DALLAS, June 23, 2023 — People who live in rural areas of the U.S. are 40% more likely to develop heart disease and have a 30% higher risk of stroke than people who live in urban areas, according to data reported in the 2020 Call to Action: Rural Health: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association . At least 20% of the U.S. population live in rural areas and these people face unique health challenges related to individual risk factors, social determinants of health and lack of access to health care. To address this issue, the American Heart Association, the world's leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, is funding a new $20 million scientific research initiative comprised of a network of special projects focused on advancing the understanding of the factors that impact health in rural America.
The Health Equity Research Network on Improving Access to Care and other Health Inequities in Rural America is part of the multi-pronged approach of the American Heart Association’s ongoing work to improve health in rural America . Teams of scientists from Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio; Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina; Oregon Health & Science University in Portland; VA Palo Alto Health Care System in Palo Alto, Calif.; and the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle will lead the community engaged research projects. The University of Washington will also serve as the coordinating center for the network, leveraging expertise across network sites and nationally, to help train the next generation of rural health equity researchers, providing consultation and guidance, compiling data reports and coordinating the administration of the initiative.
“Along with higher rates of heart disease and stroke, people living in rural areas of the U.S. have a 20% higher death rate than people in metropolitan and urban areas and rural Americans live an average of three years fewer than their urban counterparts,” said American Heart Association 2022-23 volunteer president Michelle A. Albert, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA, who is the Walter A Haas-Lucie Stern Endowed Chair and professor of medicine, director of the CeNter for the StUdy of AdveRsiTy and CardiovascUlaR DiseasE (NURTURE Center) and associate dean of admissions at the University of California, San Francisco. “Rural populations have higher levels of obesity, diabetes and hypertension and higher rates of tobacco use – all factors that negatively impact heart and brain health. They have also been plagued by increasing prevalence of substance use disorders associated with opioids and methamphetamines. All of these risk factors contribute to poor health. In addition, higher rates of poverty, lower levels of education, lack of public transportation and shortages of health care facilities and providers contribute to the unique obstacles rural communities face in achieving good health. This new research initiative will explore innovative ways to address these challenges, as well as determine how tried-and-true methods can be used to make meaningful change.”
Reciprocal Innovations to Improve Cardiovascular Care in Rural America (Rural PRO-CARE) is the name of the overarching research network. The coordinating center will be managed by a team from the University of Washington School of Medicine, led by Chris Longenecker, M.D., FAHA, an associate professor of medicine and director of the university’s Global Cardiovascular Health Program. Key activities of the coordinating center will include communication and reporting, scientific and regulatory oversight with the assistance of an expert advisory board, organizing annual meetings and providing a coordinated training curriculum for fellows across the network. The center team will also support collaborative efforts among the five project sites in developing and testing technology-based implementation strategies to promote uptake of evidence-based interventions within local rural practice in the U.S. Drawing on expertise in health policy and workforce development, the center team will help bring research findings to more widespread practice by disseminating policy briefs to policymakers and by conducting workforce training events for allied health professionals.
The five targeted research projects, which begin on July 1 and run for four years, include:
The Health Equity Research Network on Rural Health is the third health equity research network funded by the Association. The Health Equity Research Network on Disparities in Maternal-Infant Health Outcomes launched in July 2022 to focus on advancing the understanding of the factors underlying the disproportionate impact of pregnancy complications and deaths women of color, The Health Equity Research Network on the Prevention of Hypertension launched in July 2021 with research projects focusing on hypertension prevention in underserved populations.
The American Heart Association has funded more than $5 billion in cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and brain health research since 1949, making it the single largest non-government supporter of heart and brain health research in the U.S. New knowledge resulting from this funding benefits millions of lives in every corner of the U.S. and around the world.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org , Facebook , Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
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