Jeffery Talbert, PhD

Deputy Director, Rural and Underserved Health Research Center

Phone: 859.323.7141
Email: jeff.talbert@uky.edu

Institute for Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine
University of Kentucky
Healthy Kentucky Research Building
760 Press Avenue, Suite 360
Lexington, KY 40536

Completed Projects - (3)
Publications - (5)

Completed Projects - (3)

Barriers and Disparities Associated with Pneumococcal Immunization Among Rural Elderly Adults
Our Center conducted analyses of national survey data and unique insurance claims data sets to identify how rurality of residence and key demographic, social, and economic characteristics serve as barriers or facilitators to vaccination against pneumococcal disease, which is relatively common although largely preventable among older Americans.
Research center: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
Topics: Health disparities and health equity, Health promotion and disease prevention
Lung Diseases Among Coal Miners
Coal miners are at increased risk of lung diseases. Using secondary datasets, we will assess the distribution of lung diseases across regions, identify patterns of healthcare utilization among miners relative to HRSA-funded Black Lung Clinics, and compare healthcare utilization patterns, behaviors, and comorbidities among miners and non-miners.
Research center: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Environmental and agricultural health, Health disparities and health equity, Health services
Medicare Beneficiaries' Access to Preventive Services: Diabetes Self-Management Training, Medical Nutrition Therapy, and Health and Behavior Assessment and Intervention
Medicare offers preventive services focused on self-management through several programs: Diabetes Self-Management Training, Medical Nutrition Therapy, and Health and Behavior Assessment and Intervention.
Research center: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
Topics: Diabetes, Health promotion and disease prevention, Medicare, Obesity

Publications - (5)

2020

Rural/Urban Disparities in the Utilization of Health and Behavioral Assessments/Interventions in the Fee-for-Service Medicare Population
Policy Brief
Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
Date: 06/2020
Identifying behaviors that contribute to disease and modifying them can be an important step in treatment. This study investigated geographic disparities and the availability of Health and Behavioral Assessments and Interventions services in rural and urban areas by examining fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries in 2012-2016.
Rural/Urban Disparities in Utilization of Diabetes Self-Management Training to the Fee-for-Service Medicare Population
Policy Brief
Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
Date: 06/2020
Diabetes self-management training (DSMT) is recommended for all newly diagnosed patients with diabetes. However, the utilization rate of DSMT is low, and geographic disparities in availability exist. This study sought to identify the extent of the rural/urban disparity in the provision of DSMT to fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries in 2012-2016.
Rural/Urban Disparities in Utilization of Medical Nutrition Therapy to the Fee-for-Service Medicare Population
Policy Brief
Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
Date: 06/2020
Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) is important in the treatment of many chronic conditions, but the availability of MNT in rural versus urban communities has not been examined. This study sought to identify the availability of MNT in rural and urban communities by examining Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries in 2012-2016.

2018

Update: Rural/Urban Disparities in Pneumococcal Vaccine Service Delivery Among the Fee-for-Service Medicare Population, 2012-2015
Policy Brief
Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
Date: 11/2018
Delivery of pneumococcal vaccines to fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries increased 380% from 2014-2015 as a result of uptake of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13). However, a significant rural-urban disparity remains. Pharmacy providers delivered a significantly greater proportion of vaccines in rural versus urban counties.
Rural/Urban Disparities in Pneumococcal Vaccine Service Delivery Among the Fee-for-Service Medicare Population
Policy Brief
Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
Date: 02/2018
Using 2014 Medicare data, we found a significant disparity in pneumococcal vaccine service delivery to fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries. Although primary care providers delivered the majority of pneumococcal vaccines to this population, pharmacy providers delivered a significantly greater proportion of vaccines in rural versus urban counties.