Articles tagged with Rural Populations
A study of over 32,000 people in rural India found scrub typhus infection affects up to 10% annually, leading to hospitalisations due to severe fever symptoms. The researchers highlight the need for improved diagnostic capabilities and community awareness to reduce unnecessary hospitalisations and fatal cases.
Researchers at West Virginia University found that babies born to teen mothers weigh less and are smaller for their gestational age. The study highlights the role of social, geographical, and educational factors in teen pregnancy prevention.
A Danish study found that rural cat owners are increasingly managing their cats similarly to urban owners, leading to fewer unwanted kittens. The change reflects a growing human attachment to owned cats and a diminishing divide between rural and urban life.
A study found significant racial disparities in who received same-day diagnostic services and biopsies after abnormal mammogram findings, with Black women being less likely to receive same-day biopsies. Rural-resident patients were more likely to receive same-day diagnostic services than urban residents.
The percentage of rural patients traveling over 60 minutes to obtain surgical care significantly increased between 2010 and 2020. This disparity persists due to factors like rural hospital closures and workforce shortages, contributing to growing healthcare access issues for these patients.
A recent study found that telehealth is closing the care gap for people with substance use disorder in rural areas, but those covered by Medicaid managed care have lower access to this treatment. Rural individuals experienced the greatest overall increase in substance use disorder treatment among all populations studied.
A study by the University of Tokyo reveals that fine particulate pollution PM2.5 exacerbates pre-existing conditions in elderly populations, leading to higher hospitalization rates and premature mortality, with significant socioeconomic challenges for rural regions with limited medical resources.
A study found clear differences in brain health between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White older adults, with Hispanic participants scoring lower on tests of memory, attention, and problem-solving despite similar mental health. Researchers emphasize the importance of considering social, economic, and cultural factors when developing progr...
Researchers identified inequities related to race and rurality in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and adverse outcomes. Structural racism and disinvestment in rural communities may be linked to individual HAI risk and post-HAI outcomes.
A combination of ecological restoration, economic initiatives, and political stability has led to a 30% increase in India's tiger population over the past two decades. The country's unique approach to coexistence between humans and predators involves protected reserves and multi-use landscapes where tigers and people share space.
The University of Arizona Health Sciences has been awarded a $3.9 million grant to address the shortage of primary care physicians in underserved communities in Arizona. The program aims to create more primary care and rural health admissions tracks and expand clinical experiences, ultimately increasing primary care residency matches.
A $16 million NIH program aims to identify barriers to equitable healthcare for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The research initiative will examine the relationships between healthcare providers and patients, focusing on provider-patient racial concordance and its impact on health outcomes.
A recent study found that nearly two-fifths of women aged 40-49 did not receive biennial mammography screening, highlighting significant gaps in early detection. To optimize breast cancer detection, ensuring equitable adherence to U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations is crucial.
A national study found that walkable neighborhoods increase walking by 23% due to factors like density of people, roads, and amenities. Living in a walkable area also reduces the chance of no transit use, while vigorous exercise is not necessarily linked to neighborhood walkability.
A series of five papers highlights critical public health challenges related to cancer control in eight SAARC countries and the Rohingya refugee population in Bangladesh. The studies identify barriers contributing to significant disparities in cancer outcomes and actionable solutions to address these challenges.
A new study shows that mailing at-home fecal immunochemical testing kits and providing coordinated follow-up led to a tripling of screening completion rates compared to usual care. The intervention increased screening rates by 30% within six months and 34.6% by 12 months.
Life expectancy in the USA varies by more than 20 years depending on an individual's race and ethnicity and where they live. Researchers found that marginalized groups already had lower life expectancy, and the pandemic further increased the gap.
The Tennessee RiverLine initiative has been awarded a $500,000 Area Development grant to support the development of comprehensive Planning and Design Standards. These standards will help accelerate investments in river access amenities, outdoor recreation infrastructure, and community connectivity across the Tennessee River valley.
Cardiovascular disease death rates increased by 21% for adults aged 25-64 living in rural areas, while urban adults saw a 9% decline between 2010 and 2022. Younger rural adults are particularly vulnerable to cardiovascular mortality due to worsening cardiometabolic health and reduced healthcare access.
