Whitney E. Zahnd, PhD

RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis

Email: whitney-zahnd@uiowa.edu
Twitter: @WhitneyZahnd

Health Management and Policy
University of Iowa
145 N. Riverside Drive
Iowa City, IA 52242

Current Projects - (2)
Publications - (25)

Current Projects - (2)

Rural and Racial/Ethnic Disparities in COVID-19 Mortality Rates and Associations with Community Characteristics
This project examines rural and racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19 mortality rates during the peak of COVID-19 deaths (December 2020-January 2021). We will examine mortality rates across non-metropolitan and metropolitan counties overall and stratified by racial/ethnic composition and U.S. census region, and spatial regression methods will be used to identify community characteristics (e.g., rurality, sociodemographic, health conditions, and health care access) associated with mortality rates at the county level.
Research center: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Topics: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Health disparities and health equity, Healthcare access
Rural-Urban Differences in Three Domains of Access to Health Care Services
This study proposes to leverage 2018 and 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to examine rural-urban and racial/ethnic differences within rural in three domains of access to health care services (affordability, accommodation, and acceptability) that are less frequently examined in population-based surveys.
Research center: Rural and Minority Health Research Center
Topics: Health disparities and health equity, Healthcare access, Minority health

Publications - (25)

2022

Comparison of Cancer Treatment Services across Hospitals
Fact Sheet
Rural and Minority Health Research Center
Date: 05/2022
This research compared the availability of comprehensive oncology, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy in Critical Access Hospitals and non-Critical Access Hospitals.
Colorectal and Cervical Cancer Prevention in Rural Health Clinics in South Carolina
Fact Sheet
Rural and Minority Health Research Center
Date: 02/2022
This study investigated the perceptions and practices of cervical and colorectal cancer prevention in Rural Health Clinics. An online survey was administered to all Rural Health Clinics in South Carolina. Quantitative survey findings and key takeaways were reported.
Perceptions and Practices for Colorectal and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control in Rural Health Clinics in South Carolina
Fact Sheet
Rural and Minority Health Research Center
Date: 02/2022
This study investigated the perceptions and practices for colorectal and cervical cancer prevention and control in Rural Health Clinics in South Carolina. Health practitioner interviews were used to gather qualitative data.
The Problem of the Color Line: Place, Race, and Access to Health Care in America
Rural and Minority Health Research Center
Date: 02/2022
Using ZIP Code Tabulation Area boundaries and associated rural-urban commuting area codes, urban and rural places with the largest share of minoritized racial and ethnic groups were identified. A StoryMap was then created to illustrate disparities experienced based on where Indigenous populations and people of color reside spatially.

2021

Trends in Cancer Treatment Service Availability Across Critical Access Hospitals and Prospective Payment System Hospitals
Rural and Minority Health Research Center
Date: 08/2021
This study investigated trends in cancer services availability in urban and rural Prospective Payment System (PPS) hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Compared with all PPS hospitals, CAHs offered fewer cancer treatment services and experienced a decline in service capability over time.
Trends in Spatial Access to Colonoscopy in South Carolina, 2000-2014
Rural and Minority Health Research Center
Date: 06/2021
This study looks at the availability of colonoscopy screenings in South Carolina between 2000 and 2014 with a focus on changes in spatial access for these preventive services.
Rural and Racial Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Incidence and Mortality in South Carolina, 1996 - 2016
Rural and Minority Health Research Center
Date: 05/2021
This study investigated how race and rurality impact colorectal cancer incidence and mortality in South Carolina.
Disparities in Meeting USPSTF Breast, Cervical, and Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines Among Women in the United States
Rural and Minority 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.
The Intersection of Rural Residence and Minority Race/Ethnicity in Cancer Disparities in the United States
Rural and Minority Health Research Center
Date: 02/2021
This manuscript summarizes how racism and social determinants of health disproportionately affect rural racial/ethnic minorities, offers a review of the cancer disparities rural racial/ethnic minorities face, and recommends policy, research, and intervention to reduce these disparities.

