Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Wellness, health promotion, and disease prevention
Maternal and Infant Health: HHS Should Strengthen Processes for Measuring Program Performance
Provides an overview of the Healthy Start program, which aims to reduce rates of infant death, improve maternal health outcomes, and reduce racial and ethnic disparities. Describes Healthy Start grantees and participants served during the April 2019-March 2024 grant period, as well as services that grantees are expected to provide and changes to these expectations for the 2024-2029 grant period. Explores the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services's (HHS) efforts to measure program performance, the extent to which Healthy Start performance measures meet key attributes of effective measures, and HHS' efforts to align Healthy Start performance measures with those of related HHS programs. Includes information on Healthy Start programs and participants by organization type, race, and rurality. Offers recommendations regarding reviewing and coordinating Healthy Start performance measures across Healthy Start and related programs.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Provides an overview of the Healthy Start program, which aims to reduce rates of infant death, improve maternal health outcomes, and reduce racial and ethnic disparities. Describes Healthy Start grantees and participants served during the April 2019-March 2024 grant period, as well as services that grantees are expected to provide and changes to these expectations for the 2024-2029 grant period. Explores the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services's (HHS) efforts to measure program performance, the extent to which Healthy Start performance measures meet key attributes of effective measures, and HHS' efforts to align Healthy Start performance measures with those of related HHS programs. Includes information on Healthy Start programs and participants by organization type, race, and rurality. Offers recommendations regarding reviewing and coordinating Healthy Start performance measures across Healthy Start and related programs.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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North Central Regional Center for Rural Development 2023 Annual Report
Describes the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development's (NCRCRD) projects and resources in 2023. Covers funding initiatives, grants, collaborations, research, resilient economies, health and wellness, civic engagement, and more.
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
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Describes the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development's (NCRCRD) projects and resources in 2023. Covers funding initiatives, grants, collaborations, research, resilient economies, health and wellness, civic engagement, and more.
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
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Human-Centered Participatory Co-Design with Children and Adults for a Prototype Lifestyle Intervention and Implementation Strategy in a Rural Middle School
Describes the co-design of a physical activity intervention by children, parents, and teachers in Indiana middle schools. Analyzes participant priorities including autonomy, relationship-building, activity choice, and more. Identifies strategies for effective intervention design, and discusses the significance of physical activity interventions for rural areas.
Author(s): Janette M. Watkins, Sarah J. Greeven, Kathleen N. Heeter, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 24, 845
Date: 03/2024
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Describes the co-design of a physical activity intervention by children, parents, and teachers in Indiana middle schools. Analyzes participant priorities including autonomy, relationship-building, activity choice, and more. Identifies strategies for effective intervention design, and discusses the significance of physical activity interventions for rural areas.
Author(s): Janette M. Watkins, Sarah J. Greeven, Kathleen N. Heeter, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 24, 845
Date: 03/2024
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2024 County Health Rankings National Findings Report
Analyzes county-level health and wellness data, focusing on issues such as public investment and health equity. Includes information on access to broadband, information, civic infrastructure and services, and more. Provides U.S. map of county-level life expectancy (LE) and discusses the relationship of LE to civic health.
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: County Health Rankings & Roadmaps
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Analyzes county-level health and wellness data, focusing on issues such as public investment and health equity. Includes information on access to broadband, information, civic infrastructure and services, and more. Provides U.S. map of county-level life expectancy (LE) and discusses the relationship of LE to civic health.
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: County Health Rankings & Roadmaps
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Partnerships to Address Social Needs Across Metropolitan and Non-Metropolitan Prospective Payment System Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals
Explores the extent to which hospitals partner with community organizations to address population and/or community health needs. Analyzes data from the 2021 American Hospital Association Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Supplement to describe the number and types of hospital partnerships with community-based organizations. Compares results by hospital type - metropolitan prospective payment system (PPS), Critical Access Hospital (CAH), and non-metropolitan PPS - and by U.S. Census region, ownership status, and accountable care organization (ACO) participation.
Author(s): Whitney E. Zahnd, Khyathi Gadag, Kristin D. Wilson, Keith J. Mueller
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Explores the extent to which hospitals partner with community organizations to address population and/or community health needs. Analyzes data from the 2021 American Hospital Association Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Supplement to describe the number and types of hospital partnerships with community-based organizations. Compares results by hospital type - metropolitan prospective payment system (PPS), Critical Access Hospital (CAH), and non-metropolitan PPS - and by U.S. Census region, ownership status, and accountable care organization (ACO) participation.
