Gabriel Benavidez, PhD, MPH

Email: gabriel_benavidez@baylor.edu

Public Health
Baylor University

Current Projects - (2)

Identifying High-Need Counties for Resource Planning
The primary aim of this project is to use data examining health care infrastructure, chronic disease prevalence, and the socioeconomic environment to create a metric for classifying rural counties based on needs and resources.
Research center: University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Diabetes, Healthcare access, Maternal health, Obesity, Oral health, Physicians, Poverty, Public health, Rural statistics and demographics, Social determinants of health, Uninsured and underinsured, Workforce
The Rural Landscape of Diabetes in the United States
Rural-urban differences in diabetes and diabetes management may be attributed to socioeconomic differences and treatment available to rural residents. Using data from 2021-2023 National Health Interview Survey, this study will examine 1) rural-urban differences in diabetes and prediabetes incidence and prevalences, 2) rural-urban differences in the management, treatment, and complications associated with diabetes, and co-occurring risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Research center: University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Diabetes, Healthcare access, Rural statistics and demographics

Changes in Medicare Fee-for-Services Health Care Expenditures in Rural and Urban Communities after Passage of the Affordable Care Act
This project assessed changes in Medicare per-beneficiary spending across rural and urban counties from 2007 to 2020. It examined differences in rural versus urban per-beneficiary spending on hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient, physician, and post-acute care after the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Research center: University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Care management, Chronic diseases and conditions, Health services, Hospitals and clinics, Public health
Examining Rural-Urban Differences in Availability of Hospital Cardiac Testing Services Between 2010-2020
This project will examine whether the availability of hospital-based cardiac testing services has changed over the past ten years in rural and urban counties and identify the characteristics of counties where service availability has changed.
Research center: University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Care management, Chronic diseases and conditions, Health services, Hospitals and clinics, Public 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.

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.

Geographic Disparities in Availability of Hospital-Based Cardiac Services Across the United States
Journal Article
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 12/2024
This project examined geographic disparities in the availability of essential cardiac care in counties across the United States.

Disparities in Meeting USPSTF Breast, Cervical, and Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines Among Women in the United States
Journal Article
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 04/2021
The US Preventive Services Task Force provides recommendations for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening. This manuscript examines the sociodemographic characteristics associated with women meeting these recommendations.