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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Social connectedness

An Asset-Based Examination of Contextual Factors Influencing Nutrition Security: The Case of Rural Northern New England
Highlights a study aimed at identifying the characteristics that support nutrition security via a case study in rural New England. Bases finding on interviews with nutrition professionals and aims to identify the various factors that correlate with nutrition security, such as local food production and strong social networks, among other factors.
Author(s): Claire H. Ryan, Caitlin Morgan, Jonathan G. Malacarne, Emily H. Belarmino
Citation: Nutrients, 17(2), 295
Date: 01/2025
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2025 Chartbook: AAAs Respond to Complex Community Needs: Trends and New Directions from the National Survey of Area Agencies on Aging
A chartbook offering data from the 2025 National Survey of Area Agencies on Aging. Rural topics discussed include transportation, social engagement, and areas served by Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). Also discusses AAAs services, caregiving, funding, the needs of specific communities, and more.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: USAging
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2025 Missouri Poverty Report
Provides information on rural population health in Missouri, focusing on poverty, economic and family security, education, food and nutrition, health, housing and energy, and social connectedness. Includes rural versus urban as well as county-level data on health and social indicators.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Missouri Community Action Network
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Strategies for Promoting Well-Being Across the Workplace Lifecycle: Case Studies from Rural Community Health Centers, Part 1
A recorded webinar that discusses staff well-being in rural Community Health Centers, with a focus on best practices related to staff recruitment, hiring strategies, and engagement. Includes information on social isolation and loneliness, work-life balance, and social and family needs of healthcare staff in rural areas. Transcript available below description.
Additional links: Rural Recruitment Best Practices
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: Association of Clinicians for the Underserved
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Physician Engagement in Addressing Health-Related Social Needs and Burnout
Results of a 2022 study exploring physicians' engagement in addressing health-related social needs and its association with burnout. Supplementary material features statistics including geographic location with breakdowns by greater or less than 20% rural patient care.
Additional links: Supplementary Content
Author(s): Masami Tabata-Kelly, Xiaochu Hu, Michael J. Dill, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 7(12), e2452152
Date: 12/2024
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The Loss of Rural Vital Places: A Case Study Using the Social Determinants of Health Framework
Interviews 26 residents of a rural Pennsylvania town to explore the impact of the loss of vital places (defined as sources of healthy food, recreational facilities, and social spaces) through a social determinants of health lens. Discusses built environments, economic stability, education, and transportation and their impacts on health and wellbeing.
Author(s): Danielle Rhubart, Jennifer Kowalkowski, Hazel Velasco Palacios, Kristina Brant
Citation: Wellbeing, Space and Society, 7
Date: 12/2024
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Rural Health Webinar Series November 2024
Webinar series discussing rural health issues on topics including social connectedness, digital literacy and internet access, physical activity, community partnerships, graphic medicine, and opioid use. Webinars listed in the "Previous Classes" tab.
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organization: Network of the National Library of Medicine
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Ohio Farmer Stress and Wellbeing Report
Discusses lifestyle and stress factors that impact farmer mental health in Ohio. Provides information and background on the Ohio Agricultural Mental Health Alliance (OAMHA) and their survey data focused on farmer mental health, anxiety, depression, feelings of loneliness, access to mental health services, and more.
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organization: Ohio Rural Health Association
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Community Responses and Adaptations Following the Closure of a Rural Pharmacy and Primary Care Facility
Uses interviews with 26 community members to identify the impact of a pharmacy and primary healthcare facility closure in a rural Pennsylvania community. Discusses challenges for vulnerable populations, distance to care, social networks, delayed treatment, emergency medical services, alternative medicine, and more.
Author(s): Hazel Velasco Palacios, Kristina Brant, Danielle Rhubart, Jorden Jackson
Citation: Journal of Rural Health 41(2), e12896
Date: 11/2024
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Building an Inclusive Disability Community in Rural Idaho: Stories from the Magic Valley
Case study highlighting the work of a rural Center for Independent Living (CIL) in Idaho participating in the Rural Community Living Development (RCLD), a peer support network offering mentorship. Discusses building both community relationships and individual capacity with focus on transportation, social connections, advocacy, independent living skills, and peer support.
Author(s): Lillie Greiman, Genna M. Mashinchi, E. Peterson, et al.
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organization: University of Montana: Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities
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