Rural Health
Research Gateway

Social determinants of health

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.

  • "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.
  • Access to Health Care for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Adults in Urban and Rural Areas in the United States
    Journal Article
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 08/2023
    This study examines access to care based on gender identity in urban and rural areas, focusing on transgender and gender diverse (TGD) populations. Data came from the 2019 to 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Researchers found greater barriers to care for TGD adults, with the most frequent barriers found among rural TGD adults.
  • Addressing Commuting as a Public Health Issue: Strategies Should Differ by Rurality
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 07/2018
    This policy brief estimates the rate of solo and long (greater than 30 minutes) solo car commutes by rurality and urban adjacency and identifies differences in factors that relate to commuting behavior.
  • Addressing Social Determinants of Health in Family Medicine Practices
    Journal Article
    Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
    Date: 10/2023
    This study evaluated physician, practice, and community characteristics as health care system elements to determine the ability of a primary care practice to address social determinants of health.
  • Advancing the Age-Friendly Movement in Rural Communities
    Journal Article
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 02/2023
    The research team looked at the role of Aging Life Care Managers® to help support the age-friendly movement in rural areas. The team explored ways in which Aging Life Care Managers® could advocate for the needs and interests of their clients, help them access care and support, and involve rural communities in the age-friendly movement.
  • Anxiety, Depression, and Access to Mental Health Care by Sexual Orientation and Rurality
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 06/2022
    This policy brief addresses the research gap among rural sexual minorities by illuminating differences in mental health for two of the most common mental health disorders (depression and anxiety), as well as differences in access to health care.
  • Assessing Geographic Variability in Key Indicators of Air Quality: A Rural vs. Urban Comparison of Pollution and Socio-Economic Factors
    Policy Brief
    Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Date: 03/2023
    The purpose of this study was to examine rates of air pollution between rural and urban census tracts. In addition, urban-rural disparities in exposure to polluted air across Environmental Protection Agency-defined regions were examined.
  • Assessing Key Indicators of Rural Versus Urban Water Quality
    Policy Brief
    Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Date: 08/2023
    This study presents a summary of water quality monitoring data sources and models, identifies the gaps that persist, and proposes the salient categories and types of data that should be contained in a national water quality monitoring database to accurately describe rural water quality.
  • Barriers to Aging in Place in Rural Communities: Perspectives From State Offices of Rural Health
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 11/2021
    This policy brief presents findings from an online survey of State Offices of Rural Health describing barriers for older adults in successfully aging in place in rural communities, and recommendations for how to improve the ability to safely age in place in rural areas of their states.
  • Care Coordination in Rural Communities Supporting the High Performance Rural Health System
    Report
    RUPRI Health Panel: Rural Policy Analysis and Applications
    Date: 06/2015
    This paper examines care coordination programs and processes that affect rural areas to discover what is happening in rural communities, how various programs and approaches are working, who benefits, and to make policy recommendations that will facilitate care coordination efforts in support of high performance rural health system development.
  • Characteristics of Counties With the Highest Proportion of the Oldest Old
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 05/2020
    The "oldest old," or individuals age 85 and older, are one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. population, yet little is known about where those individuals tend to live and what their communities are like. This information is important for planning how to best respond to and support this growing population.
  • Community Health Worker Roles and Responsibilities in Rural and Urban America
    Policy Brief
    Southwest Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 11/2019
    The primary aim of this study was to understand the evolving profession of community health workers (CHWs) in the U.S. Through focus groups in rural and urban regions of four states, we explored CHW roles and responsibilities, the growing professionalization of the field, and evolving interactions between CHWs and other care providers.
  • Community Health Worker Roles and Their Evolving Interprofessional Relationships in the United States
    Journal Article
    Southwest Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 10/2021
    This project analyzes the evolving integration of Community Health Workers (CHWs) into the United States healthcare system. CHWs can aid patients in navigating the complex nature of medical services. Through focus groups with CHWs, three stages in the interprofessional relationships between CHWs and other care providers were identified.
  • Community Sociodemographics and Rural Hospital Survival
    Journal Article
    Center for Economic Analysis of Rural Health
    Date: 12/2022
    This study examines whether community sociodemographic factors are associated with the survival or closure of rural hospitals at risk of financial distress between 2010 and 2019.
