North Carolina Resources

Factors Associated With Myocardial Infarction in a Rural Population With Peripheral Arterial Diseases
Examines the association between sociodemographic and clinical risk factors and myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with peripheral arterial diseases (PAD) in Central Appalachia. Uses data from 5,574 patients in 230 counties across Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Features statistics on characteristics of patients with PAD based on presence or absence of MI.
Author(s): Adeola O. Awujoola, Moboni T. Mokikan, Olufeyisayo O. Odebunmi, et al.
Citation: Angiology, 0(0)
Date: 02/2024
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Messaging Preferences About the COVID-19 Vaccine among Adults in Eastern North Carolina
Examines messaging related to COVID-19 vaccines for rural and underserved populations in Eastern North Carolina (ENC). Utilizes qualitative feedback from 40 rural ENC residents regarding vaccines and trust, preferences regarding information, and religious beliefs. Discusses vaccine uptake and the importance of understanding diverse populations and their culture.
Author(s): Abby J. Schwartz, Alice R. Richman, Essie Torres
Citation: Journal of Community Health, 50(1), 71-80
Date: 2024
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Rural Healthcare Partnerships Toolkit: How North Carolina's Rural-Serving Community Colleges Leverage Partnerships to Meet Healthcare Workforce Needs
Toolkit highlighting partnerships between higher education, K-12 schools, healthcare employers, community-based organizations, and government agencies across the state of North Carolina to address rural healthcare workforce shortages in the state. Discusses opportunities for strengthening the healthcare workforce pipeline as well as reducing barriers to entering the pipeline through degree completion.
Date: 2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Postsecondary Practices Partnership
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North Carolina Community Health Worker Program - 2024 Profile
Fact sheet with information about the Community Health Worker (CHW) program, including responsibilities and core competencies, and ways in which CHWs in North Carolina responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. Includes a county-level map showing CHW organization supporting counties, with shadings indicating rural or urban counties.
Date: 2024
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Office of Rural Health
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Healthy Places NC: 10 Years That Changed the Way We Work
Reports on 10 years of activities by Healthy Places NC, an initiative focused on health improvement in North Carolina's rural and underserved communities. Discusses planning and implementation, challenges, lessons, case studies, network development and collaboration, and more. Describes the importance of addressing racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities and achieving health equity.
Additional links: Executive Summary, Video: 10 Years of Healthy Places NC
Author(s): Kristen Burwell Naney, Douglas Easterling, Tanya Beer, Mina Silberberg
Date: 2024
Sponsoring organization: Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust
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Bridging the Gap: INVESTing in HPV Vaccination for Rural Youth
Describes the INVEST (INcreasing VaccinE uptake among Southern Teens) human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine promotion program for rural youth in North Carolina and South Carolina. Discusses program implementation through school nurses and educational materials focused on vaccination and other aspects of adolescent health and wellness.
Author(s): Sayward E. Harrison
Date: 12/2023
Sponsoring organization: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
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Rural and Nonrural Racial Variation in Mentally Unhealthy Days: Findings from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System in North Carolina, 2015–2019
Compares rates at which rural and nonrural Black and White North Carolinians experience days with stress, depression, and problems with emotions, utilizing 2015-2019 North Carolina Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data. Discusses social factors which may influence racial mental health disparities in rural areas.
Author(s): Caroline R. Efird, Derrick D. Matthews, Kathryn E. Muessig, et al.
Citation: SSM - Mental Health, 3, 100199
Date: 12/2023
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Follicular DNA Damage and Pesticide Exposure Among Latinx Children in Rural and Urban Communities
Examines DNA double-strand breaks as an aspect of pesticide exposure among 30 Latinx children from rural, farmworker families and 15 children from urban, non-farmworker families in North Carolina, utilizing a minimally-invasive data collection method utilizing hair follicle samples and silicon wristbands. Provides data on rural-urban disparities in pesticide exposure, outside play, and use of sun protection among study participants, with additional data on seasonal variation.
Author(s): Cassandra Lepetit, Mohamed Gaber, Ke Zhou, et al.
Citation: Exposure and Health, 16, 1039-1052
Date: 11/2023
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Cumulative Environmental Quality Is Associated with Breast Cancer Incidence Differentially by Summary Stage and Urbanicity
Identifies associations between environmental factors and breast cancer stages in North Carolina using the Environmental Quality Index (EQI). EQI factors include air, water, land, sociodemographic, and built environments. Includes analysis of urbanicity, race, screenings, and tobacco use.
Author(s): Larisa M. Gearhart-Serna, Brittany A. Mills, Hillary Hsu, et al.
Citation: Scientific Reports, 13, 20301
Date: 11/2023
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Rural Health and Well-Being
A two-part recorded webinar that first discusses social well-being in rural areas and suggested policy and programmatic interventions to improve well-being. Also provides information on the community-based participatory research Health Equity for Rural Mothers and Families Project (HER), which advocates for health equity for pregnant women and new mothers in rural North Carolina.
Additional links: Part 1 Slides, Part 2 Slides
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Sarah E. (Betsy) Bledsoe
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
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