Author(s): Whitney E. Zahnd, Khyathi Gadag, Kristin D. Wilson, Keith J. Mueller
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Practice Facilitation and Peer Coaching for Uncontrolled Hypertension Among Black Individuals: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Evaluated efficacy of peer coaching and practice facilitation compared to enhanced usual care on blood pressure control for 1,209 rural patients in Alabama and North Carolina. Discusses impact of age on findings.
Author(s): Monika M. Safford, Doyle M. Cummings, Jacqueline R. Halladay, et al.
Citation: JAMA Internal Medicine, 184(5), 538-546
Date: 03/2024
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Evaluated efficacy of peer coaching and practice facilitation compared to enhanced usual care on blood pressure control for 1,209 rural patients in Alabama and North Carolina. Discusses impact of age on findings.
Author(s): Monika M. Safford, Doyle M. Cummings, Jacqueline R. Halladay, et al.
Citation: JAMA Internal Medicine, 184(5), 538-546
Date: 03/2024
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Ready or Not 2024: Protecting the Public's Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism
Report explores the readiness of state public health systems to respond to emergencies, such as diseases, disasters, and bioterrorism. Focuses on measures such as hospital safety scores, vaccination rates, and water system maintenance, among others. Includes rural considerations throughout.
Author(s): Matt McKillop, Rhea K. Farberman, Dara Alpert Lieberman
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: Trust for America's Health
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Report explores the readiness of state public health systems to respond to emergencies, such as diseases, disasters, and bioterrorism. Focuses on measures such as hospital safety scores, vaccination rates, and water system maintenance, among others. Includes rural considerations throughout.
Author(s): Matt McKillop, Rhea K. Farberman, Dara Alpert Lieberman
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: Trust for America's Health
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Acceptability and Feasibility of a Mobile Behavioral Economic Health Intervention to Reduce Alcohol Use in Adults in Rural Areas
Presents results of a remotely-delivered alcohol use reduction pilot program focused on promoting use of behavioral economic strategies and participation in alternative activities among 75 rural people with at-risk alcohol use. Discusses the viability of service delivery via mobile phones and other internet-enabled devices to rural and remote areas.
Author(s): Natalie D. Bayrakdarian, Erin E. Bonar, Isabelle Duguid, et al.
Citation: Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports, 100225
Date: 03/2024
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Presents results of a remotely-delivered alcohol use reduction pilot program focused on promoting use of behavioral economic strategies and participation in alternative activities among 75 rural people with at-risk alcohol use. Discusses the viability of service delivery via mobile phones and other internet-enabled devices to rural and remote areas.
Author(s): Natalie D. Bayrakdarian, Erin E. Bonar, Isabelle Duguid, et al.
Citation: Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports, 100225
Date: 03/2024
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Loud and Clear: Improving Access to Hearing Care in Rural America
Discusses barriers to rural hearing care access and the importance of hearing conservation. Features a hearing clinic in South Dakota, a telehealth program in Alaska, and a nationally available agriculture safety program working to address rural hearing care.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Discusses barriers to rural hearing care access and the importance of hearing conservation. Features a hearing clinic in South Dakota, a telehealth program in Alaska, and a nationally available agriculture safety program working to address rural hearing care.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 03/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Urban–Rural Differences in School Districts' Local Wellness Policies and Policy Implementation Environments
Compares urban and rural local wellness policies (LWPs) and implementation environments of 117 Texas school districts. Provides data on LWP goals, including nutrition and physical activity goals, as well as availability of district wellness plans, LWP assessments, and school health advisory councils. Highlights implications for rural school policy and student health.
Author(s): Swati Iyer, Timothy J. Walker, Alexandra L. MacMillan Uribe, et al.
Citation: Nutrients, 16(6), 801
Date: 03/2024
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Compares urban and rural local wellness policies (LWPs) and implementation environments of 117 Texas school districts. Provides data on LWP goals, including nutrition and physical activity goals, as well as availability of district wellness plans, LWP assessments, and school health advisory councils. Highlights implications for rural school policy and student health.
Author(s): Swati Iyer, Timothy J. Walker, Alexandra L. MacMillan Uribe, et al.
Citation: Nutrients, 16(6), 801
Date: 03/2024
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