Health disparities

Publications

Alphabetical list. You can also view by publication date.

• Access to Care Among Rural Minorities: Children (Appendix - Methods, Data Sources, and Detailed Tables)
  Date: 11 / 2002
  Author(s): Janice C. Probst, Charity Moore, Karin Willert Roof, Elizabeth G. Baxley, Michael E. Samuels
  Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: Children, Health disparities, Minority health
  Appendix of report on rural minority children and the factors affecting their health insurance coverage and health services use.
• Access to Care Among Rural Minorities: Older Adults
  Date: 10 / 2002
  Author(s): Janice C. Probst, Michael E. Samuels, Charity G. Moore, Joette Gdovin
  Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: Aging, Health disparities, Minority health, Poverty
  Profiles health status of, and use of physicians by, non-metro older adults. Programmatic recommendations based on the findings: maintain programs that encourage providers to practice in non-metro areas, pay particular attention to the problems of the near-poor African-American elderly, and foster coalitions linking providers with voluntary community-based organizations to increase support services to elderly non-metro populations.
• Access to Care Among Rural Minorities: Older Adults (Appendix - Methods, Data, and Detailed Tables)
  Date: 10 / 2002
  Author(s): Janice C. Probst, Michael E. Samuels, Charity G. Moore, Joette Gdovin
  Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: Aging, Health disparities, Minority health, Poverty
  Appendix of report on health status and health services use among poor and minority older adults in non-metro areas.
• Chartbook: Dental Health and Access to Care among Rural Children: A National and State Portrait (Full Report)
  Date: 03 / 2008
  Author(s): Amy Brock Martin, Eric Wang, Janice Probst, Nathan Hale, and Andrew Johnson
  Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: Children, Dental health, Health disparities, Rural statistics and demographics
  Although children's dental health in the U.S. has improved over recent decades, a subset of children continues to suffer dental disease severe enough to constitute a public health problem. This Chartbook examines dental health status, use of preventive services, and dental insurance among rural and urban children. The Chartbook provides information specific to rural children, and in particular rural minority children, not available in similar detail from other sources. This information can be used at the state level for program planning and assessment.
• Depression in Rural Populations: Prevalence, Effects on Life Quality, And Treatment-Seeking Behavior
  Date: 05 / 2005
  Author(s): Janice C. Probst, Sarah Laditka, Charity G. Moore, Nusrat Harun, M. Paige Powell
  Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: Health disparities, Mental health
  Using the National Health Interview Survey and the NHIS-administered depression scale from the Comprehensive International Diagnostic Interview to explore depression among rural versus urban residents, the authors found that the prevalence of major depression was significantly higher among rural (6.11%) than among urban (5.16%) populations. However, nearly all individuals scoring positive for depression reported that their symptoms interfered with their life or activities (46.67% rural, 44.25% urban). Persons without any health insurance were less likely to have communicated with a physician than were the privately or publicly insured. Additionally, the likelihood that an individual with depression would have communicated with a practitioner rose as the person's self reported health declined.
• Depression in Rural Populations: Prevalence, Effects on Life Quality, and Treatment-Seeking Behavior (Fact Sheet)
  Date: 2005
  Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: Health disparities, Mental health
  To explore the prevalence of selected mental health diagnoses across rural populations, including rural minority residents, they studied information obtained by the 1999 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), a nationally representative survey of more than 30,000 U.S. adults.
• Development of a Research Agenda on the Issues of Access to Care and Reduction of Health Status Disparities of Rural African Americans in South Carolina
  Date: 01 / 2001
  Author(s): Michael E. Samuels, Janice C. Probst, Karen Willert, Walter (Pete) Bailey, Elizabeth Corley
  Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: African Americans, Health disparities
  Explores disparities in health among rural African Americans and rural white South Carolina residents. Introductory, descriptive study. Key findings include: Mortality, use of hospital and emergency department services, and outpatient visits among Medicaid recipients.
• Diabetes & Hypertension among Rural Hispanics (Fact Sheet)
  Date: 2004
  Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Health disparities, Hispanics
  Fact sheet describing rates of diabetes and hypertension among rural Hispanics.
• Diabetes & Hypertension among Rural Hispanics: Disparities in Diagnostics and Disease Management
  Date: 2004
  Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Health disparities, Hispanics
  Modest disparities in health were found among rural Hispanics when examining diabetes. Undiagnosed hypertension was higher for rural residents, both Hispanic and White, than for urban residents. A large proportion of persons diagnosed with either disease had poor control of their condition, as indicated by elevated glucose levels or high blood pressure.
• Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease in Rural African Americans (Fact Sheet)
  Date: 2003
  Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: African Americans, Chronic diseases and conditions, Health disparities
  Previous research has indicated that persons living in rural areas are more vulnerable to poor health than those living in urban areas. Minorities in particular are more vulnerable to poor health than non-minorities.
• Distribution of Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities Across the Rural – Urban Continuum
  Date: 10 / 2007
  Author(s): Jennifer D. Lenardson, John A. Gale
  Research center: Maine Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: Health disparities, Health services, Rural statistics and demographics, Substance abuse
  Report Number: Working Paper No. 35
  Considering recent growth in substance abuse among rural populations and the documented scarcity of rural health resources, this study examines the distribution of substance abuse treatment services across the continuum of rural and urban counties, identifying the type and intensity of services provided. Using the 2004 National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services linked to the 2003 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes, we found few substance abuse treatment facilities operating outside of urban and rural adjacent areas and limited availability of intensive services across rural areas. This situation is particularly striking for opioid treatment programs, which are nearly absent in rural areas. The narrow range of services available in rural areas may preclude an individualized treatment approach and long-term follow-up recommended by professional organizations and other experts. The greater proportion of rural-based facilities accepting public payers and providing discounted care may reflect higher rates of uninsurance and underinsurance.
• Distribution of Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities Across the Rural – Urban Continuum (Research & Policy Brief No. 35B)
  Date: 02 / 2008
  Author(s): Jennifer D. Lenardson, John A. Gale
  Research center: Maine Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: Health disparities, Health services, Rural statistics and demographics, Substance abuse
  This Research & Policy Brief highlights findings from a recent study examining the distribution of substance abuse treatment facilities in rural and urban counties and identifying the type and intensity of services provided. Key findings include:
  • Access to substance abuse treatment is limited in rural areas by fewer treatment beds.
  • Less populated rural areas contain a small proportion of facilities offering a range of core services and varying levels of outpatient and intensive services.
  • Opiod treatment programs are nearly absent in rural areas.
• Health Disparities: A Rural-Urban Chartbook (Fact Sheet)
  Date: 12 / 2008
  Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
  Topic: Health disparities
  Rural minorities experience disparities in health and health care delivery. Previous studies have illustrated many of the health disparities experienced by rural residents, such as poorer health status, higher obesity prevalence, more with activity limitations, and higher mortality rates. The Chartbook seeks to expand the work of the National Healthcare Disparities Reports, issued annually by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. These Reports are limited in their discussion of disparities experienced by rural residents and present little data regarding disparities among rural minority populations. The present Chartbook expands upon prior work by examining potential disparities among rural populations in health, health behaviors, preventive services and diabetes care.
• Health Disparities: A Rural-Urban Chartbook (Full Report)
  Date: 06 / 2008
  Author(s): Kevin J. Bennett, Bankole Olatosi, Janice C. Probst
  Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: Health disparities, Minority health
  Citation: Bennett KJ, Olatosi B, Probst JC, “Health Disparities: A Rural-Urban Chartbook.” Technical report provided to Health Resources and Services Administration/Office of Rural Health Policy. June 2008. Retrieved@http://rhr.sph.sc.edu
  Rural minorities experience disparities in health and health care delivery. Previous studies have illustrated many of the health disparities experienced by rural residents, such as poorer health status, higher obesity prevalence, more with activity limitations, and higher mortality rates. The Chartbook seeks to expand the work of the National Healthcare Disparities Reports, issued annually by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. These Reports are limited in their discussion of disparities experienced by rural residents and present little data regarding disparities among rural minority populations. The present Chartbook expands upon prior work by examining potential disparities among rural populations in health, health behaviors, preventive services and diabetes care.
• Hospitalization for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions: Asthma, Diabetes, and Congestive Heart Failure in South Carolina
  Date: 05 / 2003
  Author(s): Janice C. Probst, Charity Moore, Elizabeth G. Baxley, John L. Lammie
  Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Health disparities
  Hospitalization rates for ambulatory care sensitive conditions, diseases for which primary care in the preceding six months could have reduced or eliminated the need for hospitalization, are a commonly used indicator of disparities in access to care.
