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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Social connectedness

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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Enduring Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Access, Nutrition, and Well-Being in Rural Appalachia
Examines the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on a rural, Appalachian community in Kentucky. Utilizes focus group data from 39 participants to analyze ongoing issues such as social isolation, cost of living, and food access. Discusses how these issues affect mental health, access to needed medications, and ability to purchase nutritious food.
Author(s): Kathryn M. Cardarelli, Emily DeWitt, Rachel Gillespie, Nathan Bandy, Heather Norman-Burgdolf
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(5), 594
Date: 05/2024
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Providing Behavioral Health Support for Older Adults
Podcast episode featuring a discussion with leaders of Broaddus Hospital, a Critical Access Hospital in West Virginia, describing how they work to identify and fill the unique mental health needs of older adults in the community, including the development of an intensive outpatient group therapy program for older adults.
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Ensuring Equitable Application of Interventions to Vulnerable Subpopulations in the Kentucky Consortium for Accountable Health Communities (KC-AHC)
Results of a study to assess the equity of the Kentucky Consortium for Accountable Health Communities model activities among dual enrollees, disabled people, and women. Uses data gathered from August 2018 to April 2021 in a largely-rural 29-county area in Appalachian Kentucky. Features statistics with breakdowns by year and by subpopulation.
Author(s): Jing Li, Jessica M. Clouser, Akosua Adu, et al.
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(1/2), 38–56
Date: 04/2024
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Social Infrastructure Availability and Suicide Rates Among Working-Age Adults in the United States
Examines the relationship between county-level social infrastructure (SI) and suicide rates among working-age adults. Analyzes 2016-2019 National Vital Statistics System mortality data and 2013-2015 National Neighborhood Data Archive information on community SI, providing statistical correlations as well as county-level maps. Discusses the relationship among county demographic, socioeconomic, healthcare, and SI factors in relation to mental health and well-being.
Author(s): Xue Zhang, Danielle C. Rhubart, Shannon M. Monnat
Citation: Socius: Sociological Research for a Dynamic World, 10
Date: 04/2024
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Visiting with Elders - Aging, Caregiving, and Planning for Future Generations of American Indians and Alaska Natives
Reports on a listening session to identify themes in the perspectives of American Indian and Alaska Native elders on aging, age-related diseases, and caregiving. Discusses culture, elder abuse, social connection, barriers to healthcare and other services, dementia education, and more.
Author(s): Cole Allick, Marija Bogic
Citation: Genealogy, 8(2), 36
Date: 03/2024
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Greener Pastures
A documentary that follows 4 Midwestern farm families over a number of years and examines issues such as mental health, social isolation, climate change, and economic uncertainty. Provides commentary on farming life in rural America.
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: Public Broadcasting Service
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The Health and Social Impacts of the Maui Wildfires: Post-Disaster Care from a Sociocultural Lens
Highlights the impact of a wildfire event on existing health and social service disparities in Maui, Hawaii. Discusses housing, employment, finances, mental health, suicide risk, culture, social isolation, rurality, and service limitations. Notes opportunities and challenges for addressing these impacts using telehealth and outside assistance.
Author(s): Ryan Holliday, Lauren S. Krishnamurti, Shiloh E. Jordan, et al.
Citation: Hawai'i Journal of Health & Social Welfare, 83(3), 85-87
Date: 03/2024
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Aging Our Way, PA: A Plan for Lifelong Independence
Draft of a master plan for aging (MPA) for Pennsylvania. Highlights 5 priorities areas and their associated strategies and tactics related to access to services, aging in place, independence, caregiving, and awareness building. Includes rural throughout.
Date: 02/2024
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Department of Aging
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NCHS Rapid Surveys System: Round 5 - Positive Childhood Experiences, Attitudes on Childhood Vaccines
Interactive data on positive childhood experiences and attitudes on childhood vaccination from July 2024. Includes tables and charts on support systems, neighborhood infrastructure, social connection, sources of information for childhood vaccines, and vaccine accessibility. Breaks down data by various demographics including urbanicity.
Date: 2024
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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