  • Community Sociodemographics and Rural Hospital Survival Analysis
    Policy Brief
    Center for Economic Analysis of Rural Health
    Date: 01/2023
    This study examines which community sociodemographic characteristics are associated with increased risk of rural hospital closure between 2010-2019. Results show that rural hospitals at risk of financial distress are more likely to experience closure if their communities have higher unemployment and higher uninsurance for those under 65.
  • A Comparison of Evidence-Based Supports for Maternal and Infant Health in 133 Rural U.S. Counties With and Without Hospital-Based Obstetric Care
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 12/2022
    This infographic offers a comparative look at evidence-based supports available for maternal and infant health in rural counties with recently closed obstetric units (within the past 10 years) and those with hospital-based obstetric care at the time of the survey, in 2021.
  • Crowded Housing and Housing Cost Burden by Disability, Race, Ethnicity, and Rural-Urban Location
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 03/2023
    Housing is closely tied to health outcomes and well-being; however, little research examines housing factors by location. In this policy brief, we examine rates of crowded housing and housing cost burden by rural-urban location, as well as at the intersections of race, ethnicity, and disability status.
  • Demographics and Disability Status of Adults Living Alone in Rural Areas
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 04/2021
    This policy brief examines how the types of people who live alone differ between urban and rural areas, focusing on differences in age and disability status.
  • Diabetes and Forgone Medical Care Due to Cost in the U.S. (2011-2015): Individual-level and Place-Based Disparities
    Policy Brief
    Southwest Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 08/2017
    This brief is the first in a series prepared by the Southwest Rural Health Research Center on the topic of diabetes. The two aims of this study were to identify trends in diabetes rates and forgone medical care among persons with diabetes in the U.S. and to identify geographic determinants and other social determinants of health disparities.
  • Differences in Residential Stability by Rural/Urban Location and Socio-Demographic Characteristics
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 08/2023
    This policy brief identifies rural/urban differences in residential stability and examines rural/urban differences in regional, socio-demographic, and health characteristics associated with living in the same home for more than 20 years.
  • Disparities in Meeting USPSTF Breast, Cervical, and Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines Among Women in the United States
    Journal Article
    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 Effects of Rural Residence and Other Social Vulnerabilities on Subjective Measures of Unmet Need
    Journal Article
    North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
    Date: 2005
    Are self-reports of unmet need a biased measure of access to healthcare? We examined the relationship between rural residence and perceived need for physician services and the likelihood of reporting a need for routine preventive care and/or specialty care using data from the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs.
  • Eight Postpartum Support Programs in Rural Communities Across the United States
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 08/2023
    This case study series highlights locally focused organizations working to improve postpartum health for rural residents across the United States. Interviews were conducted with eight unique organizations working in their local rural communities to support postpartum health.
  • Evaluating the Rural HIV/AIDS Planning Program
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 01/2022
    The purpose of this policy brief is to understand the overall experiences of the first grantee cohort (2020-21) of the Rural HIV/AIDS Planning Program. We pay particular attention to any barriers to or facilitators of successful grant implementation, and the sustainability of programs and acquisition of future funding.
  • Examining the Association Between Rurality and Positive Childhood Experiences Among a National Sample
    Journal Article
    Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Date: 08/2022
    Using the full National Survey of Children's Health with all 50 states and the District of Columbia, this study examined rural-urban differences in positive childhood experiences.
  • Examples of Statewide Age-Friendly Initiatives
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 10/2021
    The purpose of these policy briefs is to identify the extent of statewide programs to support aging in place or age-friendly environments and, within those, to identify the extent to which such programs have an explicit rural focus. The "Examples" document provides an overview of the initiatives identified in the "Environmental Scan."
  • Gender Differences in Social Isolation and Social Support Among Rural Residents
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 08/2018
    This policy brief uses identifies gender differences in social isolation and social support among older rural residents and provides ways to reduce social isolation in rural communities.
  • Healthy People 2020: Rural Areas Lag in Achieving Targets for Major Causes of Death
    Journal Article
    Southwest Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 12/2019
    For the period 2007-2017 rural death rates were higher than urban rates for the seven major causes of death analyzed, and disparities widened for five of the seven. In 2017 urban areas had met national targets for three of the seven causes, while rural areas had met none of the targets.
