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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Wellness, health promotion, and disease prevention

Attitudes, Social Norms, and Perceived Behavioral Control Factors Influencing Participation in a Cooking Skills Program in Rural Central Appalachia
Reports the results of a study examining the attitudes, social norms, perceived behaviors, and intentions of central Appalachia residents in Kentucky regarding their motivation and participation in a nutrition education and cooking skills program to improve dietary habits and overall health.
Author(s): Frances Hardin-Fanning, JaNelle M. Ricks
Citation: Global Health Promotion, 24(4), 43-52
Date: 12/2017
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Rural Aging in America: Proceedings of the 2017 Connectivity Summit
Summarizes discussions from the 2017 Connectivity Summit on rural aging in the U.S. Covers social connections, access to health resources, and innovative approaches to improve care and deliver programs to the rural elderly. Includes recommendations for stakeholders to improve collaboration and work to improve the health of aging rural residents.
Author(s): Alexis Skoufalos, Janice L. Clarke, Dana Rose Ellis, Vicki L. Shepard, Elizabeth Y. Rula
Citation: Population Health Management, 20(Suppl 2), S-1-S-10
Date: 12/2017
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Evaluation of a Potential New Health Sciences School at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke to Meet the Needs of the Region and State
Results of a study exploring the feasibility of establishing a School of Health Sciences and Health Care in Robeson County, a rural high-poverty area ranked among the worst for health outcomes in North Carolina in 2016. Features statistics on the North Carolina workforce and education programs in optometry, occupational therapy, nutrition and dietetics, as well as physician assistants and nurse practitioners.
Author(s): Julie C. Spero, Thomas J. Bacon, Evan M. Galloway, et al.
Date: 12/2017
Sponsoring organization: The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research
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Suicide Clusters Within American Indian and Alaska Native Communities: A Review of the Literature and Recommendations
Analyzes suicide clusters within American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations to develop recommendations to prevent and address suicide clusters within AI/AN communities. Discusses risk, developmental, and protective factors influencing likelihood that individuals will consider, attempt, or complete suicide.
Date: 12/2017
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Understanding the Impact of Suicide In Rural America
Analyzes suicide rates and the impact of suicide in rural areas, highlights suicide in tribal communities and suicide prevention among U.S. veterans. Covers state and federal prevention strategies and discusses recommendations for research and evaluation, and outreach, promotion, and awareness.
Date: 12/2017
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Chartbook: Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities in a Changing Kansas
Examines trends in demographics, the social determinants of health, and health outcomes in Kansas. Includes statistics and data with a rural versus urban comparison on: population characteristics; education; income, employment, and insurance; housing and household characteristics; nutrition, physical activity, and related outcomes; substance use; healthcare and preventive services; disease and disability; births; and mortality.
Additional links: Appendix A. Population Characteristics, Appendix B. Education, Appendix C. Income, Employment, and Insurance, Appendix D. Housing and Housing Characteristics, Appendix E. Disease and Disability, Appendix F. Births, Appendix G: Mortality, Appendix H: Technical Notes
Author(s): Lawrence John Panas
Date: 12/2017
Sponsoring organization: Kansas Health Institute
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Human Intestinal Parasite Burden and Poor Sanitation in Rural Alabama
Reports on the presence of intestinal parasites in Lowndes County, Alabama, a location selected for this study due to high poverty, use of open-sewage systems, and past hookworm burden. Findings based on participant interviews and stool, serum, and soil samples. Includes data on parasite infection, participant gender, raw sewage in the home, asthma or other lung disease, and diarrhea in the past week.
Author(s): Megan L. McKenna, Shannon McAtee, Patricia E. Bryan, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 97(5), 1623-1628
Date: 11/2017
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Older Adult Social Participation and Its Relationship with Health: Rural-Urban Differences
Analyzes social participation among older adults and if the relationships between social participation and health differ between rural and urban settings in Wisconsin. Includes study population statistics on current and past self-reported health status, marital status, employment, age, income, social participation, and rurality.
Author(s): Eric M. Vogelsang
Citation: Health & Place, 42, 111-119
Date: 11/2017
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Store Owners as Potential Agents of Change: Energy Drinks in the Interior of Alaska
Discusses how store workers can act as health advocates by limiting or promoting specific products to improve the health status of their rural Alaskan community members.
Author(s): Janet M. Wojcicki, Peter de Schweinitz
Citation: International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 76(1)
Date: 11/2017
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Pain in the Nation: The Drug, Alcohol and Suicide Crises and the Need for a National Resilience Strategy
Examines current trends, causes, costs, and potential solutions to the drug, alcohol, and suicide crises in the U.S. Includes rural data and discussion of rural-specific issues.
Author(s): Laura M. Segal, Anne De Biasi, Jennifer L. Mueller, Kendra May, Molly Warren
Date: 11/2017
Sponsoring organization: Trust for America's Health
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