Rural Health Research Gateway

Health promotion and disease prevention

Publications

Alphabetical list. You can also view by publication date.

  • Behavioral Risk Factors Among Rural African Americans (Fact Sheet)
    Date: 2003
    Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: African Americans, Health promotion and disease prevention, Substance abuse
    Discusses seat belt use, tobacco use, and alcohol use among rural African Americans.
  • Behavioral Risk Factors Among Rural Hispanics (Fact Sheet)
    Date: 2003
    Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health promotion and disease prevention, Hispanics, Substance abuse
    Discusses seat belt use, tobacco use, and alcohol use among rural Hispanics.
  • Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening: Is it Reaching Rural and Rural Minority Women?
    Date: 04 / 2003
    Research center: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health promotion and disease prevention, Hispanics, Women
    Examines whether the Texas Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) is reaching rural women in general and rural minority women in particular. Findings indicate that Hispanic women, both in rural and non-rural, are over-represented among BCCCP clients as compared to race/ethnicity specific cancer incidence and mortality. In contrast, within race/ethnicity groups, Anglo women represent a higher proportion of the rural women being reached by the program. Findings also indicate that a severe shortage of local providers to contract with the program in rural Texas has been and will continue to be a major limitation. In addition, contracting requirements can be a burden and an obstacle to potential providers. Concludes that there is a need in Texas to target specific rural areas based on the incidence and mortality experience of the population. To accomplish this, the contracting process needs to be made more flexible to enable small providers, reimbursement rates may need to be raised, and administrative burdens may need to be lessened.
  • Delivering the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations in a Rural Health Plan
    Date: 02 / 2007
    Author(s): Alycia Infante, Michael Meit
    Research center: Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
    Topics: Health promotion and disease prevention, Health services
    Report Number: Research Brief, W Series No. 8
    Explores the challenges that one health plan faces in delivering the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations to its rural patient population.
  • Development of a Methodology for Assessing the Effect of a Lay Home Visitation Program for Rural High-Risk Women and Infants
    Date: 02 / 2004
    Author(s): Elizabeth A. Erkel, Charity G. Moore, Yvonne Michel
    Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health promotion and disease prevention, Maternal and child health, Women
    This pilot study successfully demonstrated that a retrospective, population-based, comparative design is a feasible method for evaluating the effectiveness of a community health worker program for women at risk for poor pregnancy and birth outcomes.
  • Evaluation of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations for Clinical Preventive Services
    Date: 02 / 2007
    Author(s): Alycia Infante, Michael Meit, Thomas Briggs, Caitlin Oppenheimer, Jennifer Benz
    Research center: Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
    Topics: Health promotion and disease prevention, Health services
    Report Number: Final Report
    Reports findings addressing the adoption, integration, delivery, and dissemination of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations for clinical preventive services in different types of health plans.
  • Financing Rural Public Health Activities in Prevention and Health Promotion (Final Report)
    Date: 06 / 2008
    Author(s): Michael Meit, Lorraine Ettaro, Benjamin Hamlin, Bhumika Piya
    Research center: Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
    Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Health care financing, Health promotion and disease prevention, Public health
    Final Report of a study to determine whether the flow of federal resources, from federal agencies, through states, and to communities, is influenced by state and local level public health infrastructure.
  • Heavy And Binge Drinking In Rural America: A Comparison Of Rural And Urban Counties From 1995/1997 Through 1999/2001
    Date: 02 / 2005
    Author(s): J. Elizabeth Jackson, Mark P. Doescher, L. Gary Hart
    Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health promotion and disease prevention, Substance abuse
    Report Number: Working Paper No. 95
    Assesses the prevalence of, and recent trends in, alcohol use among adults 18 years and older in rural areas of the United States. It uses a random digit telephone survey method to gather information on alcohol use among adults in 49 states and the District of Columbia that participated in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The paper finds that heavy drinking was highest and increasing in urban areas, but that binge drinking was greater in rural areas. It recommends tailoring interventions specifically to meet the needs of rural residents. Report available upon request by contacting rhrc@fammed.washington.edu.
  • Influence of Rural Residence on the Use of Preventative Health Care Services
    Date: 11 / 2000
    Author(s): Michelle M. Casey, Kathleen Thiede Call, Jill Klingner
    Research center: Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health promotion and disease prevention, Rural statistics and demographics
    Report Number: Working Paper No. 34
    Study of the utilization of specific preventive health care services by rural women and men, and to assess the impact of rural residence, the availability of health care providers and technology, demographic factors, and health insurance status on the likelihood of obtaining the following preventive health care services: blood pressure screening, cholesterol screening, colon cancer screening, Pap smears, mammograms, flu shots, and pneumonia vaccinations.
  • National Study of Obesity Prevalence and Trends by Type of Rural County
