Disabilities

Current Projects

• Addressing Elder Abuse in Rural Areas
  Elder abuse, including financial, physical, and emotional abuse, as well as self-neglect, is widespread and impacts individual and population health outcomes. However, despite the fact that rural residents are older, in poorer health, and more financially vulnerable, little is known about rural/urban differences in the prevalence of and resources to address elder abuse; this project will address those gaps.
  Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: Aging, Disabilities, Health disparities and health equity, Social determinants of health, Violence and abuse
  
• Extent and Coverage of Rural PACE Services
  Supporting independent living and aging in place for rural residents is more important than ever. This project will provide information on the extent and coverage of rural Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) programs, along with insights into the unique challenges and opportunities faced by PACE programs operating in rural areas.
  Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: Aging, Disabilities, Health disparities and health equity, Healthcare access, Home health, Social determinants of health
  
• Housing as a Social Determinant of Rural Health
  The purpose of this project is to identify rural/urban and within-rural differences in housing quality and its relationship to health and disability status, especially for individuals living in poverty. We will also identify rural-specific housing issues and innovative policy solutions to address housing challenges in order to improve rural health.
  Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: Disabilities, Environmental and agricultural health, Health disparities and health equity, Poverty, Public health, Rural statistics and demographics, Social determinants of health
  
• Unmet Health and Social Needs of Rural Residents with Disability
  We will assess rural-urban differences in access to health care and social wellbeing for rural residents with a disability. Disability rates are often higher in rural areas and, given growing evidence of COVID-related disability, this study will provide critical information about the pre-pandemic status of unmet health and social needs among disabled persons to enable future planning.
  Research center: Maine Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Disabilities, Health disparities and health equity, Healthcare access