Rural Health
Research Gateway

Chronic diseases and conditions

Completed Projects

Listed by project completion date. You can also view these projects alphabetically.

2023

  • Diabetes Management in Urban and Rural Areas of the U.S.
    This project used the IBM MarketScan database to examine differences in type 2 diabetes prevalence and monitoring for a commercially insured sample. It also employed definitions from the Health Effectiveness Data and Information Set guidelines for comprehensive diabetes care to determine if rural residents are more or less likely to meet recommended standards for type 2 diabetes monitoring and control.
    Research center: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
    Topics: Care management, Chronic diseases and conditions, Diabetes, Health disparities and health equity, Health promotion and disease prevention, Health services, Healthcare access, Private health insurance, Quality
  • 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: Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Topics: Care management, Chronic diseases and conditions, Health disparities and health equity, Health services, Hospitals and clinics, Public health
  • Rural and Urban Primary Care Physicians' Colorectal Screening Performance
    The objectives of this project were to profile, compare, and further understand rural versus urban differences in colorectal screening performance among primary care physicians nationally.
    Research center: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
    Topics: Cancer, Chronic diseases and conditions, Health promotion and disease prevention, Healthcare access, Physicians
  • 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
  • The Intersection of Race/Ethnicity and Rurality in Pediatric Asthma: Trends and Predictors
    Little is known about the extent to which the intersection of race/ethnicity and rurality plays a role in the disparities associated with asthma outcomes, particularly among children. Using the National Inpatient Sample from 2015 – 2019, this project identified trends in pediatric asthma-related hospitalizations and the significant predictors of them, particularly by considering interaction terms.
    Research center: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Children and adolescents, Chronic diseases and conditions, Health disparities and health equity

2022

  • Evaluating the Rural HIV/AIDS Planning Grant Program
    The Rural HIV/AIDS Planning Grant program is administered by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy to plan and develop healthcare networks designed to address HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in states disproportionately impacted by the virus. This project identified factors that facilitate and impede success of such planning efforts.
    Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Care management, Chronic diseases and conditions, Health disparities and health equity, Healthcare access, Minority health, Networking and collaboration

2021

  • Cardiovascular & Cancer Rates for the Rural Delta Region
    This interactive tool can be used to compare county-level rates and incidence of cancer and cardiovascular related health measures for people residing in the lower Mississippi River Delta Region. Users may filter by various health measures and download images and data.
    Research center: North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
    Topics: Cancer, Chronic diseases and conditions, Diabetes, Health disparities and health equity, Obesity
  • Geographic Access to Healthcare for Rural Medicare Beneficiaries: An Update and National Look
    This objective of this study was to compare, at a national and census division level, where rural and urban Medicare beneficiaries receive ambulatory care, which types of specialists they utilize and how far beneficiaries are traveling to obtain care.
    Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Aging, Chronic diseases and conditions, Health services, Medicare, Workforce
  • 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
  • Trends and Predictors of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Light of the Opioid Crisis Along the Urban-Rural Continuum
    This project explored trends in the burden of HIV and predictors of HIV-related mortality and morbidity. The study examined how the opioid crisis has changed the nature of the burden of HIV, especially considering differential disease burdens between residents of rural areas relative to their urban counterparts.
    Research center: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Pharmacy and prescription drugs, Substance use and treatment

2020

2019

  • Access and Quality of Care for Rural Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
    Although rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are substantially higher in rural areas, there has been limited research on healthcare access and quality issues for individuals with COPD who live in rural communities. This project aimed to improve the accessibility and quality of care for rural COPD patients.
    Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Cancer, Chronic diseases and conditions, Quality

2018

  • 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

2017

  • Who Treats Opioid Addiction in Rural America? Quantifying the Availability of Buprenorphine Services in Rural Areas
    This study will investigate the extent to which physicians who practice in rural areas and have a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) waiver to prescribe buprenorphine as an office-based outpatient treatment for opioid use disorder are providing this treatment to their patients. This study will also estimate the need for office-based opioid disorder treatment in rural locations.
    Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Mental and behavioral health, Pharmacy and prescription drugs, Substance use and treatment

