Health disparities

Completed Projects

Breast, Cervical, Colorectal, and Prostate Cancer Screening in Rural America: Does Proximity to a Metropolitan Area Matter?
Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Topics: Health disparities, Health promotion and disease prevention, Minority health
The study compared cancer screening rates among various levels of rural versus urban Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System respondents and among white respondents versus those from racial/ethnic minority groups.

Burden of Asthma Among Rural Residents: A National Study
Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Health disparities, Minority health, Rural statistics and demographics
This study uses data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to examine the prevalence of and trends in asthma—among rural residents by type of geographic location and by key risk factors.

Changes in U.S. Rural Perinatal and Infant Health Care During the Last Decade
Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Topics: Children, Health disparities, Maternal and child health
This study examined changes in rates of adverse birth outcomes and prenatal care among rural Americans of different racial and ethnic groups during two time periods. The study used national data from the Linked Birth Death Data Sets to assess differences in low birth weight, neonatal death, post neonatal mortality and inadequate prenatal care.

Chartbook: Oral Health and Unmet Needs for Dental Care Among Children
Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Topics: Children, Dental health, Health disparities, Rural statistics and demographics
This study will characterize oral health status, dental care utilization, and unmet dental care needs among U.S. children by urban/rural residence. It will provide a descriptive analysis, using cross-sectional data from the 2003 National Survey of Children’s Health.

Chartbook: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Health of Rural Populations
Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Topics: Health disparities, Minority health, Rural statistics and demographics
This study will provide a cross-sectional, descriptive study that uses large, nationally representative data sets to illustrate health and health care among rural populations. The data sets to be used include the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, the 2005 National Health Interview Survey, and the Area Resource File.

Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder across Rural Populations
Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Topics: Health disparities, Mental health, Minority health

Diabetes and Hypertension in Rural Hispanics
Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Cultural competency, Health disparities, Hispanics, Minority health
The project will examine the similarities and differences between rural and urban Hispanics and Caucasian adults diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

Diabetes Burden and the Lack of Preventive Care in the Rural United States
Research center: ORHP-funded Individual Grantees
Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Health disparities, Public health
The project is designed to determine if there are disparities in diabetes care provided to persons with diabetes residing in rural areas as compared to those in urban areas. Additionally, the project will examine diabetes related health care resource utilization with implications for improving care and reducing the economic burden.

Disability Burdens among Rural and Urban Older Americans
Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Topics: Aging, Disabilities, Health disparities, Long term care, Rural statistics and demographics
This project will use the 1994-2000 Second Longitudinal Study of Aging to develop detailed estimates of healthy, disabled, and total life expectancy among rural and urban populations. We will develop and compare the estimates between women and men, by race/ethnicity, and across differing levels of education.

Mode of Travel and Actual Distance Traveled for Medical or Dental Care by Rural Residents
Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Topics: Dental health, Health disparities, Health services, Minority health
This project examined the influence of race and rural isolation on distance traveled to receive medical or dental care, and how the potential interaction of these factors might exacerbate disparities in access to care.

National Study of Substance Abuse Prevalence and Treatment Services in Rural Areas
Research center: Maine Rural Health Research Center
Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Topics: Health disparities, Health services, Rural statistics and demographics, Substance abuse
This project will research the prevalence of the abuse of legal and illegal substances across rural populations and geographic areas, including the extent to which rural individuals are receiving treatment for their substance abuse and barriers to the receipt of treatment.

National Trends in the Perinatal and Infant Health Care of Rural and Urban American Indians (AIs) and Alaska Natives (ANs)
Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Topics: American Indians and Alaska Natives, Children, Health disparities, Maternal and child health, Minority health
This project examined and compared trends in prenatal care and mortality rates of rural and urban AI/AN and non-AI/AN populations in order to determine the level of disparity between these populations and their temporal changes.

Rural Minority Health Data Warehouse
Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Topics: Health disparities, Minority health, Rural statistics and demographics

Rural Minority Health: A Comprehensive Assessment
Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Topics: African Americans, Health disparities, Minority health, Rural statistics and demographics
This study will profile demographics of rural African Americans by region of the U.S.; describe clinical problems prevalent in rural African American populations; explore available health care facilities and practitioners in rural areas; investigate outpatient treatment provided to rural African American populations by type of practitioner; explore expenditures for health care among rural African Americans by region of the U.S.; and determine barriers to care such as insurance, provider availability, and health beliefs and behaviors.

Rural Minority Health: A Comprehensive Assessment of Health Status, Health Care Utilization and Barriers to Care among Rural Minorities
Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Topics: Health disparities, Minority health, Rural statistics and demographics

Rural-Urban Differences In The Use, Type, And Quality Of Depression Treatment
Research center: WICHE Center for Rural Mental Health Research
Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Topics: Aging, Health disparities, Mental health, Minority health
As access to evidence-based treatment for affective disorders (major depressive disorder, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder) improves in urban areas, it is critical to monitor rural-urban differences in the use and quality of treatment over time to identify and address rural disparities, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and ethnic minorities.

Unhealthy Lifestyle Behaviors Among Minority Group Members: A National Rural and Urban Study
Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Topics: Health disparities, Health promotion and disease prevention, Minority health