Articles tagged with Rural Populations
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.
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 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.
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 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 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 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.
A new study found that peer-coaching is effective in controlling high blood pressure, particularly among younger Black patients. Participants under 60 who received peer coaching experienced a medically significant reduction in systolic blood pressure compared to those receiving enhanced usual care. The study also showed promise for pra...
The study found that patient outcomes for six critical conditions worsened at urban hospitals, while rural hospitals experienced smaller declines, highlighting the need for tailored strategies to reduce excess deaths in future crises.
Research shows elderly patients in rural areas have higher mortality rates when discharged under pressure, particularly in municipalities with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants. The study highlights the need for better municipal services and care facilities to address the aging crisis in Norway.
A new study warns that rural pupils in England are facing underachievement in education due to socioeconomic factors. Despite better exam results, rural pupils from disadvantaged homes perform worse than urban pupils from similar backgrounds.
Researchers found that individuals who engaged in home and wild food production (HWFP) activities exhibited improved food security 9-12 months later. Those who were newly food insecure during the pandemic seemed to be the best at recovering from food insecurity with HWFP.
A recent study by ICTA-UAB found that many societies with very low monetary income have remarkably high levels of life satisfaction, comparable to those in wealthy countries. The average life satisfaction score across the studied small-scale societies was 6.8 on a scale of 0-10.
A large-scale study found exposure to low and high biothermal stress during pregnancy linked to a higher risk of babies being born too small or large for their gestational ages. The study also identified specific subpopulations at higher risk, including non-Caucasian people and those aged 35 and above.
A study of 13,000 patients reveals few completed preoperative life-sustaining treatment documentation, with gaps in rates based on patient characteristics. The disparity affects veterans from different racial, ethnic, and rural backgrounds, as well as those with access to high-volume facilities.
The UofL School of Nursing will develop an accelerated LPN-to-BSN pathway and increase nurse practitioner diversity to address Kentucky's healthcare shortage. The grants will support scholarships for up to 83 students and collaborate with health systems across the state.
Researchers aim to determine optimal duration and intensity of behavioral interventions for childhood obesity among rural and minority children. The five-year study, funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, will enroll 900 parent-child pairs and compare different 'dosing' combinations of face-to-face intervention time.
Surgeon supply per 100,000 population decreased in rural counties and increased in urban counties between 2010 and 2020. The study found widening disparities between general surgeons, with rural and socially vulnerable counties experiencing significant shortages.
A study found that rural festival volunteers are motivated by a sense of belonging and psychological ownership, leading to increased community involvement and support. Researchers recommend engaging volunteers through social events and decision-making opportunities.
A new study from the University of Exeter emphasizes the importance of shared community spaces in addressing gentrification and its effects on rural communities. Dr. Joanie Willett's research found that these spaces can foster relationships, knowledge-sharing, and community action to adapt to changing futures.
A phase 2 trial found that durvalumab is safe and may benefit overall survival in non-small cell lung cancer patients with borderline performance status. The study also showed stable quality of life and a lower incidence of severe treatment-related adverse events compared to platinum doublet chemotherapy.
A nationwide study found that nearly half of people who use illicit drugs in rural areas have been recently incarcerated. The study suggests that expanding addiction treatment to individuals while they're incarcerated could benefit communities overall by reducing overdose rates and improving rehabilitation outcomes.
Researchers found that drones could improve access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs), a portable device for treating out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. The simulation model suggests that drone delivery systems could reduce response times in urban and rural areas, with greater improvements expected in rural areas.
A recent study has found that transgender adults living in rural areas of the US are more likely to have cardiovascular disease risk factors such as tobacco use, obesity, and high blood pressure. The research highlights the need for targeted interventions to reduce health disparities among this population.
Dr. Olugbenga Ogedegbe has been recognized for his pioneering research on health disparities, chronic diseases, and cardiovascular risk reduction, particularly among Black adults in the US. His work aims to reduce hypertension control and racial inequities in cardiovascular disease outcomes.
Researchers documented a steady increase in cervical cancer incidence and death rates in Appalachian Kentucky from 2000 to 2019. The region's cervical cancer death rate is now twice the national average, with distant-stage cancers increasing by 5.5% per year.
A study by Michał Gulczyński reveals a strong relationship between population density and sex ratios, indicating imbalanced marriage markets in rural areas. The researcher found that men tend to outnumber women in rural areas due to gender-specific migration patterns.
The University of Louisville is increasing training for medical students in rural communities and West Louisville to prepare them for primary care careers. The grant will enhance programs that attract and train physicians to practice in medically underserved regions.
A large public health survey in rural South Africa found that approximately half of people living with HIV, diabetes or hypertension have unmet health needs. The study's novel framework quantifies met and unmet health needs for individuals living with infectious and non-communicable diseases.
The grant aims to recruit, enroll, educate, and graduate undergraduate students from minority backgrounds and increase faculty diversity. By enhancing curricula with student support services and collaborative partnerships, the program seeks to reduce health disparities and provide culturally aligned care.
A recent study found a three-fold increase in obesity-related heart disease deaths in the US between 1999 and 2020. The study highlights racial disparities, particularly among Black women, who faced the highest rates of obesity-related cardiovascular mortality.
The ARA Wireless Living Lab is deploying a network of equipment across Iowa to test its performance in various applications, including precision agriculture and rural education. The goal is to eventually improve wireless service to rural residents and communities, enabling a 'Broadband Prairie' that connects rural areas.
Researchers have been awarded $600K each to lead projects improving healthcare access for underserved populations, including Black women and rural/minority communities. These projects will use innovative strategies such as at-home blood pressure monitoring and telemedicine-assisted testing to address health disparities.
Patients with cancer who live in rural Pennsylvania counties are more likely to receive complex surgeries at high-volume hospitals due to their perceived better outcomes. However, for less complex surgeries, rural patients are less likely to opt for high-volume hospitals despite potential benefits from centralization.
A study of over 10,000 rural Pennsylvania children found that many received high-sodium meats, salty snacks, and sugary treats before age 2. Early exposure to these unhealthy foods can shape taste preferences and lead to long-term health issues.
A new study found that rural areas experienced higher excess deaths during the second year of the pandemic, despite vaccines being widely available in urban areas. The study highlights the role of healthcare inequities, vaccine skepticism, and partisanship in exacerbating mortality rates in rural communities.
LSU Health New Orleans' School of Nursing has been awarded $2.6 million by the Health Resources and Services Administration to increase nurse practitioners and midwives trained for underrepresented populations, particularly in rural areas. The funding will also enhance curriculum and provide tuition support.
A new study reveals that mobile phone data can be skewed towards more accessible populations, leading to misleading predictions and ineffective outbreak responses. Researchers urge acknowledging and measuring bias in all types of data to ensure accurate public health decisions.