Rural Health
Research Gateway

Rural Health Equity Research Center

Completed Projects

Listed by project completion date. You can also view these projects alphabetically.

2024

  • Assessment of the Area Deprivation Index in Rural Areas
    The Area Deprivation Index (ADI) was created by University of Wisconsin researchers to provide a score for neighborhoods based on their level of disadvantage. This study characterized differences in ADI in rural vs urban areas, summarized the existing literature on ADI, and described expert considerations for utilizing the ADI for future policy.
    Topics: Frontier health, Health disparities and health equity, Poverty, Rural statistics and demographics, Social determinants of health
  • Rural-Urban Analysis of Persistent Health Professional Shortage Areas
    The study described rural-urban differences in persistent Health Professional Shortage Area designations for primary care, mental health, and dental care between 2010 and 2020, including those located in persistent poverty and majority minority counties.
    Topics: Healthcare access, Mental and behavioral health, Oral health, Workforce

2023

  • Examining the Burden of Public Stigma Associated with Mental Illness in the Rural U.S.
    This project quantitatively examined the burden of public stigma associated with mental illness in rural versus nonrural communities using a nationally representative panel-based survey. Findings inform strategies aimed at reducing stigma and improving the lives of those experiencing mental illness in rural communities.
    Topics: Health services, Mental and behavioral health
  • Following the Money: Do Block Grant Resources Reach Rural Communities?
    This project applied a mixed methods design to describe the distribution of block grant resources from federal agencies through states to the local level in rural and non-rural communities in the United States. Findings could guide federal agencies and policy makers to develop strategies to more effectively target block grant resources to ensure that the needs of vulnerable rural populations are addressed.
    Topics: Health services, Healthcare financing, Public health, Rural statistics and demographics
  • Inpatient Treatment Costs Associated with Substance Use Disorders
    The purposes of this project were to examine the costs and characteristics of inpatient stays associated with substance use disorders and to examine whether there are systematic differences in these stays and costs for persons residing in rural areas compared to urban areas.
    Topics: Health disparities and health equity, Healthcare access, Healthcare financing, Mental and behavioral health, Substance use and treatment