Timothy Callaghan, PhD

Email: timcal@bu.edu
Twitter: @THCallaghan

Health Law, Policy, and Management
Boston University
Boston University School of Public Health
715 Albany Street
Boston, MA 02118

Completed Projects - (4)
Publications - (22)

Completed Projects - (4)

An Innovative Approach to Targeting Rural Communities in Public Health Funding
The Centers for Disease Control launched a new initiative to address COVID-19 related health disparities and to advance health equity among underserved and at-risk populations. This effort included state funding to address the needs of rural communities. This project was designed to better understand this initiative and its impact on rural health.
Research center: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Health disparities and health equity, Healthcare financing, Public health
Community Health Worker Roles, Regulation and Growth in Rural America
This study looked at the role of Community Health Workers in improving access to healthcare services in rural and urban environments. The project focused on the growing and changing roles of these influential actors and how their responsibilities vary based on setting (hospital, clinic, community, etc.), location (rural vs. urban), and regulations.
Research center: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Health disparities and health equity, Healthcare access
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 Healthy People 2030: Challenges and Opportunities for the New Decade
Building on Rural Healthy People 2010 and Rural Healthy People 2020, this project helped to launch Rural Healthy People 2030 and analyze variations in top-ranked Healthy People objectives for rural America. We identified the most important objectives for rural Americans and how Rural Healthy People priorities have changed over time.
Research center: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Health disparities and health equity

Publications - (22)

2023

Opportunities and Challenges of Using Carve-Outs to Fund Rural Public Health Initiatives: Evidence From the COVID-19 Pandemic
Journal Article
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 06/2023
This project explores the impact and lessons learned from the first large-scale rural carve out of a CDC funding initiative. Based on stakeholder interviews, our analysis found they supported this funding mechanism and that the funds were being used in interesting and creative ways.
Factors Associated With Hospitalizations for Co-occurring HIV and Opioid-related Diagnoses: Evidence From the National Inpatient Sample, 2009-2017
Journal Article
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 05/2023
This study explores trends in co-occurring HIV and opioid-related hospitalizations and identifies key risk factors.
Rural Healthy People 2030: Common Challenges, Rural Nuances
Policy Brief
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 05/2023
This study analyzes the most important Healthy People 2030 priorities for rural America. Data collected from a survey found mental health, substance use, health care access, and economic stability were among the most important priorities. This information could be used to accelerate health improvements in rural America.
Analysis of an Innovative Approach to Target Rural Communities in Public Health Funding
Policy Brief
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 03/2023
The CDC launched a new initiative to address COVID-19 related health disparities and to advance health equity among underserved and at-risk populations. Based on stakeholder interviews, this project explores the formation of this initiative, its impact on rural health, and lessons learned that can be applied to future rural-focused funds.
Rural Healthy People 2030: New Decade, New Challenges
Journal Article
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 03/2023
This study reports the findings of Rural Healthy People 2030, a companion piece to the Healthy People 2030 initiative with a focus on health priorities of rural populations. Data was collected from a survey given to rural stakeholders. Mental health, substance use, health care access, and economic stability were among the most important priorities.

2022

Disparities in Prenatal Immunization Rates in Rural and Urban U.S. Areas by Indicators of Access to Care
Journal Article
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 02/2022
This study evaluates variations in immunization rates among pregnant women across the urban-rural continuum. Results indicate pregnant women in rural areas more commonly rely on Medicaid to fund prenatal care but are less likely to have full or expanded access to Medicaid. This finding may contribute to immunization uptake disparities.

2021

Community Health Worker Roles and Their Evolving Interprofessional Relationships in the United States
Journal Article
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 10/2021
This project analyzes the evolving integration of Community Health Workers (CHWs) into the United States healthcare system. CHWs can aid patients in navigating the complex nature of medical services. Through focus groups with CHWs, three stages in the interprofessional relationships between CHWs and other care providers were identified.
Racial, Rural, and Regional Disparities in Diabetes-Related Lower-Extremity Amputation Rates, 2009–2017
Journal Article
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 09/2021
This study examines race, rurality, and regional disparities in diabetes-related lower-extremity amputations (LEA) among adult hospitalizations from 2009-2017. Findings indicate rising minor LEA rates among Asians/Pacific Islanders and rising major LEA rates among hospitalized diabetes patients in the Midwest.
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.
Disparities in Maternal Immunization Among Women Residing in Rural and Urban Areas of the United States
Journal Article
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 06/2021
This study evaluates disparities in urban-rural influenza vaccination rates of women prior to and during pregnancy using 2016-2018 Pregnant Risk Assessment Monitoring System data. Findings indicate women residing in rural areas have lower vaccination rates with the greatest differences seen in Hispanic women and women with no health insurance.
Community Health Worker Sustainability: Funding, Payment, and Reimbursement Laws in the United States
Journal Article
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 04/2021
Recent changes have been made to community health worker (CHW) funding at the federal level, but payment structures vary from state to state. This paper aims to identify funding mechanisms that would enable CHW programs to sustain a robust workforce.
Influenza and Pertussis Vaccination Rates Among Pregnant Women in Rural and Urban Areas
Policy Brief
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 04/2021
This policy brief evaluates the receipt of influenza and pertussis vaccines from 2012-2018 among pregnant women in rural and urban areas of the U.S. Furthermore, it examines whether pregnant women during this this same period received influenza vaccine recommendations from their healthcare providers.

2020

Factors Affecting the Likelihood of a Hospitalization Following a Diabetes-Related Emergency Department Visit: A Regional and Urban-Rural Analysis
Journal Article
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 05/2020
This study examines place-based and individual-level predictors of diabetes-related hospitalizations using 2009-2014 data from the National Inpatient Sample. Our findings indicate a higher incidence of these hospitalizations in residents of noncore areas in the South and Midwest, racial and ethnic minorities, and the uninsured population.
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
Journal Article
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
Journal Article
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.
Community Health Worker Roles and Responsibilities in Rural and Urban America
Policy Brief
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 11/2019
The primary aim of this study was to understand the evolving profession of community health workers (CHWs) in the U.S. Through focus groups in rural and urban regions of four states, we explored CHW roles and responsibilities, the growing professionalization of the field, and evolving interactions between CHWs and other care providers.
The Development of Telehealth Laws in the U.S. from 2008 to 2015: A Legal Landscape
Policy Brief
Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Date: 11/2019
This study examines the scope and evolving nature of telehealth statutes and regulations in the U.S. Our research aims to understand changes in telehealth laws over time (2008-2015), variations in legal frameworks established across the U.S., and the extent that state laws regulate the primary care delivery through the use of telehealth.
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
Journal Article
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
Journal Article
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.