  • Housing Quality by Disability, Race, Ethnicity, and Rural-Urban Location: Findings From the American Community Survey
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 07/2023
    In this policy brief, researchers examine rates of two key housing quality indicators (having incomplete plumbing and incomplete kitchen facilities) by rural-urban location, as well as at the intersections of racial/ethnic identity and disability status.
  • Improving Access to LGBTQIA+-Friendly Care in Rural Areas
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 06/2022
    The purpose of this case series is to highlight organizations doing exemplary work to improve access to and experiences of health care among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and asexual/agender (LGBTQIA+) individuals in rural communities across the U.S.
  • Indicators of Familial Social Support by Rurality and Gender Identity
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 03/2023
    Social and emotional support from family significantly contributes to positive health outcomes. Understanding how familial social support differs for those with overlapping marginalized identities is critical to advance population health and health equity. This brief examines differences in familial social support by rurality and gender identity.
  • Inequities in Availability of Evidence-Based Birth Supports to Improve Perinatal Health for Socially Vulnerable Rural Residents
    Journal Article
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 07/2022
    This study aimed to understand the availability of evidence-based supports and services that promote maternal and infant health, in the rural U.S. The study developed a national survey of a sample of rural hospitals and determined the county-level scores on the 2018 CDC Social Vulnerability Index for each responding hospital.
  • Intimate Partner Violence in Rural Communities: Perspectives from Key Informant Interviews
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 03/2024
    This policy brief describes findings from interviews with key informants from intimate partner violence (IPV) victim support and advocacy organizations, shedding light on distinct challenges faced by rural victims and survivors. It also highlights targeted opportunities for better supporting the health and safety of rural IPV victims and survivors.
  • Key Informant Perspectives on Rural Housing and Health
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 10/2023
    In this policy brief, using content analysis of interview data, researchers share rural-specific housing barriers, including those that are related to health, as well as policy recommendations for addressing housing challenges to improve rural health.
  • Key Informant Perspectives on Rural Social Isolation and Loneliness
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 10/2018
    This policy brief uses data from interviews with 22 key informants in 12 states, all of whom were experts on the issue of social isolation and/or rural health, to describe key challenges and opportunities related to rural social isolation.
  • Key Informant Perspectives on Supporting Health and Well-Being for LGBTQ+ Rural Residents
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 09/2022
    This policy brief presents findings from interviews with national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) support and advocacy organizations regarding challenges to physical and mental health and well-being for rural LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as recommendations to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals in rural areas.
  • Maniilaq Health Center: Providing High-Quality Obstetric Care to American Indian/Alaska Native People in Rural Kotzebue, Alaska
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 06/2023
    This case study highlights a hospital providing care to rural American Indian and Alaska Native patients within the state of Alaska. The study examines the maternity care context with attention to the intersection of race and geography with social determinants of health.
  • Multi-Sector Collaboration to Support Rural Aging
    Journal Article
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 08/2023
    In this paper, researchers examine the lessons rural areas present for supporting aging, including the role that aging and social services, public health systems, and health care have to play.
  • Non-Medical Opioid Use Among Rural and Urban Pregnant Women, 2007-2014
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 08/2018
    This policy brief presents data on rural-urban differences in non-medical opioid use among pregnant women to inform policy, programmatic, and clinical efforts to address this crisis.
  • Non-Urgent Use of Emergency Departments by Rural and Urban Adults
    Policy Brief
    Maine Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 04/2024
    This study provides updated information and addresses gaps in knowledge about rural non-urgent emergency department (ED) use. Understanding the rates of non-urgent ED use among rural adults and the factors associated with this use can inform policy and practice efforts to reduce inappropriate use of EDs in rural communities.
  • Partnerships to Address Social Needs Across Metropolitan and Non-Metropolitan Prospective Payment System Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals
    Policy Brief
    RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
    Date: 03/2024
    This policy brief used American Hospital Association survey data to examine partnerships between hospitals and external organizations to address social needs.
  • Practical Implications: Opioid-Affected Births to Rural Residents
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 09/2018
    This publication provides two physicians' reactions to research findings on rates of diagnosis of maternal opioid use disorder and infant neonatal abstinence syndrome at the time of childbirth for rural residents based on the type of hospital where the birth occurred.
  • Preferences for Long-Term Care Arrangements Among Rural and Urban Older Adults
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 05/2021
    This study describes care preferences by rural and urban location and by demographic characteristics among rural residents.