2014

  • Implications of Mental Health Comorbidity and Rural Residence for Health Care Use Patterns of Individuals with Chronic Disease
    This study will use the 2005-2010 panels of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey to compare the prevalence of concurrent mental health and chronic illnesses across rural and urban populations and to describe relationships among comorbidity, residence, and healthcare use. Findings will inform public and private decisions on how best to allocate new resources available for mental health/primary care integration efforts.
    Research center: Maine Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Mental and behavioral health
  • Intensity of Service Provision for Medicare Beneficiaries Utilizing Home Health Services
    This study will assess whether Medicare beneficiaries in rural areas receive a lower intensity of home health (HH) services compared to their urban counterparts. Specifically, the study will examine (1) the distribution of levels of HH services for four conditions: joint (hip and knee) replacement, stroke, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and diabetes; (2) the distribution of type of provider for each condition across the levels of rurality; and (3) the median charge and payment per beneficiary for these services across the levels of rurality.
    Research center: Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Diabetes, Home health, Medicare

2013

  • Do Rural Patients with Early Stage Prostate Cancer Gain Access to All Treatment Choices?
    This research will use cancer registry data from 10 states to examine the degree to which rural residents diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer access the full range of surveillance, surgical, and radiation treatment options. Study findings will inform cancer centers, advocacy groups, rural program planners, and policymakers about services and programs needed to ensure that rural prostate cancer patients can choose from among all treatment options.
    Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Cancer, Chronic diseases and conditions, Health services

2012

  • Cancer Hospitalizations in Rural-Urban Areas in Relation to Carcinogenic Discharges from Toxics Release Inventory Facilities
    The purpose of the research is to understand whether discharges of carcinogens from Toxics Release Inventory facilities are related to higher cancer hospitalization rates in rural and urban settings. Evidence for this association will have potential implications for improvements to environmental policy or policies for improved cancer detection and treatment in rural settings.
    Research center: West Virginia Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Cancer, Chronic diseases and conditions, Diabetes, Environmental and agricultural health, Hospitals and clinics, Public health
  • Dialysis Availability in Rural America
    Working from Medicare Dialysis Compare files and the Standard Analysis File of the US Renal Data System, we will evaluate the current availability of dialysis services across rural America. We will examine general availability of services, service to population ratios, and patient outcome measures across levels of rurality.
    Research center: Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Diabetes, Medicare
  • Rural HIV: Estimated Prevalence of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Rural America
    This study will describe the prevalence of HIV/AIDS by county, or when county-level data are not available, by sub-state region or state, together with information on the availability of health services, including Ryan White Clinics. A sub-study will develop models identifying rural counties at highest risk for increases in the population of PLWHA.
    Research center: Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Topic: Chronic diseases and conditions
  • Use of Recommended Radiation Therapy in the Rural U.S.
    This study will use cancer registry data from 10 U.S. states to examine which rural cancer patients are receiving recommended radiation therapy, and what factors influence receipt of recommended treatment. Identifying gaps in radiation therapy will inform cancer centers, rural program planners, and policy makers in rural cancer service locations and cancer support program development.
    Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Cancer, Chronic diseases and conditions, Health services

2011

  • Examining Recent Trends and Variation in Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions-related Hospital Expenditures of Rural Americans with Different Health Insurance Coverage and Status
    This study documents the national time-trend and regional variation of rural Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (ACSC)-related hospital expenditures by patient insurance coverage/status. The study will also compare the pattern of difference in the ACSC-related expenditures of rural patients with different insurance coverage/status by patient demographic and economic characteristics as well as hospital characteristics.
    Research center: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
    Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Health services, Healthcare financing, Private health insurance
  • Transitions in Care for Rural Medicare Beneficiaries with Diabetes
    Hospital readmission rates among persons with diabetes, as well as absolute admission rates, may be used to study health disparities among rural and minority populations. This project will use data from the Medicare Chronic Conditions Data Warehouse to explore residence- and race-based disparities in diabetes admission rates, effective transitions to outpatient care, and re-admission rates, to help guide rural policy-makers and healthcare providers.
    Research center: Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Diabetes, Health disparities and health equity, Medicare, Minority health

