Cassie Odahowski, PhD, MPH

Phone: 803.251.6317
Email: clo@mailbox.sc.edu

Arnold School of Public Health
University of South Carolina

Current Projects - (1)

Examining the Costs Associated With Dental Restorative Services in the Absence of Preventive Services Among Pediatric Medicaid Beneficiaries by Rurality
This project will examine the costs associated with pediatric dental restorative services in the absence of preventive services. This study focuses on children with Medicaid who have historically been less likely to receive preventive dental care with subsequent impacts on pain, infections, and overall development.
Research center: University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Children and adolescents, Health promotion and disease prevention, Medicaid and CHIP, Oral health, Poverty, Public health, Social determinants of health

Rural-Urban Trends in the Burden of Diabetes Among U.S. Adults
Policy Brief
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 03/2026
This brief provides an updated analysis of diabetes incidence, prevalence, and mortality across rural and urban counties. The National Health Interview Survey (2021, 2022, and 2023) provided diabetes incidence and prevalence data. CDC Wonder provided diabetes mortality data.

Access and Quality of Mental Health Services in Rural and Urban America
Policy Brief
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 07/2025
Access to and quality of mental health facilities is a significant concern in the United States. This research identified disparities in mental health access and care quality by residence rurality.

Geographic Variations in Driving Time to U.S. Mental Health Care, Digital Access to Technology, & Household Crowdedness
Journal Article
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 12/2023
This study compared travel time to mental health facilities in rural versus urban areas and potential barriers to digital devices for telemedicine access in those same rural/urban locations. In addition, the research examined private space within the home as it relates to household crowdedness.

Rural-Urban Differences in Educational Attainment Among Registered Nurses: Implications for Achieving an 80% BSN Workforce
Journal Article
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 05/2020
Our primary objective was to provide updated information on rural-urban differences in educational attainment. We also examined rural-urban differences in employment type, salary, and demographics among registered nurses in different practice settings.

Rural-Urban Differences in Financial Burden Among Cancer Survivors: An Analysis of a Nationally Representative Survey
Journal Article
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 12/2019
Rural cancer survivors may disproportionately experience financial problems due to their cancer because of greater travel costs, higher uninsured/underinsured rates, and other factors. Our objective was to examine rural-urban differences in reported financial problems due to cancer using a nationally representative survey.
Financial Hardship Among Rural Cancer Survivors: An Analysis of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey
Journal Article
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 11/2019
This study examined contrasts in financial hardship among 1,419 rural and urban cancer survivors using the 2011 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey supplement the Effects of Cancer and Its Treatment on Finances.

Who Performs Colonoscopy? Workforce Trends Over Space and Time
Journal Article
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 11/2017
Using data from South Carolina from 2001-2010, this study looked at changes in the types of facilities doing colonoscopies as well as the any changes in who is performing them.