Rural Health Disparities – Resources

Rural Resilience: The Role of Birth Centers in the United States
Highlights a study on the efficacy of the birth center model for maternity care and delivery in rural communities compared with their urban and suburban counterparts. Breaks down data by core variables, such as maternal age, maternal and infant outcomes, and transfers, among other measures.
Author(s): Diana Jolles, Susan Stapleton, Jennifer Wright, et al.
Citation: Birth, 47(4), 430–437
Date: 12/2020
view details

Healthy Places for Children: The Critical Role of Engagement, Common Vision, and Collaboration
Explores the role of child-friendly zoning in creating positive outcomes for rural and suburban children. Discusses the role of child-friendly zoning codes and services in addressing social determinants of health and public health outcomes. Breaks down the various aspects to be considered in creating child-friendly zoning codes and outlines child-focused services.
Author(s): Mildred E. Warner, Xue Zhang
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(24), 9277
Date: 12/2020
view details

Healthy Women, Healthy Pregnancies, Healthy Futures: Action Plan to Improve Maternal Health in America
Action plan outlining steps the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is taking to reduce maternal mortality and address disparities that endanger women before, during, and following pregnancy. Four main goals include: improving prevention and treatment services to promote positive health outcomes for every woman of reproductive age; prioritizing quality improvement efforts to support healthy pregnancies and births; improving postpartum health; and enhancing data and research to inform future interventions. Includes data and statistics on maternal health and morbidity, and addresses rural considerations throughout.
Author(s): Dawn Alley, Andre Chappel, Nancy De Lew, et al.
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
view details

Infant Mortality in Rural and Nonrural Counties in the United States
Examines infant mortality at the county level and across the rural-urban continuum of the U.S. Utilizes infant death records from 2014 to 2016 to analyze infant mortality by rural-urban classification, county-level demographics, and individual-level demographics and healthcare characteristics.
Author(s): Deborah B. Ehrenthal, Hsiang-Hui Daphne Kuo, Russell S. Kirby
Citation: Pediatrics, 146(5)
Date: 11/2020
view details

Synergistic Disparities and Public Health Mitigation of COVID-19 in the Rural United States
Describes how public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic emphasize racial, economic, and geographic disparities, especially among rural and poor populations. Covers public health mitigation measures, including disease surveillance, physical distancing, hand and respiratory hygiene, and public health communication. Discusses the ethical demands of public health practice during and following a public health emergency.
Author(s): Kata Chillag, Lisa Lee
Citation: Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 17(4), 649-656
Date: 11/2020
view details

Rural Legal Deserts Are a Critical Health Determinant
Highlights the role attorneys play in addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) during the COVID-19 pandemic and how their absence in rural areas exacerbates SDOH. Discusses the concept of "legal deserts" in rural areas, how they affect SDOH, and how things have changed during the pandemic.
Author(s): Michele Statz, Paula Termuhlen
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 110(10), 1519-1522
Date: 10/2020
view details

The U.S. Rural Mortality Penalty is Wide and Growing
Policy brief examining rural-urban differences in mortality rates among non-Hispanic White people from 1990-2018. Features statistics with breakdowns by age group, sex, metropolitan and nonmetropolitan location, cause of death, and mortality rate per 100,000 people.
Author(s): Shannon M. Monnat
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organizations: Center for Aging and Policy Studies, Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion
view details

Rural/Urban Differences in Children's Health
Examines differences in child health conditions by rural and urban residency. Explores differences in mental and behavioral health, weight status and physical activity, adverse childhood experiences, and access to healthcare.
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Maternal and Child Health Bureau
view details

Rural-Urban Mortality Disparities: Variations Across Causes of Death and Race/Ethnicity, 2013–2017
Examines rural-urban disparities in mortality and leading causes of death across racial/ethnic groups between 2013-2017. Analyzes data from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) and CDC Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER).
Author(s): Janice C. Probst, Whitney E. Zahnd, Peiyin Hung, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 110(9), 1325-1327
Date: 09/2020
view details

Stress and Physical Activity in Rural Cancer Survivors: The Moderating Role of Social Support
Details a study on the relationship between social support, leisure-time physical activity, and psychological distress among rural and urban cancer survivors. Breaks down data by age, sex, and cancer type, among other measures.
Author(s): Scherezade K. Mama, Nishat Bhuiyan, Joshua Smyth, Kathryn H. Schmitz
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 36(4), 543-548
Date: 09/2020
view details