The We-ID project aims to understand the conditions for resilient democratic communities and develop practical recommendations for local stakeholders. Researchers will analyze the effects of migration on host communities and explore strategies to utilize the potential of a diverse population.
Dr. Gergana Daskalova's research explores biodiversity change amidst disappearing human traditions and changing socio-economics, shedding light on interactions between humans and nature. Her five-year fellowship project investigates the ecological and human fingerprints of land abandonment, focusing on Bulgaria's depopulating trend.
A nationwide coyote survey reveals that human hunting practices may increase, rather than reduce, local coyote numbers. Coyotes are found to be most abundant in grasslands and agricultural landscapes.
Researchers are using historical, qualitative, and statistical methods to investigate the needs of over 70 million people in the US who self-identify as having a disability. The study aims to measure specific dimensions of structural ableism and create ways to address its impact on healthcare disparities.
The TTUHSC team will conduct a needs assessment and create an action plan to strengthen clinical and community-based research, guided by strategic translational research themes. The goal is to address health disparities in the region through community-based participatory research.
Researchers analyzed 17 cases of land degradation reversal across 13 African countries, finding that strong social arrangements and aligned incentives are key to success. Successful interventions often involve local coalitions, external support, and long-term resilience.
The Appalachian Region's mortality rate from diseases of despair decreased by 4% between 2021 and 2022, while remaining virtually unchanged outside of Appalachia. However, the region still experiences higher rates of mortality from these diseases across all age groups, particularly among those in their prime working years.
A new study analyzed climate factors' impact on internal migration, revealing regions prone to drought-induced migration, such as Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. The research highlights the need for policies addressing drivers of migration and consequences for destination regions.
The American Heart Association has committed $4.7 million to strengthen stroke care in Minnesota and $5.05 million in South Dakota through the Mission: Lifeline initiative. This will improve access to timely and effective treatments for stroke patients, especially those in rural areas.
A new study finds that rural men can expect to live two years less than their urban counterparts by age 60, and spend fewer years in good health. The urban-rural gap in life expectancy and health quality has nearly tripled over two decades due to higher rates of smoking, obesity, and cardiovascular conditions.
Children with medical complexity from rural areas are more likely to receive care at non-pediatric hospitals. The study emphasizes the importance of ensuring all hospitals can provide adequate care for these patients.
A new $4 million grant aims to test auricular point acupressure as a treatment for chronic pain in rural populations. The project, led by UTHealth Houston and USC, will use a smartphone app to guide patients through self-administered ear stimulation.
This study found that certain social determinants of health affect monitoring for diabetic retinopathy differently for Black and white patients with diabetes. Patients living in rural communities, including Black patients with preexisting diabetic retinopathy, are not receiving eye care in accordance with clinical practice guidelines.
East Tennessee State University has been awarded $2.8 million to continue its Rural Health Equity Research Center for four more years. The center will conduct studies exploring rural health inequities, focusing on access to healthcare and behavioral health services. This funding is critical for the research and reflects the impact it h...
A new study found that rural regions in Ontario have significantly higher rates of eating disorders among adolescents and young adults. The researchers suggest that stigma and socio-cultural dynamics may contribute to these disparities, highlighting the need for targeted interventions such as telehealth services.
The Arizona Center for Rural Health has been awarded two $4.4 million HRSA grants to improve health services in rural communities. The grants will support Critical Access Hospitals and EMS providers through training programs, data collection, and operational improvements.
A new study by Richard Boylan found that geographic disparities in US homicide rates have decreased since the 1970s, contradicting expectations. Economic and social inequalities between regions have grown, but violent crime rates have fallen, with possible explanations including improved policing and incarceration rates.
A new risk prediction scale specifically for American Indian adults found elevated heart failure rates compared to other population groups. The analysis identified Type 2 diabetes status, kidney damage, and high blood pressure as major modifiable determinants of developing heart failure over 5-10 years.
A new study found that 45% of police shootings occurred in rural zip codes and 22% in suburban areas from 2015-2020. The study also revealed racial disparities in injury rates across urban-rural continuum, with Black and Native American residents disproportionately affected.
A new economic model called socio-bioeconomy (SBE) aims to protect the Amazon by supporting indigenous and rural communities, and standing forests. SBEs focus on sustainable use and restoration of ecosystems, eco-friendly tourism, and community-led development.
