Megan Lahr, MPH

Phone: 612.624.3921
Email: lahrx074@umn.edu

Division of Health Policy and Management
University of Minnesota
2221 University Ave. SE #350
Minneapolis, MN 55414

Current Projects - (2)

Addressing Elder Abuse in Rural Areas
Elder abuse, including financial, physical, and emotional abuse, as well as self-neglect, is widespread and impacts individual and population health outcomes. However, despite the fact that rural residents are older, in poorer health, and more financially vulnerable, little is known about rural/urban differences in the prevalence of and resources to address elder abuse; this project will address those gaps.
Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Aging, Disabilities, Social determinants of health, Violence and abuse
Improving Health for "Homebound" Older Adults in Rural and Urban Areas
This project will describe rural-urban differences in the risk of, and characteristics associated with, being classified as "homebound." We will also identify policy and programmatic interventions to reduce the risk of becoming homebound as well as to improve outcomes for those who are homebound.
Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Aging, Disabilities, Home health, Rural statistics and demographics, Social determinants of health

Aging in Place in Rural America: What Does It Look Like and How Can It Be Supported?
In general, people want to age in place. This project looked at the structures in place to help them do so and how those structures vary by rurality. Federal, state, and local policy implications for improving health outcomes and quality of life for rural older adults aging in place were also be identified.
Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Aging, Disabilities, Healthcare access, Home health, Long-term care, Social determinants of health
Housing as a Social Determinant of Rural Health
The purpose of this project was to identify rural/urban and within-rural differences in housing quality and its relationship to health and disability status, especially for individuals living in poverty. We also identified rural-specific housing issues and innovative policy solutions to address housing challenges in order to improve rural health.
Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Disabilities, Environmental and agricultural health, Poverty, Public health, Rural statistics and demographics, Social determinants of health

Unmet Needs for Help With Mobility Limitations Among Older Adults Aging in Place: The Role of Rurality
Journal Article
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 10/2023
This study identifies differences in unmet mobility needs among older adults by rurality. It uses data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, limiting analyses to respondents who had not moved since baseline (average housing tenure of 27 years; n = 3343).
Multi-Sector Collaboration to Support Rural Aging
Journal Article
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 08/2023
In this paper, researchers examine the lessons rural areas present for supporting aging, including the role that aging and social services, public health systems, and health care have to play.
Advancing the Age-Friendly Movement in Rural Communities
Journal Article
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 02/2023
The research team looked at the role of Aging Life Care Managers® to help support the age-friendly movement in rural areas. The team explored ways in which Aging Life Care Managers® could advocate for the needs and interests of their clients, help them access care and support, and involve rural communities in the age-friendly movement.

Approaches to Serving Rural Older Adults in State Plans on Aging: A Policy Content Evaluation
Journal Article
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 05/2022
In this article, we share a policy content evaluation of State Plans on Aging from all 50 U.S. states, focusing on how the states will serve older adults and including common and innovative approaches to doing so.
Contact by Collection Agencies for Medical Debt: Rural-Urban Differences Among Older and Younger Medicare Beneficiaries
Journal Article
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 02/2022
This study uses data from the 2016 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (n = 12,688 U.S. community-dwelling beneficiaries) to understand the impact of medical debt for rural residents. The study analyzed rural-urban differences in rates of collection agency contact for unpaid medical bills.

"They're Not Leaving Their Home; This Is Where They Were Born, This Is Where They Will Die.": Key Informant Perspectives From the U.S. Counties With the Greatest Concentration of the Oldest Old
Journal Article
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 07/2021
Researchers share interview results with key informants from 50 rural U.S. counties with the highest percentage of the residents ages 85 and older or the "oldest old." Respondents shared unique challenges to serving this population, as well as positive attributes of rural communities that make them attractive places for growing older.

Differences by Rurality in Satisfaction With Care Among Medicare Beneficiaries
Journal Article
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 05/2020
There are stark differences between rural and urban areas in demographic characteristics, health status, and healthcare. Yet less is known about rural‐urban differences in Medicare beneficiaries' satisfaction with care. We seek to understand rural‐urban differences in satisfaction with care for Medicare beneficiaries.

A National Examination of Caregiver Use of and Preferences for Support Services: Does Rurality Matter?
Journal Article
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 07/2018
The objective of this study was to assess rural-urban differences in caregiver use of and preferences for support services.
Rural-Urban Difference in Workplace Supports and Impacts for Employed Caregivers
Journal Article
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 06/2018
This study finds that employed rural caregivers had significantly fewer workplace benefits available to them compared with urban caregivers. In particular, employed rural caregivers were less likely to have access to telecommuting, employee assistance programs, and paid leave.