Rural Health Disparities – Resources

Maternal and Infant Health Mapping Tool
Map-based access to county-level data on maternal health, infant health, and health resources. Includes data on pre-pregnancy health status, preterm births, infant mortality, access to prenatal care, availability of providers, health insurance coverage, demographics, and more.
Type: Map/Mapping System
Sponsoring organization: Maternal and Child Health Bureau
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Solutions in Health Analytics for Rural Equity across the Northwest
Highlights rural health disparities in Alaska, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Presents data on mental and behavioral health, obesity and physical activity, diabetes, tobacco use, oral health, and demographic factors such as housing, education, and health insurance, among others.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: Northwest Center for Public Health Practice (NWCPHP)
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Rural-Urban Disparities in Cancer
Provides data and maps reflecting cancer incidence and mortality, comparing rural, nonmetro urban, and metro counties. Explores urban and rural disparities regarding cancer type, access to healthcare for rural residents, risk factors for cancer incidence, and preventative care.
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Cancer Institute
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Health Equity Toolkit for Rural and Remote Communities
Educational toolkit outlining health equity and steps that rural and remote public health organizations can take to improve health equity. Discusses rural challenges impacting health equity. Offers a curriculum to support staff discussion sessions, procedures for conducting a community health survey, and a session evaluation tool. Email address required to access toolkit documents.
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: OMNI Institute, Pitkin County Public Health, Silver Thread Public Health District
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Where We Call Home: LGBT in Rural America
Series of reports and resources highlighting the social challenges LGBT people face living in rural America, including one focused on LGBT people of color. Includes recommendations for healthcare providers, policy makers, and educators.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: Movement Advancement Project
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Life and Health in Rural America
Series of articles based on reports by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation on life and health in rural America.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organizations: NPR, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
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Journal of Appalachian Health
Highlights issues relating to the health and wellness of rural Appalachian communities. Features peer-reviewed, open access research on health outcomes in Appalachia.
Type: Journal/Newsletter
Sponsoring organization: University of Kentucky College of Public Health
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Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Rural Health
Features rural health initiatives, articles, and other related content to demonstrate the connection between health, rural community and economic development.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
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POLARIS: Rural Health
Collection of CDC's policy-relevant research, data, and resources related to rural health issues. Provides an overview of challenges rural areas face and identifies public health strategies to address specific health concerns.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Index
Provides access to state and county-level comprehensive health scores based on over 300 health condition categories. Includes data by condition for the top 10 national conditions. Identifies top conditions impacting each state and county. Based on claims data of over 43 million Blue Cross Blue Shield commercially insured members.
Additional links: National Health Index
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: Blue Cross Blue Shield
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