Emma Boswell, MPH

Phone: 803.576.6036
Email: emmakb@email.sc.edu

Health Services Policy & Management
University of South Carolina
220 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 204
Columbia, SC 29210

Publications - (4)

Rural vs. Urban Patterns of Dental Care Services and Outcomes Among Medicaid-Enrolled Children in Early Childhood
Policy Brief
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 06/2026
Using national Medicaid dental claims, researchers examined rural-urban differences in preventive services, restorative services, and caries diagnosis.
Identification and Characteristics of Under-Resourced and High-Need Rural Counties
Policy Brief
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 04/2026
This brief provides a metric describing how publicly available county-level data on health care workforce, chronic disease prevalence, and the socioeconomic environment of rural communities can assist policymakers in identifying the highest need counties for targeted policy initiatives and public health intervention.

Examining the Burden of Chronic Disease and Low SES to Identify High-Need Rural Counties
Journal Article
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 09/2025
This study identifies rural counties with high chronic disease burden and low socioeconomic status; describes the geographic and demographic patterns of these high-need counties; and examines whether counties with greater need also experience reduced geographic access to critical health care services.
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.