Chronic Disease in Rural America – Resources

Reducing Potentially Excess Deaths from the Five Leading Causes of Death in the Rural United States
Reports on the rural-urban disparities regarding potentially preventable deaths caused by heart disease, cancer, unintentional injury, chronic lower respiratory disease (CLRD), and stroke for populations less than 80 years of age. Discusses factors impacting the rural-urban gap, and offers suggestions for reducing these disparities and improving health. Updated in a November 2019 report.
Author(s): Macarena C. Garcia, Mark Faul, Greta Massetti, et al.
Citation: MMWR Surveillance Summaries, 66(2), 1-7
Date: 01/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Native Americans with Diabetes: Better Diabetes Care Can Decrease Kidney Disease
Provides an overview of diabetes and related kidney disease among American Indians and Alaska Natives. Describes an Indian Health Service (IHS) approach using population health and team-based approaches to diabetes and kidney care.
Additional links: Podcast
Date: 01/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Geographic Accessibility of Pulmonologists for Adults with COPD
Examines county-level geographic access to pulmonologists for adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Includes statistics describing the distance in miles to a pulmonologist or primary care physician for adults living in rural areas. Figure 1 overlays locations of pulmonologists with county estimates of adults with COPD. Figure 2 overlays the locations of primary care physician locations with county estimates of adults with COPD.
Author(s): Janet B. Croft, Hua Lu, Xingyou Zhang, James B. Holt
Citation: Chest, 150(3), 544-553
Date: 09/2016
Type: Document
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Polypharmacy and Health-Related Quality of Life Among US Adults With Arthritis, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 2010-2012
Results of a study of 6,132 adults with arthritis, to determine the relationship between treatment with prescription drugs from 6 or more drug classes and health-related quality of life. Features demographic statistics with breakdown between urban and rural areas of residence.
Author(s): Abdulkarim M. Meraya, Nilanjana Dwibedi, Usha Sambamoorthi
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 13
Date: 09/2016
Type: Document
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Home-Based Cardiac Care for Rural Veterans
Video describing the Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Focuses on individualized care for rural veterans through cardiac telehealth. This program allows for one-on-one care for patients who cannot come for traditional clinic rehab appointments due to geographic isolation, transportation challenges, or other impediments.
Date: 08/2016
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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Health without Borders
Video featuring the Health without Borders (HwoB) program, which uses promotoras to provide immunizations door-to-door. This approach is popular in Mexico and provides a familiar experience for the immigrants that HwoB serves in Luna County, New Mexico. Transcript available in the video description.
Date: 06/2016
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Vivir Mejor! (Live Better!)
Video highlighting the Vivir Mejor! (Live Better!) program, a comprehensive, culturally competent diabetes education program for Hispanic/Latino populations in rural Arizona. Features program staff and patients sharing how the program impacted the health of people in the region.
Date: 06/2016
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Peer Support for People with Chronic Conditions in Rural Areas: A Scoping Review
Results of a project to discover and explore articles published from 2000 to 2014 on community-based initiatives for adults with chronic conditions in rural settings, including 7 programs in the United States, 2 in Australia, and 1 in Canada.
Author(s): Heidi M. Lauckner, Susan L. Hutchinson
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 16(1), 3601
Date: 03/2016
Type: Document
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Diagnoses and Prevalence of HIV Infection Among Hispanics or Latinos - United States, 2008-2013
Reports on changes in diagnoses of HIV infection in Hispanic and Latino adults and adolescents between 2008 and 2013. Table 1 includes year-by-year data by location of residence for urban, suburban, and rural areas.
Author(s): Kristen Mahle Gray, Eduardo E Valverde, Tian Tang, Azfar-e-Alam Siddiqi, H. Irene Hall
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 64(39), 1097-103
Date: 10/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Offering Chronic Disease Self-Management Education in Rural Areas
Identifies challenges rural areas face in implementing evidence-based chronic disease self-management education (CDSME). Recommends strategies and resources rural communities can use to implement CDSME programs. Includes examples of successful programs.
Date: 07/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Council on Aging
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