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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Social determinants of health

Applying the NIOSH Worker Well-Being Framework to Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers: Insights From the Literature
Highlights a study on the efficacy of applying the NIOSH Worker Well-Being Framework to the health and well-being of migrant and seasonal farmworkers. Explores the ways the structure of the framework are described in studies of farmworkers and the ways the structure is not aligned.
Author(s): Tessa Bonney, Dana Madigan, Vinay Espinosa-Ravi, Linda Forst
Citation: American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 68(7), 573-587
Date: 07/2025
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Social Determinants of Health and Rehabilitation Service Areas: An Urban and Rural Mediation Analysis
Analyzes associations between social determinants of health (SDOH) and community discharge rate disparities in rural and urban communities, utilizing AHRQ Social Determinants of Health Database data alongside other ZCTA-level datasets. Identifies key factors for addressing disparities in post-acute rehabilitation services.
Author(s): Sanghun Nam, Susanne Schmidt, Julianna M. Dean, Alex F. Bokov, Timothy A. Reistetter
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 13, 1562610
Date: 06/2025
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Integrating Mental Health Support into Rural Libraries: Evaluation of the Libraries for Health (L4H) Initiative
Presents findings from an evaluation of the implementation of Libraries for Health (L4H), a pilot project embedding nonclinical adult mental health supports into ten libraries in rural Texas. Summarizes how libraries implemented L4H, barriers and facilitators of implementation, and efforts to to build and sustain the program and sustain their capacity to address patrons' mental health needs.
Additional links: Research Summary
Author(s): Lynsay Ayer, Karen Christianson, Ivy Todd, et al.
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
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Bridging the Gap: Examples of Medicaid Innovation Enhancing Health Care Access in Rural America
Describes ways state Medicaid programs can improve access to rural healthcare. Highlights policies implemented in Tennessee, Missouri, and Georgia to fund projects related to improving rural healthcare needs, address social determinants of health, and support rural hospitals that serve large Medicaid and uninsured populations.
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Medicaid Directors
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Patient-Centered Medical Homes: How the Federally Supported Model Minimizes Healthcare Access Disparities for Older Adults in Rural Areas
Examines the impact of the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model on healthcare access in the southern United States. Utilizes data from 746 older adults to analyze access to healthcare, with breakdowns according to PCMH use, demographics, and rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Elisa M. Childs, Orion Mowbray
Citation: INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 62
Date: 06/2025
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Assessing Neighborhood Deprivation Reveals Rural-Urban Disparities in CGM Access Among Children With Type 1 Diabetes
Examines disparities in access to continuous glucose monitor (CGM) technology in rural versus urban and high deprivation versus low deprivation areas, utilizing 2016-2023 pediatric endocrine patient encounter data for a region including parts of Missouri and Kansas. Highlights interactions between rurality, deprivation, access, and neighborhood demographics.
Author(s): Daniel R. Tilden, Christie A. Befort, Brent Lockee, et al.
Citation: Diabetes Care, dc250077
Date: 05/2025
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County Economic Status in Appalachia, FY 2026
Shows levels of economic distress in Appalachian counties based on unemployment rates, income, and poverty levels. Includes interactive map, downloadable maps and data files, and data report.
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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Economic Hardship and Health Within Sociodemographic and Occupational Groups — Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United States, 2022–2023
Reports on economic hardship measures and self-rated health among employed and recently unemployed adults. Hardship measures included lack of health insurance, cost of medical care, employment instability, food insecurity, housing insecurity, utility insecurity, lack of reliable transportation, and receipt of food benefits. Provides data by occupation, including for people employed in farming, fishing, and forestry.
Author(s): Sharon R. Silver, Jia Li, Taylor M. Shockey
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 74(19), 326-333
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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The Protective Role of Community Cohesion Across Rural and Urban Contexts: Implications for Youth Mental Health
Examines the impact of community cohesion on youth resilience during adverse experiences and socioeconomic issues. Utilizes longitudinal data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study and compares rural and urban youth across categories such as neighborhood characteristics, negative life events, community cohesion, and internalizing and externalizing mental health symptoms.
Author(s): Alexis Brieant, Keith B. Burt
Citation: Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 30(2), 140-148
Date: 05/2025
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Rebuilding Maternal Health Access in Western North Carolina: Addressing Critical Gaps Amplified by Hurricane Helene
Discusses the impact of Hurricane Helene on maternal health in rural North Carolina. Focuses on maternal healthcare workforce shortages, access issues in isolated areas, maternal morbidity and mortality, rural health disparities, and more. Offers suggestions to improve rural maternal health in North Carolina, including enhancing data collection, strengthening infrastructure and access, and addressing the social determinants of health.
Author(s): Jennifer Runkle, Maggie Sugg
Citation: North Carolina Medical Journal, 86(1)
Date: 04/2025
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