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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Social determinants of health

Ohio's COVID-19 Populations Needs Assessment
Describes a statewide evaluation of the unique needs of communities in Ohio at increased risk of disease and death due to COVID-19, as well as barriers these communities face in following COVID-19 protective behaviors. Focuses on 6 population groups, including rural communities. Offers 8 recommendations that would mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 across multiple populations.
Additional links: Executive Summary, Findings & Recommendations for Rural Communities
Author(s): Julianna M. Nemeth, Tasleem J. Padamsee
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: The Ohio State University College of Public Health
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Rural Legal Deserts Are a Critical Health Determinant
Highlights the role attorneys play in addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) during the COVID-19 pandemic and how their absence in rural areas exacerbates SDOH. Discusses the concept of "legal deserts" in rural areas, how they affect SDOH, and how things have changed during the pandemic.
Author(s): Michele Statz, Paula Termuhlen
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 110(10), 1519-1522
Date: 10/2020
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Association Between Social Vulnerability and a County's Risk for Becoming a COVID-19 Hotspot — United States, June 1–July 25, 2020
Examines associations between social vulnerability and COVID-19 hotspot locations, based on June 1–July 25, 2020 county-level COVID-19 cases and data from the 2018 CDC social vulnerability index. Includes data by level of urbanicity for large metropolitan, small/medium metro, and nonmetro counties. Looks at both social vulnerability overall and specific components, including racial/ethnic minority population, percent of residents who speak English less than well, and housing and transportation vulnerability.
Author(s): Sharoda Dasgupta, Virginia B. Bowen, Andrew Leidner, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(42), 1535-1541
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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NRHA Policy Paper: Rural Obesity
Policy position paper examining rural-urban differences in obesity prevalence, obesity as a factor in health disparities, differences in weight-related behaviors, and social determinants of health influencing rural obesity. Offers strategies and policy recommendations to address rural obesity.
Author(s): Demetrius Abshire, Cassity Gutierrez
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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The Financing of Rural Health
Features a recording of a panel discussion on innovative strategies for financing rural health. Discusses challenges in rural communities, such as health disparities, limited broadband access, hospital closures, and more. Mentions the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on rural health.
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
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Coordination of Services for People With Serious Mental Illness and General Medical Conditions: Perspectives From Rural Northeastern United States
Highlights a study on healthcare providers' perspectives on the coordination of mental and physical healthcare and social services for rural patients with physical and mental conditions. Breaks down survey responses by coordination level and theme.
Author(s): Marianne Storm, Karen L. Fortuna, Emily A. Gill, et al.
Citation: Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 43(3), 234-243
Date: 09/2020
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The State of Rural Public Health: Enduring Needs in a New Decade
Examines changes in rural/urban disparities over a 40-year period, including differences in life expectancy, social determinants of health, challenges facing local health departments (LHDs), and more. Discusses factors contributing to disparities and provides recommendations to support LHDs and improve public health in rural communities. Supplement contains figures depicting county-level data on life expectancy at birth as well as rural/urban differences in spending at LHDs and transfers to local governments.
Additional links: Supplement
Author(s): Jonathon Leider, Michael Meit, J. Mac McCullough, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 110(9), 1283-1290
Date: 09/2020
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Health Policy Brief: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Health Impact of ACEs in Ohio
Examines the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on health and wellbeing of Ohio residents and provides a state map that examines ACE prevalence by region. Includes discussions about the potential adverse consequences of ACEs as well as the percentage of residents who have experienced multiple ACEs, broken down by urban, suburban, Appalachian, non-Appalachian, and rural county.
Date: 08/2020
Sponsoring organization: Health Policy Institute of Ohio
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Investing in Rural Communities to Achieve Health Equity
Brief describing how The Two Georgias Initiative supported communities in their efforts to address the growing health and healthcare disparities occurring in rural areas of Georgia. Discusses the collective efforts of 11 organizations representing rural communities to establish a community health coalition and a community health improvement plan that includes representation of those most impacted by health inequities. Encourages grantmaking organizations to create funding opportunities that address health equity issues in rural areas.
Author(s): Lisa Medellin, Samantha Bourque Tucker
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: Grantmakers in Health
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The Improved Health Outcomes Program (iHOP): A Unique Model to Promote Provider-Driven Research in a Medicaid Population
Describes the iHOP program, a grant-funded partnership between a Medicaid managed care insurer, the University of Louisville, and healthcare providers in Kentucky. The program operated from 2007-2018 and was designed to address the healthcare needs of Medicaid and uninsured populations across the state. Includes information on specific project initiatives, including those focused on special populations such as refugees, Latinos, and rural individuals.
Author(s): Tara J. Schapmire, Jill Bell, Mark. P. Pfeifer
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(14), 5079
Date: 07/2020
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