Health promotion and disease prevention
Research Products & Journal Articles
Browse the full list of research publications on this topic completed by the Rural Health Research Centers.
Products – Freely accessible products include policy briefs, fact sheets, full reports, chartbooks, and interactive data websites.
Journal Articles – Articles in peer-reviewed journals may require a subscription or affiliation with a subscribing library. For these publications, Gateway lists the article citation, a brief summary, a link to additional information and access to the full-text of the article, if available.
2023
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State Priorities and Needs: The Role of Block Grants
Journal Article
ETSU/NORC Rural Health Research Center
Date: 11/2023
This study looks at state-level funding allocations for 5 federal block grant programs from 2015-2019, and associations with state-level measures of need that align with the purposes of each block grant program. -
Colorectal Cancer Screening in Rural and Urban Primary Care Practices Amid Implementation of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act
Journal Article
Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
Date: 06/2023
This study examined whether colorectal cancer screening rates improved among rural and urban primary care practices amid implementation of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act. Researchers tested for rural/urban differences and changes in screening rates between 2016 and 2020.
2022
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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
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The Association of Rurality and Breast Cancer Stage at Diagnosis: A National Study of the SEER Cancer Registry
Policy Brief
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 10/2021
Patients from rural areas have lower breast cancer screening rates and poorer cancer outcomes than urban patients and received initial breast cancer diagnosis at a later stage compared with urban patients. Being uninsured was also associated with late stage at diagnosis. Patterns have persisted and suggest areas for policy change. -
"They're Not Leaving Their Home; This Is Where They Were Born, This Is Where They Will Die.": Key Informant Perspectives From the U.S. Counties With the Greatest Concentration of the Oldest Old
Journal Article
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 07/2021
Researchers share interview results with key informants from 50 rural U.S. counties with the highest percentage of the residents ages 85 and older or the "oldest old." Respondents shared unique challenges to serving this population, as well as positive attributes of rural communities that make them attractive places for growing older. -
Disparities in Meeting USPSTF Breast, Cervical, and Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines Among Women in the United States
Journal Article
University of South Carolina Rural 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. -
Advancing Population Health in Rural Places: Key Lessons and Policy Opportunities
Report
RUPRI Health Panel: Rural Policy Analysis and Applications
Date: 01/2021
This paper advances policy discussion of population health in rural places, focusing on the role of rural healthcare organizations. Lessons from ongoing programs provide policy considerations. Medicare and Medicaid programs should prioritize staff and infrastructure development, flexibility in covered benefits, and further expansion of telehealth.
2020
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Risky Substance Use Behaviors Among Adolescents Residing in Nonmetropolitan and Metropolitan Counties in the United States, 2017-2018
Policy Brief
Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
Date: 11/2020
This brief uses nationally representative survey data to compare past-30 day and past-year risky substance use among adolescents 12 to 17 years of age residing in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties. Specifically, we compared consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and other illicit substances. -
Risky Substance Use Behaviors Among Adults Residing in Nonmetropolitan and Metropolitan Counties in the United States, 2017-2018
Policy Brief
Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
Date: 11/2020
This brief uses nationally representative survey data to identify differences in past-30 day and past-year risky substance use among adults, including alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs. This data indicates some significant differences in substance use consumption. -
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.
2019
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Investigating the Impact of Geographic Location on Colorectal Cancer Stage at Diagnosis: A National Study of the SEER Cancer Registry
Journal Article
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 08/2019
Access to recommended cancer screening is more difficult for rural than urban residents. As a result, rural patients may present at later stages than urban patients due to delays in detection. This study compared the adjusted rates of and late colorectal cancer staging at diagnosis between patients residing in urban and rural counties.