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated ongoing declines in longitudinal continuity of care within English general practices, according to a recent study. Factors linked to greater appointment availability predicted slower declines in continuity levels.
A new University of Georgia study reveals that one in five US farmers report binge drinking when they experience high levels of stress. The survey also found that farmers consume alcohol at similar rates as the general public, but those who reported feeling supported by community resources were less likely to drink excessively.
Rural residents with head and neck cancer experience higher mortality rates due to factors like alcohol use, tobacco consumption, and lower HPV vaccination rates. This disparity widens the rural-urban mortality gap.
A new FAO-led study has mapped city-region networks globally, showcasing the vital role of intermediate cities in providing essential services. The research highlights how three times more people live within one hour of smaller urban centers with populations under one million compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Past-year Papanicolaou testing rates dropped in 2022 compared to 2019, highlighting the need to increase access to screenings. Rural-vs-urban differences indicate a focus on rural females requires attention.
A cohort study found that neighborhood deprivation is associated with increased breast cancer mortality in non-Hispanic white women, but not in non-Hispanic Black women. Factors beyond those explored may contribute to the disparity in breast cancer mortality among Black women.
Household wealth is strongly associated with food security, with higher relative wealth households experiencing less probability of falling into food insecurity. Assets help preserve human capital by reducing costly coping strategies like dietary modification and spending reductions. Eradicating poverty and inequality is key to reducin...
Researchers from Flinders University tested on-site pathology testing and found it to be equivalent to laboratory tests in terms of quality and accuracy. The study was conducted across 100 remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia.
A new research project showed that mobile vaccination teams are an effective way to increase vaccination uptake in remote areas of Sierra Leone. Immunization rates increased by up to 26% in trial villages, and the cost was about $33 per person, making it a cost-effective intervention.
A study found that households with traditional dirt floors and animals indoors have higher human flea populations, increasing disease risk. Upgrading flooring to concrete or board can help reduce flea infestations and improve quality of life.
Researchers found better-than-expected life expectancy in two disadvantaged English areas, which is likely due to population changes. Local residents and professionals attribute the gains to factors such as increased housing affordability and town centre improvements, despite rising costs for existing populations.
A University of California, Riverside study found that communities in unincorporated areas lack basic critical infrastructure, including healthcare access. Caregivers perceive U.S.-based physicians as not providing sufficient information, while Mexican-based physicians are seen as offering better care.
The innovative Integrated Virtual Care (IVC) program successfully connected residents with family physicians in Renfrew County, addressing the rural shortage of primary care providers. Over 2,800 unique patient appointments were conducted, with 70% done virtually, offering comprehensive team-based primary care.
A new study found that affordable solar panels are being used in rural Ethiopian villages, offering a healthy alternative to kerosene lamps and supporting education. However, uncertified panels break easily and lack maintenance support, creating environmental pollution.
Researchers created a new approach to understanding peri-urban regions, where urban and rural characteristics blend, to improve urban planning and people's lives across the Global South. The 'peri-urban turn' uses Causal Loop Diagrams to map connections between health, place, demographics, governance, and economy.
A telephone-based strategy improved guideline-directed medical therapy rates for outpatients with heart failure by 30 days, offering a low-cost solution for rural settings with limited access to care. This study suggests the potential for expanded remote healthcare initiatives to address health disparities.
The WVU Institute for Community and Rural Health is leading a five-year, $8.5 million cooperative agreement grant to support underserved farmers in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina. The project aims to increase agricultural production, provide working capital, and create farm-to-institution markets.
A new study reveals that home-based palliative care pharmacists can improve medication management and enhance communication between patients and their treating teams. This model of care has been proven successful in rural areas, providing relief and comfort to patients, carers, and family members.
A study by Washington State University researchers found that people living outside urban areas and those of Native American and Hispanic descent face longer travel distances to see neurologists. This can result in delayed diagnoses, higher costs, and reduced quality of life for dementia patients.
A new commentary from Boston University School of Public Health emphasizes the need to address digital redlining, which disproportionately affects people of color, low-income communities, and rural populations. The authors propose standardizing social determinants of health screenings to include questions about broadband access.
A new policy analysis from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute identifies the intensive care crisis in rural America and proposes comprehensive solutions. The study suggests policies like reducing uninsured populations through ACA Medicaid expansion and increasing healthcare workforce can strengthen rural intensive care capacity.