Chronic diseases and conditions

Current Projects

Cancer Hospitalizations in Rural-Urban Areas in Relation to Carcinogenic Discharges from Toxics Release Inventory Facilities
Research center : West Virginia Rural Health Research Center
Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Environmental & agricultural health, Hospitals and clinics, Public health
The purpose of the research is to understand whether discharges of carcinogens from Toxics Release Inventory facilities are related to higher cancer hospitalization rates in rural and urban settings. Evidence for this association will have potential implications for improvements to environmental policy or policies for improved cancer detection and treatment in rural settings.

Dialysis Availability in Rural America
Research center : South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Medicare
Working from Medicare Dialysis Compare files and the Standard Analysis File of the US Renal Data System, we will evaluate the current availability of dialysis services across rural America. We will examine general availability of services, service to population ratios, and patient outcome measures across levels of rurality.

Do Rural Patients with Early Stage Prostate Cancer Gain Access to All Treatment Choices?
Research center : WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Health services
This research will use cancer registry data from 10 states to examine the degree to which rural residents diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer access the full range of surveillance, surgical, and radiation treatment options. Study findings will inform cancer centers, advocacy groups, rural program planners, and policymakers about services and programs needed to ensure that rural prostate cancer patients can choose from among all treatment options.

Intensity of Service Provision for Medicare Beneficiaries Utilizing Home Health Services
Research center : South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Home health, Medicare
This study will assess whether Medicare beneficiaries in rural areas receive a lower intensity of home health (HH) services compared to their urban counterparts. Specifically, the study will examine (1) the distribution of levels of HH services for four conditions: joint (hip and knee) replacement, stroke, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and diabetes; (2) the distribution of type of provider for each condition across the levels of rurality; and (3) the median charge and payment per beneficiary for these services across the levels of rurality.

Rural HIV: Estimated Prevalence of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Rural America
Research center : South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Topics: AIDS and HIV, Chronic diseases and conditions
This study will describe the prevalence of HIV/AIDS by county, or when county-level data are not available, by sub-state region or state, together with information on the availability of health services, including Ryan White Clinics. A sub-study will develop models identifying rural counties at highest risk for increases in the population of PLWHA.

Use of Recommended Radiation Therapy in the Rural U.S.
Research center : WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Health services
This study will use cancer registry data from 10 U.S. states to examine which rural cancer patients are receiving recommended radiation therapy, and what factors influence receipt of recommended treatment. Identifying gaps in radiation therapy will inform cancer centers, rural program planners, and policy makers in rural cancer service locations and cancer support program development.

Topics Centers Researchers Other Resources Search		Chronic diseases and conditions Current Projects Cancer Hospitalizations in Rural-Urban Areas in Relation to Carcinogenic Discharges from Toxics Release Inventory Facilities Research center : West Virginia Rural Health Research Center Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP) Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Environmental & agricultural health, Hospitals and clinics, Public health The purpose of the research is to understand whether discharges of carcinogens from Toxics Release Inventory facilities are related to higher cancer hospitalization rates in rural and urban settings. Evidence for this association will have potential implications for improvements to environmental policy or policies for improved cancer detection and treatment in rural settings. Dialysis Availability in Rural America Research center : South Carolina Rural Health Research Center Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP) Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Medicare Working from Medicare Dialysis Compare files and the Standard Analysis File of the US Renal Data System, we will evaluate the current availability of dialysis services across rural America. We will examine general availability of services, service to population ratios, and patient outcome measures across levels of rurality. Do Rural Patients with Early Stage Prostate Cancer Gain Access to All Treatment Choices? Research center : WWAMI Rural Health Research Center Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP) Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Health services This research will use cancer registry data from 10 states to examine the degree to which rural residents diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer access the full range of surveillance, surgical, and radiation treatment options. Study findings will inform cancer centers, advocacy groups, rural program planners, and policymakers about services and programs needed to ensure that rural prostate cancer patients can choose from among all treatment options. Intensity of Service Provision for Medicare Beneficiaries Utilizing Home Health Services Research center : South Carolina Rural Health Research Center Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP) Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Home health, Medicare This study will assess whether Medicare beneficiaries in rural areas receive a lower intensity of home health (HH) services compared to their urban counterparts. Specifically, the study will examine (1) the distribution of levels of HH services for four conditions: joint (hip and knee) replacement, stroke, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and diabetes; (2) the distribution of type of provider for each condition across the levels of rurality; and (3) the median charge and payment per beneficiary for these services across the levels of rurality. Rural HIV: Estimated Prevalence of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Rural America Research center : South Carolina Rural Health Research Center Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP) Topics: AIDS and HIV, Chronic diseases and conditions This study will describe the prevalence of HIV/AIDS by county, or when county-level data are not available, by sub-state region or state, together with information on the availability of health services, including Ryan White Clinics. A sub-study will develop models identifying rural counties at highest risk for increases in the population of PLWHA. Use of Recommended Radiation Therapy in the Rural U.S. Research center : WWAMI Rural Health Research Center Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP) Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Health services This study will use cancer registry data from 10 U.S. states to examine which rural cancer patients are receiving recommended radiation therapy, and what factors influence receipt of recommended treatment. Identifying gaps in radiation therapy will inform cancer centers, rural program planners, and policy makers in rural cancer service locations and cancer support program development.