Alexis Swendener, PhD

University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center

Phone: 612.626.8401
Email: swend041@umn.edu

Division of Health Policy and Management
University of Minnesota
2221 University Ave. SE #350
Minneapolis, MN 55414

Current Projects - (1)
Publications - (6)

Current Projects - (1)

Rural-Urban Differences in Access to and Quality of Care for People With Disabilities
The purpose of this project is to identify rural-urban differences in access to and quality of health care services for people with disabilities. Results from this project will help inform policy to improve access to and quality of care for this growing population in rural areas.
Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Aging, Disabilities, Healthcare access, Quality, Social determinants of health

Publications - (6)

2025

Geographic and Demographic Correlates of Living in Manufactured Homes: Implications for Health
Policy Brief
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 07/2025
This brief examines rates of living in manufactured homes by rural and urban location, as well as rates among rural residents by region and socio-demographic characteristics. It also examines differences in crowded housing, housing quality, and housing cost burden by manufactured vs. more permanent housing structures.

2024

Variation in Elder Abuse State Statutes by State Level of Rurality
Policy Brief
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 12/2024
This policy brief examines elements of state-level elder abuse statutes' definitions and reporting requirements to investigate potential differences in these policies by state rurality that could influence one's understanding of elder abuse among rural and urban areas.
Health Care Affordability and Medical Debt: Differences by Rurality, Region, and Socio-Demographic Characteristics
Policy Brief
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 09/2024
This policy brief examines rural/urban differences in rates of health care (un)affordability, as well as among rural residents by key socio-demographic characteristics.
Rural/Urban Differences in Housing Quality and Adequacy: Findings From the American Housing Survey, 2019
Policy Brief
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 05/2024
In this policy brief, researchers identify rural/urban differences in various measures of housing quality using a nationally representative survey.
Rural-Urban Differences in Housing Cost Burden Across the U.S.
Policy Brief
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 03/2024
Housing is closely tied to health and well-being, but affordable housing is out of reach for many households. This policy brief examines the proportion of households who are housing cost burdened by rural-urban location across different U.S. geographic spaces in order to identify how housing affordability varies by location.

2023

Multi-Sector Collaboration to Support Rural Aging
Journal Article
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 08/2023
In this paper, researchers examine the lessons rural areas present for supporting aging, including the role that aging and social services, public health systems, and health care have to play.