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Conducting Rural Health Research, Needs Assessments, and Program Evaluations – Resources

Selected recent or important resources focusing on Conducting Rural Health Research, Needs Assessments, and Program Evaluations.

The Social Determinants of Health of Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity: A Research Framework
Examines the social determinants of health related to childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes from a Native perspective, considering historical trauma, self-determination, and cultural factors. Looks at currently available information, identifies gaps, and provides a research framework to help build a better understanding of the causes of child obesity among Native Americans.
Date: 2015
Sponsoring organization: Notah Begay III Foundation
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Spatial, Temporal and Relational Patterns in Respondent-Driven Sampling: Evidence from a Social Network Study of Rural Drug Users
Reports on a study that used respondent-driven sampling (RDS) to recruit participants who were drug users in rural Central Appalachia. Focuses on the patterns of recruitment in this rural setting using RDS, which relies on an initial set of participants who recruit additional participants from their personal networks.
Author(s): April M. Young, Abby E. Rudolph, Deane Quillen, Jennifer R. Havens
Citation: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 68(8), 792-8
Date: 08/2014
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Building Partnerships in Community-Based Participatory Research: Budgetary and Other Cost Considerations
Explores costs and budget considerations when implementing a community-based participatory research (CBPR) framework to work with communities to reduce health disparities. Analysis can inform budget discussions and assist with planning CBPR project timelines. Table 1 details budget concerns for CBPR project staff and Table 2 lists opportunity costs associated with community partners for a CBPR project.
Author(s): Theresa J. Hoeft, Wylie Burke, Scarlett E. Hopkins, et al.
Citation: Health Promotion Practice, 15(2), 263-270
Date: 03/2014
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The Utility of Rural and Underserved Designations in Geospatial Assessments of Distance Traveled to Healthcare Services: Implications for Public Health Research and Practice
Reviews different definitions and designations of rurality in relation to resident characteristics in a sample of 8 central Texas counties. Discusses the impact that rural definitions can have on research findings and health policy.
Author(s): Matthew Lee Smith, Justin B. Dickerson, Monica L. Wendel, et al.
Citation: Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2013, 960157
Date: 06/2013
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Community Outreach and Engagement to Prepare for Household Recruitment of National Children's Study Participants in a Rural Setting
Discusses the participant recruitment process used in a rural, 4-county Northern Plains area for a longitudinal national children's health study. Identifies successful strategies used in both rural and tribal communities to engage women to participate in the study.
Author(s): Nancy L. Fahrenwald, Betty Wey, Ann Martin, Bonny L. Specker
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 29(1), 61-68
Date: 01/2013
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Comparison of Enrollment Rates of African-American Families Into a School-Based Tobacco Prevention Trial Using Two Recruitment Strategies in Urban and Rural Settings
Describes results from using two recruitment approaches targeting rural and urban African-American elementary school families in the South for enrollment in a tobacco prevention program. The intervention used the Facilitate, Open and transparent communication, Shared benefits, Team and tailored, Educate bilaterally, and Relationships, realistic and rewards (FOSTER) approach, which is based on community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles.
Author(s): Martha S. Tingen, Jeannette O. Andrews, Janie Heath, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Health Promotion, 27(4), e91–e100
Date: 2013
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Community Health Needs Assessment Toolkit
Designed to help rural hospitals conduct a community health needs assessment, which is a requirement for all 501(c)(3) hospitals.
Author(s): Gerald A. Doeksen, Cheryl F. St. Clair
Date: 05/2012
Sponsoring organizations: National Center for Rural Health Works, Oklahoma Office of Rural Health
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Best Practices for Community Health Needs Assessment and Implementation Strategy Development: A Review of Scientific Methods, Current Practices, and Future Potential
Discusses how public health and non-profit hospitals can work together to assess community health and plan for improvement. Addresses reasons rural hospitals and public health can benefit from working together. Based on a July 2011 public forum convened by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Author(s): Kevin Barnett
Date: 02/2012
Sponsoring organization: Public Health Institute
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Contextualizing CBPR: Key Principles of CBPR Meet the Indigenous Research Context
Examines the literature related to community-based participatory research in tribal communities. Covers the key principles of CBPR in the context of tribal research and also identifies additional considerations.
Author(s): Deborah LaVeaux, Suzanne Christopher
Citation: Pimatisiwin: A Journal of Aboriginal and Indigenous Community Health, 7(1)
Date: 06/2009
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Rural Issues Related to Comparative Effectiveness Research and Dissemination
Describes strategies for expanding clinical research in rural environments; implementing practice guidelines in rural settings; and improving access to current evidence-based information for rural health professionals and patients.
Author(s): Ira Moscovice, Michelle Casey
Date: 06/2009
Sponsoring organization: Upper Midwest Rural Health Research Center
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Last Updated: 7/24/2025