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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: The South

The Association Between Social Functioning and Health Literacy Among Rural Southeastern African Americans with Hypertension
Analyzes how the relationship between social support and health literacy may mitigate health outcomes in African American populations in rural Southeastern USA. Utilizes data from the Southeastern Collaboration to Improve Blood Pressure Control trial to examine social isolation and health literacy in 1,221 individuals, with data further broken down by age, sex, education, income, cognition impairments, marriage status, and study site.
Author(s): Iliana Gutierrez, Joanna Bryan, Elizabeth Baquero, Monika M. Safford
Citation: Health Promotion International, 38
Date: 05/2023
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Increased Wellness and Economic Return of Universal Broadband Infrastructure: A Telehealth Case Study of Ten Southern Rural Counties
Estimates the economic and health impacts of increased rural telehealth availability were broadband infrastructure and services universally available in 10 rural counties across Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. Calculates savings resulting from emergency department visits, lost productivity, preventable admissions, readmissions, and transportation costs for a variety of health conditions, and examines costs and strategies for increasing broadband infrastructure availability.
Author(s): Ry Marcattilio, Christopher Mitchell
Date: 04/2023
Sponsoring organizations: Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) Community Broadband Networks Initiative, Southern Rural Black Women's Initiative (SRBWI)
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COVID-19 Booster Vaccination in Rural Community Pharmacies
Examines perceptions surrounding COVID-19 booster vaccinations in rural southeastern community pharmacies. Utilizes February-March 2022 survey data from 112 pharmacists part of the the Rural Research Alliance of Community Pharmacies (RURAL-CP) and analyzes number of pharmacies offering COVID-19 booster vaccinations, reasons for choosing versus not choosing vaccination, barriers to COVID-19 booster vaccinations, and more.
Author(s): Abigail Gamble, Tessa J. Hastings, Salisa C. Westrick, et al.
Citation: Vaccine, 41(5), 999-1002
Date: 01/2023
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A Granular Look at Internet Speeds and Demographic Groups: Implications for Digital Equity
Research brief on geographic variation in internet speed, utilizing 2020 Census block-level data. Provides statistics on national, Southern, and state-by-state rural-urban broadband speed disparities, with breakdowns by race and ethnicity and presence of children. Discusses barriers to access, broadband, and digital equity.
Author(s): Roberto Gallardo, Brian Whitacre
Date: 09/2022
Sponsoring organization: Southern Rural Development Center
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Preserving Independence among Under-Resourced Older Adults in the Southeastern United States: Existing Barriers and Potential Strategies for Research
Literature review examining barriers to independent aging in the Southeast, including physical, mental, and social challenges related to chronic conditions, health disparities, and access to care. Includes a section on barriers for older adults in rural areas of the Southeast.
Author(s): Ene M. Enogela, Taylor Buchanan, Christy S. Carter, et al.
Citation: International Journal for Equity in Health, 21, 119
Date: 08/2022
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Inequities in Physical Activity Environments and Leisure-Time Physical Activity in Rural Communities
Examines access to physical activity (PA) environments in 3 rural counties in Georgia. Analyzes 2019 survey data from 728 participants in relation to leisure-time PA, walking and biking for transport, and perceived PA environments with data broken down by race, household income, and neighborhood rurality.
Author(s): Michelle C. Kegler, Nicole Gauthreaux, April Hermstad, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 19
Date: 07/2022
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2022 Rural Child Hunger Summit: Keynote Address - Equity In Child Nutrition And Rural Communities
A recorded webinar that discusses equity and child nutrition in the Black Belt Region of the South. Provides strategies and solutions for addressing childhood hunger in rural areas in the U.S. Transcript available below description.
Author(s): Veronica Womack, Sara Bleich
Date: 05/2022
Sponsoring organization: No Kid Hungry
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Evaluating Access to Pediatric Dental Care in the Southeast States
Analyzed 2019 American Community Survey data to evaluate dental care access for children in 10 southeastern states. Considers insurance type and rurality. Makes recommendations for policymakers considering interventions. Note the abstract to the publisher's final edited version of this article.
Author(s): Nicoleta Serban, Simin Ma, Katrine Pospichel, Lisha Yang
Citation: The Journal of the American Dental Association, 153(4), 330-341
Date: 04/2022
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Rural Community Pharmacists' Ability and Interest in Administering COVID-19 Vaccines in the Southern United States
Examines rural, southern community pharmacists' demographic characteristics, COVID-19 vaccine training, and ability to administer COVID-19 vaccines. Utilizes survey responses from 69 pharmacists part of the Rural Research Alliance of Community Pharmacies (RURAL-CP) and provides data on COVID-19 vaccine preparedness, attitudes, and more.
Author(s): Delesha M. Carpenter, Tessa Hastings, Salisa Westrick, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, 62(4), 1379-1383
Date: 01/2022
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Less Internet Access Available for Rural Residents in Counties with Persistent Poverty in the U.S. Deep South and Southwest
County-level map depicting internet availability and persistent poverty counties, distinguishing rural and urban counties. Chart based on USDA Economic Research Service calculations and Federal Communications Commission Form 477 Broadband Deployment data.
Date: 01/2022
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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