2010

2009

  • Descriptive Analysis of the Health Status of a National Asbestos-Related Cohort
    A collaborative study to establish a more comprehensive understanding of the health status and health service needs of persons exposed to Libby asbestos is being conducted by nurse researchers at Montana State University College of Nursing and healthcare providers at the Center for Asbestos Related Disease in Libby, Montana. Results of the descriptive study will provide healthcare providers and policy makers a better understanding of the health effects and healthcare needs of exposed persons.
    Research center: FORHP-funded Individual Grantees
    Topics: Cancer, Chronic diseases and conditions, Health services
  • Effect of Safety Net Providers on Ambulatory Care Sensitive Hospitalization Rates in Rural Counties
    This project will determine if the presence of a community health center or rural health clinic in a county reduces ambulatory care sensitive hospitalizations for children, working age adults, and older adults.
    Research center: Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Health services, Poverty, Rural Health Clinics (RHCs)

2008

  • Diabetes and Obesity: Is there a Rural-Urban Difference in the Burden?
    Persons with diabetes are more likely to be obese, increasing the economic burden of diabetes related care. Purpose of this study is to examine if being overweight and obese places additional economic burden and if there is a rural-urban difference in this regard. It will help understand the health and economic consequences of diabetes and obesity epidemic on people's health.
    Research center: FORHP-funded Individual Grantees
    Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Diabetes, Obesity
  • Examining the Magnitudes, Geographic Variations, and Determinants Of Expenditures Due to Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions in Rural Hospitals
    This project will document the magnitude of and variation in ambulatory care sensitive condition (ACSC) expenditures of rural hospitals and explore the relationships between rural hospital ACSC expenditure and its key determinants in the areas of population demand, health care system supply, and provider practice style.
    Research center: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
    Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Healthcare financing, Hospitals and clinics
  • Financing Rural Public Health Activities in Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
    This project describes the federal-state funding streams for selected local public health activities in the area of chronic disease prevention and health promotion, and assesses potential barriers to program implementation in less populated, local areas of a state.
    Research center: NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
    Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Health promotion and disease prevention, Healthcare financing, Public health

2007

  • Burden of Asthma Among Rural Residents: A National Study
    This study uses data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to examine the prevalence of and trends in asthma among rural residents by type of geographic location and by key risk factors.
    Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Health disparities and health equity, Minority health, Rural statistics and demographics
  • Diabetes Burden and the Lack of Preventive Care in the Rural United States
    The project is designed to determine if there are disparities in diabetes care provided to persons with diabetes residing in rural areas as compared to those in urban areas. Additionally, the project will examine diabetes related health care resource utilization with implications for improving care and reducing the economic burden.
    Research center: FORHP-funded Individual Grantees
    Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Diabetes, Health disparities and health equity, Public health
  • Hospitalizations of Rural Children for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions
    This project uses state inpatient discharge data from six states, data from the Area Resource File and the AHRQ Pediatric Quality Indicators to examine Ambulatory Care Sensitive Condition admission rates for rural children.
    Research center: Upper Midwest Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Children and adolescents, Chronic diseases and conditions
  • National Study of Rural Medicaid Disease Management
    This project will identify those states with Medicaid disease management (DM) programs that serve clients in rural areas; analyze the characteristics of the rural DM programs, and identify benefits, challenges and issues for Medicaid programs providing DM services in rural areas.
    Research center: FORHP-funded Individual Grantees
    Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Medicaid and CHIP
  • U.S. Hospitalizations for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions: A Rural/Urban Comparison
    This project will assess trends, patterns, and predictors of hospitalizations for three ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) (i.e., uncontrolled diabetes, bacterial pneumonia, and pediatric asthma) among rural and urban residents in the United States. The study will involve the examination of 2003 HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample data.
    Research center: FORHP-funded Individual Grantees
    Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Diabetes, Rural statistics and demographics

