Extending Work on Rural Health Disparities: A Commentary on Matthews and Colleagues’ Report

Transitory and Enduring Disability Among Urban and Rural People

“…In conclusion, this article provides another piece of the emerging picture in relation to recent research on mortality and health disparities, particularly in rural places. Although primarily descriptive, it reminds us to continue to pay attention to gender and racial disparities.…”

“…Although necessary to examine these intersectional disparities across geography, our use of a dichotomous rural‐urban measure was not ideal. Future research and data collection should enable the use of more nuanced measures of place . Additionally, because of the limitations of this data in terms of how disability is measured, what variables are available, and in assessing how rural matters in disability, we were limited in how we could interpret these findings and were not able to include additional variables related to other social determinants of health such as access to health care or health insurance status.…”

An Overview of the National Cancer Institute's Initiatives to Accelerate Rural Cancer Control Research

“…Other studies have also shown that there are significant rural-urban differences in cancer incidence and mortality rates in the United States for certain cancer types, exemplifying the disparities in cancer prevention and control between rural and urban populations (3). Not only do people living in rural areas experience challenges to accessing health care services (4,5), but also have higher rates of risky health behaviors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, poor diet, and lower adherence to cancer screening and human papillomavirus vaccination (5)(6)(7)(8), placing them at an elevated risk of preventable and screenable cancers (1,9,10). To better understand and improve cancer control in rural communities across the continuum (prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, end-of-life), the NCI conducted an assessment of the current state of research through a progressive series of portfolio analyses, meetings, and funding opportunity announcements.…”

Social Determinants of Health and the Effects on Quality of Life and Well-being in 2 Rural Appalachia Communities

“…7 In further exploring geographic location and its role in elucidating and potentially exacerbating common social determinants of health, in recent years, it has been shown that there are vast differences in health outcomes and access to health resources when comparing urban and rural settings. [20][21][22] A 2015 study found that the most significant health challenges facing rural America includes access to health care, nutrition and weight status, diabetes, mental health/disorders, substance abuse, cardiovascular disease, physical inactivity, and older adult health. 23 This is especially relevant and concerning due to the fact that 75% of the US counties, or more than 90% of the landmass, have been deemed rural.…”