Social determinants of health

Completed Projects

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

2023

• Assessing Geographic Variability in Key Indicators of Water Quality and Air Quality: A Comparison of Urban vs. Rural Communities
  The purpose of this project was to compare air and water quality indicators across U.S. Census tracts specifically focusing on rural vs. urban differences.
  Research center: Rural and Minority Health Research Center
  Topics: Environmental and agricultural health, Health disparities and health equity, Public health, Social determinants of health
  
• Rural Health Access: Affordability and Barriers to Care
  Rural-urban comparisons of healthcare access and affordability predate many policy reform efforts aimed at increasing access and decreasing costs—ongoing concerns of rural families. This study used national health survey data to examine rural-urban differences in access to medical care, access to insurance, and affordability of care.
  Research center: Maine Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: Health disparities and health equity, Health reform, Health services, Healthcare access, Healthcare financing, Private health insurance, Public health, Social determinants of health
  
• The Direct Care Workforce in Rural Areas
  In this study, we measured the supply of long-term care services and supports (LTSS) direct care workers relative to older adult populations in rural and urban areas and measure employer and industry turnover among LTSS direct care workers. We also explored how compensation levels – including wages and employer-based health insurance – are related to and predict worker turnover in the LTSS direct care workforce in rural and urban areas.
  Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: Aging, Allied health professionals, Health services, Home health, Long-term care, Post-acute care, Poverty, Rural statistics and demographics, Social determinants of health, Workforce
  

2022

• Aging in Place in Rural America: What Does It Look Like and How Can It Be Supported?
  In general, people want to age in place. This project looked at the structures in place to help them do so and how those structures vary by rurality. Federal, state, and local policy implications for improving health outcomes and quality of life for rural older adults aging in place were also be identified.
  Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: Aging, Disabilities, Health disparities and health equity, Healthcare access, Home health, Long-term care, Social determinants of health
  
• Living Alone: Rural-Urban Differences in Prevalence, Socio-Demographic Correlates, and Health Needs Across the Lifespan
  This project's purpose was to document rural-urban differences in the prevalence of living alone across different age groups, describe rural-urban differences in the socio-demographic correlates and health needs of individuals living alone, and identify rural-relevant policies and programs to support rural residents living alone across the lifespan.
  Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: Health disparities and health equity, Social determinants of health
  
• Northern Border Regional Commission State and Region Chartbooks: A Health-Focused Landscape Analysis
  The aim of this study was to compile the most recent publicly available data related to health and healthcare access at the county-level and state-level for the Norther Border Region and the individual states: ME, NH, VT, and NY. We highlighted counties with worse health outcomes, as compared to the rest of the counties in the region.
  Research center: Maine Rural Health Research Center
  Topics: Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), Rural statistics and demographics, Social determinants of health, Substance use and treatment, Telehealth, Uninsured and underinsured, Workforce
  
• Rural-Urban Differences in Adverse and Positive Childhood Experiences: Results from the National Survey of Children's Health
  Using the 2016-2018 National Survey of Children's Health, the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and positive childhood experiences (PCEs) exposure in all 50 states and the District of Columbia were examined and whether ACE and PCE exposure differed between rural and urban residents, by type, by count, and by racial/ethnic group.
  Research center: Rural and Minority Health Research Center
  Topics: American Indians and Alaska Natives, Children and adolescents, Hispanics, Minority health, Social determinants of health
  

2021

• The Association of Occupation with Mental Illnesses and Death by Suicide
  This study examined the association of occupational risk factors with mental illnesses, all-cause mortality, and suicide.
  Research center: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
  Topics: Health disparities and health equity, Mental and behavioral health, Social determinants of health
  

2019

• Social Determinants of Health Among Minority Populations in Rural America
  This project compiled information from the U.S. Census, the Area Health Resource File, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation County Rankings data set into a comprehensive summary of key social determinants of health among rural populations: demographic characteristics, economic characteristics, health facility availability, and selected health outcomes.
  Research center: Rural and Minority Health Research Center
  Topics: American Indians and Alaska Natives, Hispanics, Minority health, Rural statistics and demographics, Social determinants of health
  

2016

• Exploring Rural and Urban Mortality Differences
  This project examines the impact of rurality on mortality and explores the regional differences in the primary and underlying causes of death. It also explores the role of the rural public health systems in addressing social determinants of health.
  Research center: North Dakota and NORC Rural Health Reform Policy Research Center
  Topics: Public health, Social determinants of health