Rural Health
Research Gateway

Gabriel Benavidez, PhD, MPH

Rural and Minority Health Research Center

Email: gabriel_benavidez@baylor.edu

Public Health
Baylor University

Current Projects - (3)

  • Changes in Medicare Fee-for-Services Health Care Expenditures in Rural and Urban Communities after Passage of the Affordable Care Act
    This project will assess changes in Medicare per-beneficiary spending across rural and urban counties from 2007 to 2020. It will examine differences in rural versus urban per-beneficiary spending on hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient, physician, and post-acute care after the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
    Research center: Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Topics: Care management, Chronic diseases and conditions, Health disparities and health equity, Health services, Hospitals and clinics, Public health
  • Identifying High-Need Counties for Resource Planning
    The primary aim of this project is to use data examining health care infrastructure, chronic disease prevalence, and the socioeconomic environment to create a metric for classifying rural counties based on needs and resources.
    Research center: Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Diabetes, Health disparities and health equity, Healthcare access, Maternal health, Obesity, Oral health, Physicians, Poverty, Public health, Rural statistics and demographics, Social determinants of health, Uninsured and underinsured, Workforce
  • The Rural Landscape of Diabetes in the United States
    Rural-urban differences in diabetes and diabetes management may be attributed to socioeconomic differences and treatment available to rural residents. Using data from 2021-2023 National Health Interview Survey, this study will examine 1) rural-urban differences in diabetes and prediabetes incidence and prevalences, 2) rural-urban differences in the management, treatment, and complications associated with diabetes, and co-occurring risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Using data from the 2021 and 2022 CDC WONDER, we will also report diabetes mortality differences by rurality and race/ethnicity.
    Research center: Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Topics: American Indians and Alaska Natives, Diabetes, Healthcare access, Hispanics, Minority health, Rural statistics and demographics

Completed Projects - (2)

  • Availability of Diabetes Self-Management Education in High Need Rural Counties
    This project examined the degree to which counties with a high need for diabetes education, defined by high diabetes prevalence, have such education available. Findings were linked to a related study that examined the availability of dialysis for end stage renal disease, a severe outcome of poorly addressed diabetes.
    Research center: Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Topics: Diabetes, Health services
  • Examining Rural-Urban Differences in Availability of Hospital Cardiac Testing Services Between 2010-2020
    This project will examine whether the availability of hospital-based cardiac testing services has changed over the past ten years in rural and urban counties and identify the characteristics of counties where service availability has changed.
    Research center: Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Topics: Care management, Chronic diseases and conditions, Health disparities and health equity, Health services, Hospitals and clinics, Public health

Publications - (19)

2024

2023

2022

  • Availability of Hospital-Based Emergency Department and Trauma Services in Minoritized Racial/Ethnic Group Areas
    Policy Brief
    Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Date: 09/2022
    This brief is one of a series of findings briefs documenting disparities in geographic access to health services for ZIP code tabulation areas (ZCTAs) containing a high proportion of minoritized racial/ethnic residents. This report looks at the availability of hospital-based emergency department and trauma services at the ZCTA level.
  • Availability of Nursing Homes in Minoritized Racial/Ethnic Group Areas
    Policy Brief
    Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Date: 09/2022
    This brief is one of a series of findings briefs documenting disparities in geographic access to health services for ZIP code tabulation areas (ZCTAs) containing a high proportion of minoritized racial/ethnic residents. This report looks at the availability of nursing homes at the ZCTA level.
  • Availability of Substance Use Disorder Treatment in Minoritized Racial/Ethnic Group Areas
    Policy Brief
    Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Date: 09/2022
    This brief is one of a series of findings briefs documenting disparities in geographic access to health services for ZIP code tabulation areas (ZCTAs) containing a high proportion of minoritized racial/ethnic residents. This report looks at spatial availability and travel burden for substance use disorder care at the ZCTA level.
  • Availability of Home Health Services in Minoritized Racial/Ethnic Group Areas
    Policy Brief
    Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Date: 08/2022
    This brief is one of a series of findings briefs documenting disparities in geographic access to health services for ZIP code tabulation areas containing a high proportion of minoritized racial/ethnic residents. This report looks at the availability of home health services in minoritized racial/ethnic areas.
  • Availability of Medicare-Certified Hospice Services in Minoritized Racial/Ethnic Group Areas
    Policy Brief
    Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Date: 08/2022
    This is one of a series of briefs documenting disparities in geographic access to health services for ZIP code tabulation areas containing a high proportion of minoritized racial/ethnic residents. This brief explores access to hospice services.
  • Availability of Pharmacies in Minoritized Racial/Ethnic Areas
    Policy Brief
    Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Date: 08/2022
    This brief is one of a series of findings briefs documenting disparities in geographic access to health services for ZIP code tabulation areas containing a high proportion of minoritized racial/ethnic residents. This report looks at access to pharmacies.
  • Spatial Access to Hospital-based Obstetric Units in Minoritized Racial/Ethnic Areas
    Policy Brief
    Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Date: 08/2022
    This brief is one of a series of findings briefs documenting disparities in geographic access to health services for ZIP code tabulation areas containing a high proportion of minoritized racial/ethnic residents. This report looks at spatial access to hospital-based obstetric units in minoritized racial/ethnic areas.
  • Colorectal and Cervical Cancer Prevention in Rural Health Clinics in South Carolina
    Fact Sheet
    Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Date: 02/2022
    This study investigated the perceptions and practices of cervical and colorectal cancer prevention in Rural Health Clinics. An online survey was administered to all Rural Health Clinics in South Carolina. Quantitative survey findings and key takeaways were reported.
  • Perceptions and Practices for Colorectal and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control in Rural Health Clinics in South Carolina
    Fact Sheet
    Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Date: 02/2022
    This study investigated the perceptions and practices for colorectal and cervical cancer prevention and control in Rural Health Clinics in South Carolina. Health practitioner interviews were used to gather qualitative data.
  • The Problem of the Color Line: Place, Race, and Access to Health Care in America
    Journal Article
    Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Date: 02/2022
    Using ZIP Code Tabulation Area boundaries and associated rural-urban commuting area codes, urban and rural places with the largest share of minoritized racial and ethnic groups were identified. A StoryMap was then created to illustrate disparities experienced based on where Indigenous populations and people of color reside spatially.

2021