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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Social determinants of health

A Health Equity Approach to Obesity Efforts: Proceedings of a Workshop
Proceedings of a workshop focused on health equity in demographic groups with a higher risk of obesity and how to address those issues in obesity treatment and prevention efforts. Covers disparities in obesity prevalence, including for rural areas and American Indian/Alaska Natives, social determinants of health, community and public health approaches for preventing and treating obesity, and effective healthcare interventions.
Additional links: Read Online: Full Proceedings, Read Online: Summary, June 2019
Author(s): Roundtable on Obesity Solutions
Date: 12/2019
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Area Deprivation as a Risk Factor for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Infection in Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis
Examines the prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Infection (MRSA) in children with cystic fibrosis, studying the relationship between MRSA rates and socio-environmental conditions. Analyzes statistical data of patients in Alabama, comparing rurality and area deprivation to rates of MRSA. Discusses the rates of infection in rural and underserved areas as a consideration for prevention and treatment strategies.
Author(s): Gabriela R. Oates, William T. Harris, Steven M. Rowe, et al.
Citation: The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 38(11), e285-e289
Date: 11/2019
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Transforming Persistent Poverty in America: How Community Development Financial Institutions Drive Economic Opportunity
Report discusses the role community development financial institutions play in rural communities. Highlights economic and social barriers in rural counties, such as unemployment, lack of financial institutions, inadequate housing, structural inequality, and lack of access to healthcare, among others.
Date: 11/2019
Sponsoring organization: Partners for Rural Transformation
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Child Poverty Declines Slightly in 2018 to 18 Percent
Brief summary of child poverty rates. Includes a line chart showing the percent of children in poverty from 2007 through 2018 for city, suburban, and rural places.
Author(s): Jessica A. Carson
Date: 09/2019
Sponsoring organization: Carsey School of Public Policy
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A New Portrait of Rural America
Examines nine different types of rural counties: the African American South, aging farmlands, evangelical hubs, graying America, Hispanic centers, LDS enclaves, Native American lands, rural middle America, and working class country. Reports on factors impacting rural communities overall and by county type, including health insurance coverage and health status as well as demographic and socioeconomic factors. Includes county-level data for all counties and features on individual counties for each county type.
Additional links: Interactive: Explore Rural America's Diversity, Report, Resources: Community Type Maps and Data, Videos: Rural Report Findings and Discussion With Community Leaders
Date: 09/2019
Sponsoring organization: American Communities Project
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Toolkit: State Strategies to Support Older Adults Aging in Place in Rural Areas
Describes state initiatives helping older rural adults age in place by supporting services allowing them to remain in their homes. Strategies are focused around building the workforce, increasing access to services in rural areas, and addressing social determinants of health. Includes examples of programs that have already been implemented as well as emerging ideas from several states across the country.
Author(s): Neva Kaye, Kristina Long
Date: 09/2019
Sponsoring organizations: Health Resources and Services Administration, National Academy for State Health Policy, National Organizations of State and Local Officials
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Greater Good Podcasts Rural Health Segment, Part 1: How Did We Get Here? Rural Health Challenges in America
Set of three podcast episodes featuring Erika Ziller and Yvonne Jonk of the Maine Rural Health Research Center discussing current rural health issues and challenges, as well as historical factors related to the current rural health system. Addresses rural aging and long-term care, dental care, health insurance coverage, and health-related impacts of growing up in a rural community. Also compares rural health in Maine, other parts of the U.S., and rural communities in other countries.
Additional links: Part 2: Growing Up Rural, Part 3: Rural Health in Maine and America vs. the World
Author(s): Carrie Wilshusen, Erika Ziller, Yvonne Jonk
Date: 09/2019
Sponsoring organization: University of Maine Graduate and Professional Center
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The Impact of Geographic Isolation on Mental Disability in the United States
Examines the association between geographic isolation and mental disability using the 2000 decennial census and supplementary county-level data from other sources. Analyzes factors including social isolation, socioeconomic status, and income inequality.
Author(s): Christopher G. Hudson, Nathan J. Doogan
Citation: SSM - Population Health, 8, 100437
Date: 08/2019
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Home Equity: A Vision of Housing Security, Health and Opportunity
Provides data demonstrating the interrelationship between housing insecurity and health equity. Examines how policies and racism have impacted housing stability in Colorado's rural, urban, and suburban communities. Looks at the challenges to housing security faced by communities of color, undocumented immigrants, people with disabilities, families with children, low income households, rural communities, and homelessness populations. Suggests housing policies that may impact communities and improve housing security.
Date: 08/2019
Sponsoring organization: Colorado Health Institute
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Medicaid: Efforts to Identify, Predict, or Manage High-Expenditure Beneficiaries
Describes strategies used in 7 states to manage beneficiaries' healthcare costs while ensuring quality care, and lists resources the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services provides to help states identify, predict, and manage high-expenditure beneficiaries. Discusses effects of social determinants of health and staff shortages in rural areas. Includes statistics for Medicaid expenditures among beneficiaries enrolled only in Medicaid, for fiscal years 2009-2011.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 08/2019
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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