    Date: 2005
    Author(s): J. Elizabeth Jackson, Mark P. Doescher, Anthony F. Jerant, L. Gary Hart
    Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health promotion and disease prevention, Obesity
    Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 21(2), 140-148
    To estimate the prevalence of and recent trends in obesity among US adults residing in rural locations, the authors analyzed data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System for 1994-1996 and 2000-2001and found that in 2000-2001 the prevalence of obesity was 23.0% for rural adults and 20.5% for their urban counterparts, representing increases of 4.8% and 5.5%, respectively, since 1994-1996. The highest obesity prevalence occurred in rural counties in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas; obesity prevalence increased for rural residents in all states but Florida over the study period. African Americans had the highest obesity prevalence of any group, up to 31.4% in rural counties adjacent to urban counties.
  • Obesity Prevalence In Rural Counties: A National Study
    Date: 01 / 2004
    Author(s): J. Elizabeth Jackson, Mark P. Doescher, Anthony F. Jerant, L. Gary Hart
    Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health promotion and disease prevention, Obesity, Rural statistics and demographics
    Report Number: Working Paper No. 87
    Using a random-digit telephone survey of adults aged 18 and older residing in states participating in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System in 1994-96 and 2000-2001, researchers found that the prevalence of obesity was 23 percent for rural adults and 20.5 percent for urban adults. This finding represents increases of 4.8 percent and 5.5 percent, respectively. The highest obesity prevalence occurred in rural counties of Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana. Only Rhode Island and Colorado had rural counties that met the Healthy People 2010 goal of a maximum of 15 percent obese for adults. Report available on request.
  • Prevalence And Trends In Smoking: A National Rural Study
    Date: 12 / 2003
    Author(s): Mark P. Doescher, J. Elizabeth Jackson, Anthony F. Jerant, L. Gary Hart
    Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health promotion and disease prevention, Substance abuse
    Report Number: Working Paper No. 85
    Using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the research showed that the prevalence of smoking between 1994-1996 and 2000-2001 did not change substantially for the United States as a whole. The prevalence of smoking for rural residents decreased by more than 2 percent in six states (CA, CT, MD, NC, TN, UT). However, it increased by 2 percent or more in ten states. Report available on request.
  • Prevalence and Trends in Smoking: A National Rural Study
    Date: 2006
    Author(s): Mark P. Doescher, J. Elizabeth Jackson, Anthony Jerant, L. Gary Hart
    Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health promotion and disease prevention, Minority health, Substance abuse
    Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 22(2), 112-118
    Reports the results of a study to estimate the prevalence of and recent trends in smoking among adults by type of rural location and by state.
  • Prevalence of Health Related Behavioral Risk Factors Among Non-Metro Minority Adults
    Date: 08 / 2003
    Author(s): P. Daniel Patterson, Charity G. Moore, Janice C. Probst, Michael E. Samuels
    Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health promotion and disease prevention, Minority health, Substance abuse
    Data on tobacco use, seat belt use, and alcohol consumption among rural minority adults. Includes recommendations and detailed data tables.
  • 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.
  • Rural Healthy People 2010: A Companion Document to Healthy People 2010. Volume 1
    Date: 2003
    Author(s): Larry D. Gamm, Linnae L. Hutchison, Betty J. Dabney, Alicia M. Dorsey, eds.
    Research center: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health promotion and disease prevention, Healthy People 2010 (Rural), Public health
    Brief overviews of the top rural health concerns and objectives associated with Healthy People 2010 focus areas, including, Access to Quality Health Services (Insurance, Primary Care, and EMS); Cancer; Diabetes; Heart Disease and Stroke; Maternal, Infant, and Child Health; Mental Health and Mental Disorders; Nutrition and Overweight Concerns; Oral Health; Substance Abuse; and Tobacco Use. Also included are references to key literature about these concerns, and descriptions of models for practice that rural communities can draw upon to achieve key Healthy People 2010 objectives.
  • Rural Healthy People 2010: A Companion Document to Healthy People 2010. Volume 2
    Date: 2003
    Author(s): Larry D. Gamm, Linnae L. Hutchison, Betty J. Dabney, Alicia M. Dorsey, eds.
    Research center: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health promotion and disease prevention, Healthy People 2010 (Rural), Public health
    Detailed literature reviews and associated references for the top rural health concerns addressed in Vol. 1 of Rural Healthy People 2010.
  • Rural Healthy People 2010: A Companion Document to Healthy People 2010. Volume 3
    Date: 04 / 2004
    Author(s): Larry D. Gamm, Linnae L. Hutchison, eds.
    Research center: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health promotion and disease prevention, Health services, Healthy People 2010 (Rural), Long term care, Physical abuse and domestic violence, Public health
    Report Number: Updated February 2005
    Includes the overview of research and accompanying models for practice on 5 new focus areas in Rural Healthy People 2010, along with the more detailed literature reviews for each. The focus areas are: Access to Quality Health Services in Rural Areas/Access to Long-term Care; Educational and Community-based Programs in Rural Areas; Immunizations and Infectious Diseases in Rural Areas; Injury and Violence Prevention in Rural Areas; and Rural Public Health Infrastructure.
  • Rural Minority Children's Access to and Timeliness of Immunizations (Fact Sheet)
    Date: 2004
    Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Children, Health promotion and disease prevention
    Examined whether rural children aged 3-71 months are keeping up with urban children in the receipt of needed vaccinations.
  • Rural Minority Children's Access To And Timeliness Of Immunizations: 1993-2001
    Date: 11 / 2003
    Author(s): Arch G. Mainous III, Terrence E. Steyer, Mark E. Geesey
    Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Children, Health promotion and disease prevention, Minority health
    The purpose of this study is to assess the quality of pediatric health care provided to rural minorities using timeliness of immunization receipt as a marker for quality. Findings include: 1) Children living in rural areas are less likely to receive newly recommended vaccines within the first two years after introduction of the recommendation.; 2) There are no significant differences in the percentages of children up-to-date with their immunizations between Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics living in urban and rural areas.; 3) By 2001 lack of health insurance was the strongest predictor for children not receiving their immunizations in a timely manner.; 4) When using national surveys, there is significant year-to-year variation in the percentage of children who are up-to-date with their immunizations.
  • Rural Public Health Financing: The Relationship Between Infrastructure and Local Program Funding (Policy Brief)
    Date: 06 / 2008
    Author(s): Michael Meit, Lorraine Ettaro, Benjamin Hamlin, Bhumika Piya
    Research center: Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
    Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Health care financing, Health promotion and disease prevention, Public health
    Report Number: W Series No. 14
    The purpose of this study was to describe how federal funds for selected chronic disease prevention and health promotion activities are distributed to local health departments and non-governmental organizations at the local level and to identify infrastructure-related barriers that rural agencies may face in securing and using funds for such purposes. A central hypothesis was that the availability of federal funding for chronic disease prevention and health promotion activities may vary based on state and local public health infrastructural differences.
  • Rural Residents Lag in Preventive Services Use; Lag Increases with Service Complexity
    Date: 06 / 2009
    Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
    Topic: Health promotion and disease prevention
    Report Number: Policy Brief No.1
    This research brief describes the receipt of preventive services among rural adults and explores the factors that are related to disparities in utilization.
  • Trends in Cervical and Breast Cancer Screening Practices Among Women in Rural and Urban Areas of the United States (Final Report)
    Date: 08 / 2008
    Author(s): Mark P. Doescher, J. Elizabeth Jackson
    Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health promotion and disease prevention, Women
    Report Number: 121
    Reports on trends in breast cancer screening practices. Participation in mammography improved nationally, but women living in rural locations remained less likely to receive this test than those living in urban settings.
  • Trends in Cervical and Breast Cancer Screening Practices Among Women in Rural and Urban Areas of the United States (Policy Brief)
    Date: 08 / 2008
    Author(s): Mark P. Doescher, J. Elizabeth Jackson
    Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health promotion and disease prevention, Women
    Documents the receipt of timely breast and cervical cancer screening using a rural-urban classification system and nationally representative data.
  • Trends in Professional Advice to Lose Weight Among Obese Adults, 1994-2000
    Date: 2005
    Author(s): J. Elizabeth Jackson, Mark P. Doescher, Barry G. Saver, L. Gary Hart
    Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health promotion and disease prevention, Obesity
    Citation: Journal of General Internal Medicine, 20(9), 814-8
    The authors studied whether rising obesity prevalence in the U.S. was accompanied by an increasing trend in professional advice to lose weight among obese adults, and found that disparities in professional advice to lose weight associated with income and educational attainment increased from 1994 to 2000. They concluded that there is a need for mechanisms that allow health care professionals to devote sufficient attention to weight control and to link with evidence-based weight loss interventions, especially those that target groups most at risk for obesity
  • Use of Preventive Services Among Hispanic Sub-Groups: Does One Size Fit All?
    Date: 07 / 2007
    Author(s): Myriam E. Torres, Jessica D. Bellinger, Janice C. Probst, Nusrat Harun, and Andrew O. Johnson
    Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Cultural competency, Health promotion and disease prevention, Hispanics, Minority health
    The Hispanic population, the largest and fastest growing minority group in the nation, is generally under-served with regard to health services. This executive summary includes results from the exploration of the use of preventive health services among Mexicans, Puerto-Ricans, Cubans, and “other” Latinos (persons from all other Spanish-speaking countries such as Spain, Central and South America) and examined how the use of preventive services was influenced by nation of origin and by rural versus urban residence.
  • Use of Preventive Services Among Hispanic Sub-Groups: Does One Size Fit All? (Fact Sheet)
    Date: 2007
    Author(s): Myriam E. Torres, Jessica D. Bellinger, Janice C. Probst, Nusrat Harun, and Andrew O. Johnson
    Research center: South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Cultural competency, Health promotion and disease prevention, Hispanics, Minority health
    This Fact Sheet provides key facts on preventive health services provided to rural Hispanics.

This web site includes content provided by and adapted from the Maine Rural Health Research Center, University of Southern Maine under a Cooperative Agreement with the University of North Dakota.