Rural Health Disparities – Resources

LGBTQ+ Health: Rural vs Urban Inequities
Provides a summary of recent research on rural versus urban disparities in LGBTQI+ health outcomes. Includes data on chronic conditions, mental health, and social and familial support.
Author(s): Jessica Rosencrans
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Research Gateway
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Racial, Ethnic, and Rural Disparities in Distance to Physicians among Decedents with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias in Washington State
Evaluates travel distance to the nearest neurologist and primary care physician among people whose cause of death was related to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) in the state of Washington. Utilizes 2011-2021 mortality data. Includes breakdowns of distance to care by race, ethnicity, and level of rurality. Highlights geographic access disparities experienced by American Indian, Alaska Native, and Hispanic people.
Author(s): Solmaz Amiri, Jonae I. Keffeler, Dennis R. Crain, Justin T. Denney, Dedra Buchwald
Citation: Alzheimer's & Dementia, 2024, 1-8
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
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The Nature of the Rural-Urban Mortality Gap
Examines rural-urban mortality disparities in the working-age U.S. population. Analyzes the natural-cause mortality (NCM) rate with 1999-2019 data from the Centers for Disease Control's wide-ranging online data for epidemiology research (WONDER) database according to sex, race and ethnicity, health condition, region, and state.
Author(s): Kelsey L. Thomas, Elizabeth A. Dobis, David A. McGranahan
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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The Impact of Rural General Hospital Closures on Communities—A Systematic Review of the Literature
Presents a literature review of studies on the health and economic effects hospital closures have had on rural communities. Analyzes 21 studies completed in the previous 8 years and details the economic and healthcare access outcomes identified.
Author(s): Carol A. Mills, Valerie A. Yeager, Kathleen T. Unroe, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 40(2), 238-248
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
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Clinical Risk and Outpatient Therapy Utilization for COVID-19 in the Medicare Population
Evaluates COVID-19 treatment disparities among Medicare beneficiaries, with comparisons by age, race and ethnicity, Medicaid eligibility, nursing home use, telemedicine use, rural/urban status, and more. Utilizes Medicare Master Beneficiary Summary and Standard Analytic Claim files for the year 2022. Provides data on rates of COVID-19 therapy use, including medication, hospitalization, and outpatient treatment. Highlights undertreatment experienced by populations with high risk of severe infection.
Author(s): Andrew D. Wilcock, Stephen Kissler, Ateev Mehrotra
Citation: JAMA Health Forum, 5(1), e235044
Date: 01/2024
Type: Document
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Unequal Treatment Revisited - The Current State of Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care: Proceedings of a Workshop
Highlights the proceedings of a workshop on addressing racial and ethnic disparities and equitable healthcare delivery. Presents care perspectives for American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities, among others. Discusses health equity research strategies and challenges.
Author(s): Board on Health Care Services
Date: 01/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Research Note Showing That the Rural Mortality Penalty Varies by Region, Race, and Ethnicity in the United States, 1999–2016
Evaluates rural mortality penalties by region, race, and ethnicity using 1999-2016 CDC WONDER data. Identifies regional variations in metro versus nonmetro mortality disparities experienced by Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, White, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native populations.
Author(s): Danielle Rhubart, Alexis Santos
Citation: Demography, 60(6), 1699-1709
Date: 12/2023
Type: Document
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Rural and Urban Differences in Disparities in Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sexual Minority Populations
Examines substance use (SU), substance use disorders (SUD), and SUD treatment in heterosexual and sexual minority populations. Analyzes 2015 to 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data with information broken down by demographics, SU, and large metro, small metro, or nonmetro location.
Author(s): Christina Dyar, Ethan Morgan
Citation: Journal of Rural Health
Date: 12/2023
Type: Document
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2023 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
Provides a comprehensive summary and data analysis of healthcare quality and access in the U.S. Addresses access to healthcare, patient safety, person-centered care, care coordination, effective treatment, healthy living, and care affordability. Focuses on the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare and healthcare systems.
Date: 12/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Disparities in LTSS Needs and Supportive Resources at Age 55, and Outcome Disparities During the Next Decade
Reports on disparities in long-term services and supports (LTSS) needs and resources of adults at age 55, and analyzes outcomes over the next 10 years of their lives, using 2008-2018 longitudinal Health and Retirement Study data. Covers race and ethnicity, rural or urban setting, and other demographic information. Highlights financial resources, health insurance, social supports, cognitive decline, assets, and more.
Date: 12/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: ATI Advisory, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
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