Compares child and parent reported social and emotional support among teens aged 12-17. Utilizes National Health Interview Survey and National Health Interview Survey–Teen data to analyze perceived support and related health conditions, with breakdowns according to sex, age group, race, sexual minority status, family income, parental education, region, and urbanization level, including large central or fringe metropolitan, medium or small metropolitan, or nonmetropolitan.
Author(s): Benjamin Zablotsky, Amanda E. Ng, Lindsey I. Black, et al.
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Risk Factors Associated with Loneliness among Mexican-Origin Adults in Southern Arizona
Examines factors associated with symptoms of loneliness among Mexican-origin adults in the U.S.-Mexico border region. Utilizes data of 213 Mexican-origin adults at risk for diabetes or depression in Arizona's Pima, Yuma, and Santa Cruz counties. Evaluates factors including social supports, optimism, physical problem frequency and severity, age, place of birth, and length of residence in the U.S.
Author(s): Mario Morales, Ada M. Wilkinson-Lee, Maia Ingram, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 24, 1694
Date: 06/2024
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New Frontiers for Funding: An Introduction to Grantmaking in Rural Aging
Offers guidance on offering grant funds for rural aging work, discussing scale of funding, rural assets, sustainability, and partnership building. Highlights rural aging issues including health, rural culture, transportation, broadband, housing and institutional care, and social isolation.
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: Grantmakers In Aging
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Loneliness and Social Isolation Are Common in Rural America. Is "Social Infrastructure" the Solution?
Discusses structural factors that contribute to social isolation in rural areas. Features programs in Minnesota, Nebraska, and Alaska that are finding ways to build connection into rural communities.
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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A Comparison Between Farm-Related Stress, Mental Health, and Social Support Between Men and Women Farmers
Highlights a study on the differences in farm-related stress, mental health, and social support for men and women farmers. Discusses the survey-based screening of farmers in Illinois for mental health conditions of men and women farmers and compares rates to each other and to the general population.
Author(s): Josie M. Rudolphi, Courtney Cuthbertson, Amandeep Kaur, Jesus Sarol
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(6), 684
Date: 05/2024
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