2006

  • Pharmaceutical Data Validity in Estimating Rural Population Health
    This project will allow for the quantification of variation in morbidity (via prescription use) across rural areas; identify locations that might be at risk for stunted economic development due to high levels of chronic illness in the working population; and potentially lead to the development of a valid and reliable measure of county-level rates of chronic illness using prescription data as a proxy.
    Research center: FORHP-funded Individual Grantees
    Topics: Cancer, Chronic diseases and conditions, Diabetes, Pharmacy and prescription drugs, Public health, Rural statistics and demographics
  • Rural Safety Net Provision and Hospital Care in 11 States
    This project evaluated whether access to primary care is more effective at improving health outcomes and reducing costs in rural than urban markets, and identified the characteristics of communities which contribute to improved health outcomes and reducing preventable hospitalizations. This research informs policy relating funding access provision through public clinics to reduce the burden of uncompensated or under-compensated care on financially strained rural hospitals.
    Research center: FORHP-funded Individual Grantees
    Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Health services, Hospitals and clinics
  • Urban and Rural Differences in Access to Care and Treatment for Medicare Beneficiaries with Cancer
    Little is known about the differences in the diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of care for cancer patients across urban and rural regions of the country. This study will extend our understanding of the challenge of providing high-quality cancer care to Medicare beneficiaries and how provider availability influences access to needed care in urban and rural areas.
    Research center: FORHP-funded Individual Grantees
    Topics: Cancer, Chronic diseases and conditions, Health services, Medicare, Quality

2005

  • Access to Physician Care for the Rural Medicare Elderly
    This study described where Medicare beneficiaries in five states obtain their health care, how far they travel for that care, and the mix of physician specialties from which they obtain ambulatory care. Special attention was paid to beneficiaries who have dual Medicare-Medicaid status, who reside in poorer income areas, and who live in designated Health Professional Shortage Areas.
    Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Aging, Chronic diseases and conditions, Health services, Medicare, Physicians, Poverty
  • Diabetes and Hypertension in Rural Hispanics
    The project will examine the similarities and differences between rural and urban Hispanics and Caucasian adults diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and hypertension.
    Research center: Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Diabetes, Health disparities and health equity, Hispanics, Minority health
  • Rural Quality Improvement Focus on Diabetes
    This project focused specifically on diabetes care management and quality improvement programming in rural areas as a way to understand the adaptability and policy implications of using chronic care coordination and other models in a rural environment.
    Research center: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
    Topics: Care management, Chronic diseases and conditions, Diabetes, Quality

2004

  • 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
  • Prevalence of Chronic Disease and the Degree of Rurality of American Indian Elders in a Nationally Representative Sample of 100 Tribes
    This project will determine if there are differences in prevalence of chronic disease in American Indian elders across age groups in urban vs. rural vs. frontier counties. Moderating factors of chronic disease will also be examined including health damaging behaviors, access to health care services and providers and degree of functional limitation.
    Research center: FORHP-funded Individual Grantees
    Topics: Aging, American Indians and Alaska Natives, Chronic diseases and conditions, Frontier health, Long-term care, Minority health, Rural statistics and demographics

2003

2001

2000

1999

Unknown

  • Access to Cancer Services for Rural Colorectal Cancer Medicare Patients: A Multi-State Study
    This study examined a comprehensive database to quantify the distance and access to four types of cancer services in a sample of rural, Medicare-insured, CRC patients of different racial and ethnic groups, and will inform future work designed to understand discrepancies in cancer service use by the rural elderly in different racial and ethnic groups.
    Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Aging, Cancer, Chronic diseases and conditions, Health services, Medicare, Minority health