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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Social determinants of health

Social Determinants of Health in the Age of COVID: Effects of Social Isolation Among Adults 62+ in Rural Pennsylvania
Results of a study analyzing the extent of social isolation among rural Pennsylvanians aged 62 or older during the pandemic, evaluating determinants of social isolation, identifying programs and services that minimize social isolation, and assessing potential replicability in Pennsylvania. Includes sections on factors such as mental health access, faith-based organizations, transportation, technology use, and housing options.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Christopher Harris, FangHsun Wei, Mary Rita Weller, Kelly Smith
Date: 11/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Economic Development and Native Communities: An Interview with Martin Jennings
An interview with Martin Jennings, leader of the Northwest Indian Community Development Center, a native-controlled nonprofit with a focus on wellness and equity for American Indian families in northern Minnesota.
Author(s): Joelle Cook, Martin Jennings
Date: 11/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: FSG
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Bringing Community Voice into Cross-Sector Data Sharing: Addressing the Health Needs of Children and Youth in Rural South Carolina
A case study that discusses collaboration across multiple organizations involved with the Learning and Action in Policy and Partnerships (LAPP) initiative to improve data sharing around socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity disparities in youth living in rural South Carolina. Discusses how improved data sharing and collaboration can help rural schools and community leaders address students' physical and mental health needs.
Date: 11/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Center for Health Care Strategies, Data Across Sectors for Health
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Health, Work, and Care in Rural America
Report examining rural access to paid leave from work, the economic impacts of limited access to paid leave, and distances to hospital-based and skilled nursing care. Offers a broad view of rural economic and health dynamics, travel burdens to access hospital-based care, and presents policy recommendations to address paid leave as a social determinant of health.
Author(s): Vicki Shabo, Hannah Friedman
Date: 11/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: New America
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Future of Population Health Efforts for Rural Health Systems
Slides presented at the Becker's Hospital Review 10th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable Conference in November 2022. Discusses approaches to understanding and addressing social determinants of health, including community health needs assessments (CHNAs) and Accountable Health Communities (AHCs), and offers links to tools and resources. Highlights needs addressed and implementation challenges faced by two rural AHCs.
Author(s): Keith J. Mueller
Date: 11/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute
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Understanding and Addressing Social Determinants of Health: Opportunities to Improve Health Outcomes - A Guide for Rural Health Care Leaders
Provides an overview of knowledge, strategies, and resources regarding the impact of social determinants of health on patients and communities. Serves as a resource for rural healthcare leaders to lead and support the education of front-line staff and discussions on addressing social determinants of health. Focuses on understanding the needs and opportunities to address social determinants of health, using local data to support decision-making, and involving team members to plan and implement action steps.
Date: 11/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
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Assessing Effectiveness of Early Childhood Home Visiting Models Implemented with Tribal Populations
Report assesses the efficacy of early childhood home visiting models for tribal populations. Reviews and assesses home visiting literature, information, and implementation procedures to establish best-practices for American Indian and Alaska Native populations.
Author(s): Rachel Bleiweiss-Sande, Emily Sama-Miller, Carla Chavez, Rebecca Coughlin, Andrea Mraz Esposito
Date: 10/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Children and Families
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Assessment of Strategies Used in US Hospitals to Address Social Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Presents findings on efforts to address social determinants of health (SDOH) by rural hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), and safety-net hospitals according to 2020 American Hospital Association survey data. Discusses rates of social needs among patient populations served by rural and urban hospitals and rates of SDOH screening and community partnerships.
Author(s): Jose F. Figueroa, Ciara Duggan, Cristina Toledo-Cornell, et al.
Citation: JAMA Health Forum, 3(10), e223764
Date: 10/2022
Type: Document
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Using Z Codes to Improve Health Equity in Rural Indiana
Describes how Cameron Memorial Community Hospital, a Critical Access Hospital in Indiana, used ICD-10-CM Z codes to detect and address patients' social needs as part of its health equity strategy.
Date: 10/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Outcomes in Total Knee and Hip Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review on Healthcare Disparities
Examines health disparities in patient access, utilization, and outcomes related to total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Conducts a literature review of 44 studies that discuss socioeconomic factors associated with TJA disparities such as insurance type, socioeconomic status, hospital volume, and rural versus urban geographic location.
Author(s): Paul M. Alvarez, John F. McKeon, Andrew I. Spitzer, et al.
Citation: Arthroplasty, 4, 36
Date: 10/2022
Type: Document
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