• Hospitalization for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions: Congestive Heart Failure, Diabetes and Asthma in South Carolina (Fact Sheet)
  Date: 2003
  Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Health disparities
  Brief overview of findings from a study of hospitalizations in South Carolina for ambulatory care sensitive conditions. A full report is also available.
• Hypertension, Diabetes, Cholesterol, Weight, and Weight Control Activities Among Non Metro Minority Adults
  Date: 12 / 2002
  Author(s): P. Daniel Patterson, Charity G. Moore, Janice C. Probst, Michael E. Samuels
  Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Health disparities, Minority health, Obesity
  The 1998 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) included a detailed examination of preventive health problems and behaviors. This report uses data from the 1998 NHIS to examine the prevalence of selected problems among rural populations, with an emphasis on rural minorities. ?Rural? was defined, following NHIS guidelines, as living in a non-MSA county.
• Mode of Travel and Actual Distance Traveled For Medical or Dental Care By Rural and Urban Residents
  Date: 05 / 2006
  Author(s): Janice C. Probst, Sarah B. Laditka, Jong-Yi Wang, Andy Johnson
  Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
  Topic: Health disparities
  Discusses the cost and difficulty associated with travel for medical or dental care, which may serve as a barrier for rural populations.
• Mode of Travel and Actual Distance Traveled For Medical or Dental Care By Rural and Urban Residents (Fact Sheet)
  Date: 2007
  Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
  Topic: Health disparities
  Fact sheet addressing the cost and difficulty associated with travel for medical or dental care.
• Poor Birth Outcome in the Rural United States: 1985-1987 to 1995-1997 (Final Report)
  Date: 02 / 2008
  Author(s): Larson EH, Murowchick E, Hart LG
  Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: Children, Health disparities, Maternal and child health
  Report Number: Final Report 119
  Rates of low birthweight, poor outcomes, and inadequate prenatal care among urban and rural areas were evaluated and compared from 1985-1997 using data from the Linked Birth-Death Data Set. The study found that while progress was made in closing rural/urban gaps, rural residence and residence in a persistent poverty county remained independent risk factors for inadequate care and some adverse birth outcomes, especially postneonatal mortality.
• Poor Birth Outcome in the Rural United States: 1985-1987 to 1995-1997 (Project Summary)
  Date: 02 / 2008
  Author(s): Larson EH, Murowchick E, Hart LG
  Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: Children, Health disparities, Maternal and child health
  Report Number: Final Report 119
  Rates of low birthweight, poor outcomes, and inadequate prenatal care among urban and rural areas were evaluated and compared from 1985-1997 using data from the Linked Birth-Death Data Set. The study found that while progress was made in closing rural/urban gaps, rural residence and residence in a persistent poverty county remained independent risk factors for inadequate care and some adverse birth outcomes, especially postneonatal mortality.
• Race and Place: Urban-Rural Differences in Health for Racial and Ethnic Minorities
  Date: 03 / 2000
  Author(s): Rebecca T. Slifkin, Laurie J. Goldsmith, Thomas C. Ricketts,
  Research center: North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
  Topics: AIDS and HIV, Chronic diseases and conditions, Health disparities, Health promotion and disease prevention, Minority health
  This findings brief investigates urban-rural disparities for racial and ethnic minorities in six health areas: infant mortality, cancer screening and management, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, HIV infection, and child and adult immunizations.
• Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Potentially Avoidable Delivery Complications Among Pregnant Medicaid Beneficiaries in South Carolina
  Date: 2006
  Author(s): Sarah Laditka, James Laditka, Janice C. Probst
  Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: African Americans, Health disparities, Maternal and child health, Medicaid and S-CHIP, Minority health, Women
  Citation: Maternal and Child Health Journal, 10(4), 339-50
  Examined access to health care during pregnancy for mothers insured by Medicaid as well as the risks of potentially avoidable maternity complications among rural and urban hospital deliveries for groups of mothers defined by race or ethnicity. Within groups defined by race or ethnicity, unadjusted rates for potentially avoidable maternity complications did not differ significantly by hospital location. Holding other factors constant, potentially avoidable maternity complications were less common in rural hospitals than in urban hospitals. In rural hospitals, African Americans had notably higher risk for potentially avoidable maternity complications than did non-Hispanic whites. The authors conclude that providers and policymakers should work to reduce the risks of potentially avoidable maternity complications for African American women in rural areas who are insured by Medicaid.