  • Prevalence of Chronic Conditions by Sexual Orientation and Rural-Urban Location
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 06/2022
    This policy brief examines rates of individual chronic conditions, as well as differences in the number of chronic conditions by sexual orientation and rural-urban location.
  • Preventive Health Service Use Among Rural Women
    Policy Brief
    Maine Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 04/2019
    This study used the National Health Interview Survey to examine differences in receipt of preventive health services among rural and urban women. It found that rural women are less likely to receive HPV vaccines and mammograms, even controlling for rural-urban sociodemographic and resource differences.
  • Providing High-Quality Support to Pregnant People and Their Families in Racially Diverse Rural Communities
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 08/2022
    The purpose of this case series is to highlight examples from racially diverse rural communities, where hospitals and health systems with obstetric units strive to meet patient needs and provide evidence-based, supportive services during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
  • Racial and Ethnic Differences in Self-Rated Health Among Rural Residents
    Journal Article
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 09/2020
    This study looks at racial and ethnic differences in self-rated health among rural residents as well as whether these differences can be explained by socio-demographic characteristics. Researchers used data from the 2011–2017 National Health Interview Survey to study differences in rural residents' self-rated health by race and ethnicity.
  • Racial Inequities in the Availability of Evidence-Based Supports for Maternal and Infant Health in 93 Rural U.S. Counties With Hospital-Based Obstetric Care
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 07/2022
    This policy brief examines racial disparities in rural maternal and infant health outcomes between majority-Black, Indigenous, and People of Color versus majority-white rural counties and examines the availability of maternal and infant health evidence-based supports.
  • Racial/Ethnic Differences in Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence and Postpartum Abuse Screening Among Rural U.S. Residents Who Gave Birth 2016-2020
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 03/2024
    The goal of this analysis is to describe intimate partner violence among rural U.S. residents who gave birth 2016-2020, with a focus on differences by race/ethnicity. Researchers also describe the frequency by which different racial/ethnic groups are not screened for abuse postpartum.
  • Rates of Living Alone by Rurality and Age
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 04/2020
    In this infographic, we identify rates of living alone for all adults and within specific age groups using two classifications of rurality.
  • Rural Children With 4+ Adverse Childhood Experiences Often Lack Positive Experiences
    Fact Sheet
    Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Date: 07/2022
    This research explored the proportion of rural children with adverse childhood experiences who lack positive childhood experience exposure.
  • Rural Community Organizations Building Inclusive Environments for LGBTQ+ Residents
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 06/2022
    The purpose of this case series is to highlight rural organizations doing exemplary work to build community among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/ questioning residents, and create a more inclusive environment in their communities.
  • Rural Counties With Majority Black or Indigenous Populations Suffer the Highest Rates of Premature Death in the U.S.
    Journal Article
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 12/2019
    Despite well-documented health disparities by rurality and race/ethnicity, research investigating racial/ethnic health differences among U.S. rural residents is limited. We used county-level data to measure and compare premature death rates in rural counties by each county's majority racial/ethnic group.
  • Rural Health Network Development Planning Grants: Geographic Location and Change Over Time
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 11/2021
    The purpose of this policy brief is to examine the geographic distribution of Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant recipients across the United States.
  • Rural Healthy People 2030: Common Challenges, Rural Nuances
    Policy Brief
    Southwest Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 05/2023
    This study analyzes the most important Healthy People 2030 priorities for rural America. Data collected from a survey found mental health, substance use, health care access, and economic stability were among the most important priorities. This information could be used to accelerate health improvements in rural America.
  • Rural Healthy People 2030: New Decade, New Challenges
    Journal Article
    Southwest Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 03/2023
    This study reports the findings of Rural Healthy People 2030, a companion piece to the Healthy People 2030 initiative with a focus on health priorities of rural populations. Data was collected from a survey given to rural stakeholders. Mental health, substance use, health care access, and economic stability were among the most important priorities.
  • Rural HIV Prevalence and Service Availability in the United States: A Chartbook
    Chartbook
    Maine Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 02/2021
    This chartbook examines 2016 HIV prevalence and the availability of HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services across the rural-urban continuum and by U.S. census region.
  • Rural School- and Community-Based Programs Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 02/2023
    The purpose of this case series is to highlight youth-focused and school- and community-based organizations that affirm and support LGBTQ+ individuals in their rural communities. These may serve as examples to others considering this work.
