Articles tagged with Rural Populations
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers warn that exploding wild pig and macaque populations in Southeast Asia pose significant zoonotic disease risks to humans. The study, led by the University of Queensland, found that these animals can carry diseases that can be transmitted to people, highlighting the need for urgent management solutions.
A randomized controlled trial found that time-restricted eating produced similar weight loss results to traditional calorie counting in a racially diverse population of adults with obesity. Participants who engaged in 8-hour time-restricted eating had improved insulin sensitivity compared to those in the control group.
A recent study published in Science of the Total Environment found a scarcity of studies on microbial and chemical drinking water contamination in Appalachia and associated health outcomes. Only 85 publications met the criteria, with many gaps remaining to be filled.
New research found that social infrastructure in rural communities can provide essential support to older, non-white adults. This study highlights the importance of community spaces in promoting healthy aging among Black and Hispanic older adults, who are disproportionately affected by loneliness and mental health issues.
Decentralized trials aim to improve access to clinical research, but disparities in technology access and potential barriers to trust remain unknown. Rigorous randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate the impact of decentralized trials on trial enrollment and pipeline aspects.
Increasing physical activity, particularly daily 20-minute walks, can improve cardiovascular health and reduce disparities in heart health. Despite this, only one in four American adults meet the recommended physical activity levels, with certain groups facing additional barriers to accessibility.
A recent French study reveals lesbian and bisexual women have worse cardiovascular health scores than heterosexual women, while gay and bisexual men tend to have better scores. Rural-residing sexual minority men also experience poorer cardiovascular health compared to heterosexual men.
A study published in Nature Sustainability predicts the number of farms worldwide will drop from 616 million in 2020 to 272 million in 2100. This decline is linked to a doubling in farm size as people migrate to urban areas, threatening biodiversity and food supply.
As rural populations decline, abandoned lands hold promise for rewilding and biodiversity recovery. However, land abandonment can also have negative impacts on local ecosystems and human culture. The authors highlight the need to balance economic needs with restoration and conservation goals.