2018
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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 Family Physicians Have a Broader Scope of Practice Than Urban Family Physicians
Policy Brief
Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
Date: 02/2018
While the scope of practice of family physicians has been shrinking, they still practice broadly, often due to fewer health care resources in rural areas. Using data from family physicians seeking continued board certification in 2014 and 2015, we found that a high percentage of rural family physicians provide nearly every clinical service queried. -
Rural Family Physicians in Patient Centered Medical Homes Have a Broader Scope of Practice
Policy Brief
Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
Date: 02/2018
The Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) is supposed to provide accessible and comprehensive care. Using data from family physicians seeking to continue their American Board of Family Medicine certification in 2014 and 2015, we found that rural family physicians in PCMH practices generally provide more services than those in non-PCMH practices. -
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.
2017
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Who Performs Colonoscopy? Workforce Trends Over Space and Time
Journal Article
University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Date: 11/2017
Using data from South Carolina from 2001-2010, this study looked at changes in the types of facilities doing colonoscopies as well as the any changes in who is performing them.
2008
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Trends in Cervical and Breast Cancer Screening Practices Among Women in Rural and Urban Areas of the United States
Policy Brief
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 08/2008
This policy brief documents the receipt of timely breast and cervical cancer screening using a rural-urban classification system and nationally representative data. -
Trends in Cervical and Breast Cancer Screening Practices Among Women in Rural and Urban Areas of the United States (Final Report)
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 08/2008
This policy brief reports on trends in breast cancer screening practices. Participation in mammography improved nationally, but women living in rural locations remained less likely to receive the test than those living in urban settings. -
Financing Rural Public Health Activities in Prevention and Health Promotion (Final Report)
NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
Date: 06/2008
This is the final report of a study to determine whether the flow of federal resources, from federal agencies, through states, and to communities, is influenced by state- and local-level public health infrastructure. -
Rural Public Health Financing: The Relationship Between Infrastructure and Local Program Funding
Policy Brief
NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
Date: 06/2008
This study's purpose was to describe how federal funds for selected chronic disease prevention and health promotion activities are distributed to local health departments and non-governmental organizations at the local level and to identify infrastructure-related barriers that rural agencies may face in securing and using funds for such purposes.
2006
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Problem Drinking: Rural and Urban Trends in America, 1995/1997 to 2003
Journal Article
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 03/2006
Assesses the prevalence of, and recent trends in, alcohol use among adults 18 years and older in rural areas of the United States. The paper finds that heavy drinking was highest and increasing in urban areas, but that binge drinking was greater in rural areas. It recommends tailoring interventions specifically to meet the needs of rural residents. -
Prevalence and Trends in Smoking: A National Rural Study
Journal Article
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 2006
Using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the prevalence of smoking between 1994-1996 and 2000-2001 did not change substantially for the United States as a whole. The prevalence of smoking for rural residents decreased by more than 2 percent in six states. However, it increased by 2 percent or more in ten states.
2005
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A National Study of Obesity Prevalence and Trends by Type of Rural County
Journal Article
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 2005
Analyzes data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System for 1994-1996 and 2000-2001 to estimate the recent trends in obesity among U.S. adults residing in rural locations. In 2000-2001 the prevalence of obesity was 23.0% for rural adults and 20.5% for urban, representing increases of 4.8% and 5.5%, respectively, since 1994-1996. -
Trends in Professional Advice to Lose Weight Among Obese Adults, 1994-2000
Journal Article
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 2005
The authors studied whether rising obesity prevalence in the U.S. was accompanied by an increasing trend in professional advice to lose weight among obese adults, and found that disparities in professional advice to lose weight associated with income and educational attainment increased from 1994 to 2000. They concluded that there is a need for mechanisms that allow healthcare professionals to devote sufficient attention to weight control and to link with evidence-based weight loss interventions, especially those that target groups most at risk for obesity.
2004
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Obesity Prevalence in Rural Counties: A National Study
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 01/2004
Using a telephone survey of adults ages 18 and older residing in states participating in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System in 1994-96 and 2000-01, researchers found that the prevalence of obesity was 23% for rural adults and 20.5% for urban adults.