Jane Bolin, PhD, JD, RN

Deputy Director, Southwest Rural Health Research Center

Phone: 979.436.9468
Fax: 979.436.9598
Email: janebolin@tamu.edu

Healthy Policy & Management Department
Texas A&M University
School of Public Health
TAMU 1266
College Station, TX 77843-1266

Completed Projects - (5)
Publications - (16)

Completed Projects - (5)

Chronic Disease Management in Rural Areas: Examination of Medicare and Medicaid Managed Care Programs
The goal of this project was to advance knowledge of the use of disease management (DM) to address chronic conditions among rural populations, analyzing information from participating health plans and providers about special challenges and effective strategies in DM initiatives targeting rural populations.
Research center: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Medicaid and CHIP, Medicare
How Well are We Doing Meeting Healthy People 2020 Mortality Objectives at Midterm? Rural v. Urban Differences
The purpose of this project was to conduct a midterm examination of urban versus rural disparities in meeting Healthy People 2020 mortality objectives for the top 10 leading causes of death in the U.S. utilizing existing secondary databases.
Research center: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Health disparities and health equity
Rural/Urban Differences in Chronic Diseases and Delay of Needed Care
This project examined rural versus urban differences in the prevalence, incidence, stage, and severity of several chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, and selected cancers. There was a focus on delayed access to needed care and whether rural residents present later and with more advanced disease states.
Research center: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Cancer, Chronic diseases and conditions, Health disparities and health equity
The Burden of Diabetes in Rural America
The purpose of this project was to determine rural versus urban differences in type 2 diabetes prevalence, morbidity and mortality in the U.S. Diabetes complications, disparities and associated demographics were reported. A comparison of Mexican-American border versus non-border states was also included.
Research center: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Diabetes, Health disparities and health equity, Minority health
Use and Effect on Patients of Disease Management in Rural Areas
Research center: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Topic: Health services

Publications - (16)

2021

Rural-Urban Variations in Travel Burdens for Care: Findings from the 2017 National Household Travel Survey
Policy Brief
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 07/2021
This project focuses on geographic access to medical and dental care, knowing that travel distances can keep people from getting necessary care. The study examines how rural residents' travel behaviors vary by socio-demographic and geographic characteristics and evaluates factors associated with a higher travel burden for medical and dental care.
The Co-occurrence of HIV and Opioid Mortality in Rural and Urban America from 1999-2018
Policy Brief
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 06/2021
This project evaluates trends in mortality from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and opioid use in rural and urban areas of the U.S. It explores whether HIV and opioid deaths appear to be related over time in rural and urban areas.

2020

Healthy People 2020 Progress for Leading Causes of Death in Rural and Urban America: A Chartbook
Chartbook
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 03/2020
The purpose of this project is to conduct a midterm examination of urban versus rural disparities in meeting Healthy People 2020 mortality objectives for the top 10 leading causes of death in the U.S.

2019

Congestive Heart Failure-Related Hospital Deaths Across the Urban-Rural Continuum in the United States
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 12/2019
This study examines congestive heart failure (CHF)-related, in-hospital mortality across six levels of rurality and four census regions. Results indicated CHF-related hospital admissions in small metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore areas, compared to large central metropolitan areas, were more likely to result in death.
Healthy People 2020: Rural Areas Lag in Achieving Targets for Major Causes of Death
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 12/2019
For the period 2007-2017 rural death rates were higher than urban rates for the seven major causes of death analyzed, and disparities widened for five of the seven. In 2017 urban areas had met national targets for three of the seven causes, while rural areas had met none of the targets.
Prevalence and Mortality of Heart Disease and Related Conditions: Disparities Affecting the South, Rural Areas, and American Indian and Alaska Natives
Policy Brief
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 11/2019
This policy brief identifies trends in the prevalence of stroke, heart disease, and heart attack while also assessing trends in mortality for heart disease and related conditions across the nation. The study examined whether disease-related mortality and prevalence varied across place and time.
The Changing Landscape of Diabetes Mortality in the United States Across Region and Rurality, 1999-2016
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 02/2019
This brief report examines place-based differences in diabetes mortality to understand whether disparities in diabetes mortality have changed across U.S. Census regions and levels of rurality over time. Reductions in diabetes mortality are lagging in rural areas, and the rural South in particular, relative to other areas of the country.
Diabetes-Related Hospital Mortality in the U.S.: A Pooled Cross-Sectional Study of the National Inpatient Sample
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 02/2019
This study examined place-based and individual-level variations in diabetes-related hospital deaths using the 2009-2015 National Inpatient Sample. Results show that place-based disparities exist. Targeted focus should be placed on the control of diabetic complications in the South, West, and Midwest census regions and among rural residents.

2018

Cancer Mortality in Rural America: 1999-2016
Policy Brief
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 11/2018
This policy brief details the differences in mortality from cancer at various levels of rurality in America. The primary aim of this study was to understand the scope of cancer mortality in urban and rural areas of the U.S. Common cancer types—breast, cervical, lung, prostate, and colon—were analyzed over an 18-year period from 1999-2016.
Individual- and County-Level Predictors of Cervical Cancer Screening: A Multi-Level Analysis
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 05/2018
Despite gains in cervical cancer screening, persistent socio-economic, geographical, racial, and ethnic disparities remain. The objective of this study was to examine the combined effect of individual- and county-level characteristics on the use of cervical cancer screening tests such as Papanicolaou (Pap) tests in Texas.
Diabetes-Related Hospital Mortality in Rural America: A Significant Cause for Concern
Policy Brief
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 03/2018
This brief is the third in a series prepared by the Southwest Rural Health Research Center on the topic of diabetes. The aim of this study was to examine trends and rates of diabetes-related deaths for persons hospitalized in the U.S., with emphasis on differences across the urban-rural continuum and across census regions.

2017

Diabetes and Forgone Medical Care due to Cost in the U.S. (2011-2015): Individual-level and Place-based Disparities
Policy Brief
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 08/2017
This brief is the first in a series prepared by the Southwest Rural Health Research Center on the topic of diabetes. The two aims of this study were to identify trends in diabetes rates and forgone medical care among persons with diabetes in the U.S. and to identify geographic determinants and other social determinants of health disparities.
Diabetes Mortality in Rural America: 1999-2015
Policy Brief
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 08/2017
This brief is the second in a series prepared by the Southwest Rural Health Research Center on the topic of diabetes. The primary aim of this study was to understand the scope of diabetes-related mortality in urban and rural America. We analyzed mortality caused by diabetes over a 16-year period and explored the roles played by rurality and race.
Assessing Diabetes and Factors Associated with Foregoing Medical Care Among Persons with Diabetes: Disparities Facing American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, Hispanic, Low Income, and Southern Adults in the U.S. (2011-2015)
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 04/2017
The purpose of this project was to identify individual- and place-based factors associated with diagnosed diabetes and foregone medical care among those diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes prevalence and foregone medical care were found to be higher for those with lower incomes, for several racial/ethnic groups, and in the South versus other regions.

2006

Differences Between Newly Admitted Nursing Home Residents in Rural and Nonrural Areas in a National Sample
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 02/2006
This research investigates whether differences in acuity are a function of differences in resident payer status and occur for both individuals admitted for short stays, with Medicare as payer, and those needing chronic care.

2004

Chronic Disease Management In Rural Areas
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 05/2004
This article describes a study of six chronic disease management programs throughout the United States. It discusses issues related to chronic disease management in rural areas.