Rural Health Disparities – Resources

Trends in Racial, Ethnic, Sex, and Rural-Urban Inequities in Health Care in Medicare Advantage: 2009-2018
Presents an analysis of historical trends in inequities by race and ethnicity, sex, and rural-urban residence among Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans nationwide. Uses patient experience and clinical care measures to examine how inequities in healthcare have changed between 2009 and 2018, how scores for each beneficiary group have changed over time, and which inequities remained in 2018.
Date: 12/2021
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, RAND Corporation
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2019 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report: Chartbook on Rural Health Care
Summarizes trends in healthcare quality and disparities for rural populations. Includes quality measures for access to healthcare, patient safety, person-centered care, care coordination, effective treatment, healthy living, and affordability.
Author(s): Barbara Barton, Romsai Tony Boonyasai, Cecilia Hahn
Date: 11/2021
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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NIH Rural Health Seminar: Structural-Level Determinants of Rural Health Disparities
Recording of a seminar that examines structural-level determinants of rural health disparities, including sociocultural and economic determinants, physical environmental determinants, and research, evaluation, measurement, and policy methods and implications.
Additional links: Seminar Agenda, Speaker Biographies
Date: 11/2021
Sponsoring organizations: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health
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Policies for Reducing Maternal Morbidity and Mortality and Enhancing Equity in Maternal Health: A Review of the Evidence
Examines maternal health in relation to social determinants of health (SDOH), addressing disparities for Black, rural, veteran, and incarcerated mothers. Highlights environmental and healthcare issues, as well as strategies to improve maternal health outcomes through workforce initiatives, data collection, and policy changes.
Author(s): Jodie G. Katon, Daniel A. Enquobahrie, Kate Jacobsen, Laurie Zephyrin
Date: 11/2021
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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QuickStats: Infant Mortality Rates For Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Counties, by Single Race and Hispanic Origin — National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2019
Bar chart showing metropolitan and nonmetropolitan infant mortality rates for infants of non-Hispanic White mothers, non-Hispanic Black mothers, American Indian/Alaska Native non-Hispanic mothers, Asian non-Hispanic mothers, and Hispanic mothers.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(44), 1561
Date: 11/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Health Disparities in Rural Women
Discusses the health disparities that exist for rural women in all categories of women's health, including obstetric and gynecologic outcomes and access to care. Covers programs to improve healthcare services for rural women and recommendations to reduce health disparities.
Date: 11/2021
Sponsoring organization: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
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Longitudinal Analysis of Neighborhood Food Environment and Diabetes Risk in the Veterans Administration Diabetes Risk Cohort
Results of a study examining the association between neighborhood food environment and risk of type 2 diabetes across communities, with breakdowns by high-density urban, low-density urban, suburban, and rural locations. Features statistics including characteristics of the diabetes risk cohort, and incidence of type 2 diabetes by demographic characteristics, overall and by community type.
Author(s): Rania Kanchi, Priscilla Lopez, Pasquale E. Rummo, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 4(10)
Date: 10/2021
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Health Care in Rural America: Use, Affordability, and Access
Report on rural access to healthcare and the overall health of rural adults age 40 and older based on a survey from November 20 to December 18, 2020. Addresses disparities in health, income, and access to health insurance. Presents data on household income, mental health status, chronic conditions, concerns related to visiting healthcare facilities due to COVID-19, and more.
Additional links: Annotated Questionnaire
Date: 10/2021
Sponsoring organization: AARP
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Rural–Urban Health Disparities among US Adults Ages 50 and Older
Report examining health disparities for Americans ages 50 and older by rural/urban location and by race/ethnicity. Analyzes rates of healthcare access, health behaviors, and chronic health conditions based on 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data.
Author(s): Beth Carter, Olivia Dean
Date: 10/2021
Sponsoring organization: AARP Public Policy Institute
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Investigating Rurality as a Risk Factor for State and Trait Hopelessness in Hospitalized Patients With Ischemic Heart Disease
Highlights a study on the correlation between rurality and hopelessness among adults with ischemic heart disease (IHD). Compares rates of hopelessness of patients with IHD in rural and urban areas. Breaks down data by sex, employment, and marriage status, among other factors.
Author(s): Deb Bomgaars, Gwenneth A. Jensen, Lynn L. White, et al.
Citation: The Journal of the American Heart Association, 10(17), e020768
Date: 09/2021
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