  • Rural Working-Age Adults Report More Cost Barriers to Health Care
    Policy Brief
    Maine Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 03/2023
    Using the 2019-2020 National Health Insurance Survey, this study examined rural-urban differences in affordability of care and cost-saving strategies among working-age adults.
  • Rural-Urban Differences Among Older Adults
    Chartbook
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 08/2020
    This chartbook presents the characteristics of older adults in rural counties, as well as rural-urban differences among older adults, across four domains: demographics, socioeconomic characteristics, healthcare access and use, and health characteristics.
  • Rural-Urban Differences in Hospital Payer Mix in 2017
    Fact Sheet
    Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Date: 11/2018
    This work revealed that rural hospitals heavily rely on Medicare.
  • Rural-Urban Differences in Housing Cost Burden Across the U.S.
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 03/2024
    Housing is closely tied to health and well-being, but affordable housing is out of reach for many households. This policy brief examines the proportion of households who are housing cost burdened by rural-urban location across different U.S. geographic spaces in order to identify how housing affordability varies by location.
  • Rural-Urban Differences in Risk Factors for Motor Vehicle Fatalities
    Journal Article
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 09/2018
    This study uses 2017 County Health Rankings data to run stratified regression models to estimate county-level correlates of motor vehicle fatalities (MVFs) by rural and urban location. We found that rural counties have higher rates of MVFs than urban counties (22 vs. 14 per 100,000, p<0.001).
  • Rural-Urban Differences in Workers' Access to Paid Sick Leave
    Journal Article
    Maine Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 02/2023
    The authors analyzed the prevalence of paid sick leave (PSL) among rural versus urban workers and found that rural workers had lower access to PSL than urban workers, even after adjusting for worker and employment characteristics, especially those who were Hispanic, lacked employer-sponsored insurance, and reported poorer health status.
  • Rural-Urban Residence and Maternal Hepatitis C Infection, U.S.: 2010-2018
    Journal Article
    Maine Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 02/2021
    This study uses data from the U.S. natality files to examine rural-urban differences in county-level rates of maternal infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) during 2010-2018. Findings can help inform implementation of community-level interventions to reduce maternal HCV infection and narrow rural-urban disparities.
  • Rural-Urban Residence and Mortality Among Three Cohorts of U.S. Adults
    Policy Brief
    Maine Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 05/2020
    Rural residents have a shorter life expectancy than urban residents. We analyzed national linked survey and death certificate data and found risk of death was 10% higher for rural than urban residents and has increased over time. Findings suggest the overall mortality penalty in rural areas may be partly driven by social determinants of health.
  • Rural/Urban Differences in Receipt of Governmental Rental Assistance: Relationship to Health and Disability
    Journal Article
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 10/2023
    Housing is a vital component of health, and governmental rental assistance is one avenue of increasing access to affordability. In this paper, researchers examined rural/urban and within-rural differences in receipt of governmental rental assistance, with a focus on differences by health and disability.
  • Self-Rated Health Among Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Adults: Rural/Urban Differences
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 07/2022
    Research has documented worse health outcomes and constrained access to care for lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults. Rural residents also experience persistent disparities in health and access to care. This policy brief examines differences in self-rated health by sexual orientation and rural/urban location.
  • Small-Town Pride Celebrations Supporting Social Connectedness & Well-Being for LGBTQ+ Rural Residents
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 06/2022
    The purpose of this case series is to highlight organizations in two states doing exemplary work to celebrate and affirm lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) individuals in their rural communities through Pride events. These may serve as examples to others considering this work.
  • Social and Emotional Support During the COVID-19 Pandemic by Sexual Orientation and Rurality
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 06/2022
    This brief identifies differences in social and emotional support and changes to that support during the COVID-19 pandemic by rurality and sexual orientation.
  • Social Cohesion and Social Engagement Among Older Adults Aging in Place: Rural/Urban Differences
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 01/2022
    This policy brief examines rural/urban differences in social cohesion and social engagement for older adults aging in place, as well as within-rural differences by race and ethnicity.
  • Social Determinants of Health Among Rural American Indian and Alaska Native Populations
    Policy Brief
    Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Date: 07/2019
    This policy brief is the third in a series of four policy briefs prepared by the Rural and Minority Health Research Center on the topic of social determinants of health. In this brief, we document current disparities within the rural American Indian and Alaska Native population.