2020

Spatial Access to Vaccines for Children Providers in South Carolina: Implications for HPV Vaccination
Rural and Minority Health Research Center
Date: 12/2020
In South Carolina, rural children ages 13 to 17 years old have lower rates of HPV vaccination initiation. To better understand potential drivers of this rural-urban disparity, this study's objective was to examine spatial access to Vaccines For Children-enrolled clinics across rural and urban areas of the state.
Cervical Cancer Treatment Initiation and Survival: The Role of Residential Proximity to Cancer Care
Rural and Minority Health Research Center
Date: 10/2020
This study looked at the role drive time to cancer care facilities played on cancer treatment initiation and survival for cervical cancer patients.
Rural-Urban and Racial/Ethnic Trends and Disparities in Early-Onset and Average-Onset Colorectal Cancer
Rural and Minority Health Research Center
Date: 10/2020
The study's objective was to examine joint rural-urban differences in early onset colorectal cancer and average onset colorectal cancer incidence rates across racial/ethnic groups in the U.S.
Access to Colorectal Cancer Screening Programs for Underserved Populations in South Carolina
Fact Sheet
Rural and Minority Health Research Center
Date: 08/2020
This fact sheet identifies existing initiatives targeting colorectal cancer screening in rural South Carolina.
Cervical Cancer and HPV Vaccination Disparities in South Carolina
Fact Sheet
Rural and Minority Health Research Center
Date: 08/2020
This fact sheet identifies existing initiatives targeting cervical cancer prevention and control in rural South Carolina.
Rural and Racial Disparities In Colorectal Cancer Incidence and Mortality In South Carolina 1996 - 2016 (Fact Sheet)
Fact Sheet
Rural and Minority Health Research Center
Date: 08/2020
This fact sheet examines the burden of colorectal cancer among South Carolina residents by urban-rural status and race/ethnicity.
Expanding Access to HPV Vaccination in South Carolina Through Community Pharmacies: A Geospatial Analysis
Rural and Minority Health Research Center
Date: 06/2020
Human papillomavirus (HPV) rates are higher in rural areas. The uptake of HPV vaccination is lower among rural populations. Pharmacies may be ideal for improving vaccination access. Does spatial access to pharmacies among adolescents and young adults in South Carolina vary by rurality and geographic access to primary care providers?
Factors Associated with Perceived Job Preparedness Among RNs: Results From a National Survey
Rural and Minority Health Research Center
Date: 05/2020
This article examines perceived job preparedness by demographic and professional characteristics among practicing registered nurses who completed a national survey. Rural and male nurses felt less prepared for nursing practice and may benefit from tailored educational experiences to improve perceptions of being prepared for the workforce.
Rural-Urban Differences in Educational Attainment Among Registered Nurses: Implications for Achieving an 80% BSN Workforce
Rural and Minority Health Research Center
Date: 05/2020
Our primary objective was to provide updated information on rural-urban differences in educational attainment. We also examined rural-urban differences in employment type, salary, and demographics among registered nurses in different practice settings.
A Bivariate Mapping Tutorial for Cancer Control Resource Allocation Decisions and Interventions
Rural and Minority Health Research Center
Date: 01/2020
This study demonstrates how geographic information systems software, specifically ArcGIS, can be used to develop bivariate choropleth maps to inform resource allocation and public health interventions.

2019

Rural-Urban Differences in Financial Burden Among Cancer Survivors: An Analysis of a Nationally Representative Survey
Rural and Minority Health Research Center
Date: 12/2019
Rural cancer survivors may disproportionately experience financial problems due to their cancer because of greater travel costs, higher uninsured/underinsured rates, and other factors. Our objective was to examine rural-urban differences in reported financial problems due to cancer using a nationally representative survey.
Financial Hardship Among Rural Cancer Survivors: An Analysis of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey
Rural and Minority Health Research Center
Date: 11/2019
This study examined contrasts in financial hardship among 1,419 rural and urban cancer survivors using the 2011 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey supplement the Effects of Cancer and Its Treatment on Finances.
Geographic Disparities in Residential Proximity to Colorectal and Cervical Cancer Care Providers
Rural and Minority Health Research Center
Date: 11/2019
Persistent rural‐urban disparities for colorectal and cervical cancers raise concerns regarding access to treatment providers. To the authors knowledge, little is known regarding rural‐urban differences in residential proximity to cancer specialists.
Multilevel Analysis in Rural Cancer Control: A Conceptual Framework and Methodological Implications
Rural and Minority Health Research Center
Date: 09/2019
Our objective was two-fold: 1) to develop a multilevel conceptual framework describing how rural residence and relevant micro, macro, and supra-macro factors can be considered in evaluating disparities across the cancer control continuum and 2) to outline the unique considerations of multilevel statistical modeling in rural cancer research.
Challenges of Using Nationally Representative, Population-Based Surveys to Assess Rural Cancer Disparities
Rural and Minority Health Research Center
Date: 08/2019
Population-based surveys provide important information about cancer-related health behaviors across the cancer care continuum. However, due to small rural sample sizes, varying sampling methods, and/or other study design or analytical concerns, there are challenges in using population-based surveys for rural cancer control research and practice.
Perceived Facilitators and Barriers to Rural Nursing Practice
Policy Brief
Rural and Minority Health Research Center
Date: 08/2019
A web-based survey was disseminated to a geographically diverse sample of nurses throughout the U.S. to assess perceived barriers and facilitators to nursing practice; job satisfaction; and self-identified challenges in nursing work environments and patient care. Of particular interest were nurses in ambulatory care practices.