  • Social Determinants of Health Among Rural Asian and Pacific Islander Populations
    Policy Brief
    Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Date: 07/2019
    This policy brief is the fourth in a series of four policy briefs prepared by the Rural and Minority Health Research Center on the topic of social determinants of health. In this brief, we document current disparities within the rural Asian and Pacific Islander population.
  • Social Determinants of Health Among the Rural African American Population
    Policy Brief
    Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Date: 07/2019
    This policy brief is the first in a series of four policy briefs prepared by the Rural and Minority Health Research Center on the topic of social determinants of health. It compares the distribution of social determinants among African American and White rural residents using information from the 2016 U.S. Census.
  • Social Determinants of Health Among the Rural Hispanic Population
    Policy Brief
    Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Date: 07/2019
    This policy brief is the second in a series of four policy briefs prepared by the Rural and Minority Health Research Center on the topic of social determinants of health. In this brief, we document current disparities within the rural Hispanic population. Gaps are larger for those who were born in the U.S. compared to those born outside the U.S.
  • Social Isolation and Safety Issues Among Rural Older Adults Living Alone: Perspectives of Meals on Wheels Programs
    Journal Article
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 05/2022
    In this article, we share results from a survey of 42 Meals on Wheels programs in rural areas across the US. Respondents highlighted challenges to meeting both social and safety needs of rural older adults living alone, as well as policy recommendations to improve the health and safety of older adults living alone in rural areas.
  • State Priorities and Needs: The Role of Block Grants
    Journal Article
    Rural Health Equity 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.
  • Statewide Age-Friendly Initiatives: An Environmental Scan
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 10/2021
    The purpose of these policy briefs is to identify the extent of statewide programs to support aging in place or age-friendly environments and, within those, to identify the extent to which such programs have an explicit rural focus. The "Examples" document provides an overview of the initiatives identified in the "Environmental Scan."
  • Substance Use Among Rural and Urban Youth and Young Adults
    Policy Brief
    Maine Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 11/2020
    This study uses national data to examine rural-urban differences in the rates of substance use among youth and young adults. Findings can help inform rural-specific prevention strategies and research targeting rural communities.
  • Suicide Rates and Risks Across U.S. Industries: A 29-Year Population-Based Survey
    Journal Article
    Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
    Date: 01/2024
    Combining 29 years of U.S. suicide data using the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)-Mortality Linked data from 1986 through 2014, with mortality follow-up through 2015, this study estimates suicide risks across industries in the U.S. working population.
  • Supporting the Health and Wellbeing of Middle-Aged Adults Living Alone in Rural Counties
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 06/2020
    This report shares insights from healthcare providers in 14 rural counties with the highest rates of middle-aged adults living alone in order to inform policy and practice in how best to support the health and well-being of this demographic.
  • Trends in Network Focus Areas Among Network Development Planning Grantees, 2003-2020
    Policy Brief
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 05/2021
    The purpose of this policy brief is to examine the trends over time in network focus areas among grantees awarded the Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant from 2003-2020.
  • Two National-Level Organizations Supporting Rural Postpartum Health Across the United States
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 07/2023
    The purpose of this case study series is to highlight national-level organizations working in innovative ways to improve postpartum health for rural residents across the United States. These may serve as examples to others considering this work.
  • Unmet Needs for Help With Mobility Limitations Among Older Adults Aging in Place: The Role of Rurality
    Journal Article
    University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 10/2023
    This study identifies differences in unmet mobility needs among older adults by rurality. It uses data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, limiting analyses to respondents who had not moved since baseline (average housing tenure of 27 years; n = 3343).
  • Use of the Area Deprivation Index and Rural Applications in the Peer-Reviewed Literature
    Policy Brief
    Rural Health Equity Research Center
    Date: 03/2024
    The Area Deprivation Index (ADI) was developed to capture area-level social deprivation for use in policy and research. In this literature review, researchers find that the use of the ADI in research is common.
  • Voices From the Field: A Qualitative Study of the Challenges and Promising Practices of Rural Public Health in Addressing HIV and Hepatitis C
    Journal Article
    Maine Rural Health Research Center
    Date: 05/2021
    Interviewing public health professionals from six rural states, researchers examined the challenges involving HIV, HCV, and serving rural people who inject drugs and determined strategies to address those challenges.