scholarly journals Geodemographic Area Classification and Association with Mortality: An Ecological Study of Small Areas of Cyprus

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (16) ◽  
pp. 2927 ◽  
Author(s):  
Demetris Lamnisos ◽  
Nicos Middleton ◽  
Nikoletta Kyprianou ◽  
Michael A. Talias
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Metropolitan Areas ◽  
Spatial Models ◽  
Premature Mortality ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Population Census ◽  
Socioeconomic Indicators ◽  
Small Areas ◽  
Area Classification

Geographical investigations are a core function of public health monitoring, providing the foundation for resource allocation and policies for reducing health inequalities. The aim of this study was to develop geodemographic area classification based on several area-level indicators and to explore the extent of geographical inequalities in mortality. A series of 19 area-level socioeconomic indicators were used from the 2011 national population census. After normalization and standardization of the geographically smoothed indicators, the k-means cluster algorithm was implemented to classify communities into groups based on similar characteristics. The association between geodemographic area classification and the spatial distribution of mortality was estimated in Poisson log-linear spatial models. The k-means algorithm resulted in four distinct clusters of areas. The most characteristic distinction was between the ageing, socially isolated, and resource-scarce rural communities versus metropolitan areas with younger population, higher educational attainment, and professional occupations. By comparison to metropolitan areas, premature mortality appeared to be 44% (95% Credible Intervals [CrI] of Rate Ratio (RR): 1.06–1.91) higher in traditional rural areas and 36% (95% CrI of RR: 1.13–1.62) higher in young semi-rural areas. These findings warrant future epidemiological studies investigating various causes of the urban-rural differences in premature mortality and implementation policies to reduce the mortality gap between urban and rural areas.

Rural Policing and the Drug Problem: An Examination of the Influence of Major Metropolitan Areas on Drug Offending in Surrounding Rural Communities

2005 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deon Brock ◽  
Darin Walker
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Metropolitan Areas ◽  
Criminal Activity ◽  
Rural America ◽  
Drug Problem ◽  
Related Activity ◽  
Area Of Study

The purpose of this study is to examine criminal activity in rural America, particularly drug-related activity, by analysing trends in offending for four rural communities of the mid-west. The present study has three main objectives. First, discover how many offences in these rural areas are drug-related offences. Second, discover differential offending, with an emphasis on drug offending, based on location of each area of study.1 Third, uncover overall trends of offending in each of the rural communities examined.

A Review of the Literature on Rural Suicide

Crisis ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 189-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jameson K. Hirsch
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Prevention And Intervention ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Urban And Rural Areas ◽  
Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors

Abstract. Background. Suicide is a major cause of mortality worldwide. Differences in rates of suicide exist between urban and rural areas; however, little rigorous research has examined the phenomena of rural suicide. Objective. This review examines the current body of literature on rural suicide and investigates differences between rural and urban suicide, including socioeconomic, psychological, and cultural variables. Prevention and intervention strategies specific to rural communities are discussed. Description of studies. All empirical and epidemiological studies of rural suicide were included in the review regardless of study design or methodology. Results. Although findings are mixed, research and epidemiological data indicate that suicide is a public health concern in rural areas, with suicide rates often greater than in urban areas. Discussion. Rural locale may create geographic, psychological, and sociocultural barriers to treatment of suicide. A better understanding of the role of rurality in the development and maintenance of suicidal thoughts and behaviors is needed and may inform prevention and intervention efforts.

Variance in disease risk: rural populations and genetic diversity

Genome ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 59 (7) ◽  
pp. 519-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.D. Jenkins ◽  
A.E. Lipka ◽  
A.J. Fogleman ◽  
K.R. Delfino ◽  
R.S. Malhi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Genomic Variation ◽  
Genomic Diversity ◽  
Disease Epidemiology ◽  
Industrialized Nations ◽  
The Us ◽  
Significant Disease

Over 19% of the US population resides in rural areas, where studies of disease risk and disease outcomes are difficult to assess due to smaller populations and lower incidence. While some studies suggest rural disparities for different chronic diseases, the data are inconsistent across geography and definitions of rurality. We reviewed the literature to examine if local variations in population genomic diversity may plausibly explain inconsistencies in estimating disease risk. Many rural communities were founded over 150 years ago by small groups of ethnically and ancestrally similar families. These have since endured relative geographical isolation, similar to groups in other industrialized nations, perhaps resulting in founder effects impacting local disease susceptibility. Studies in Europe and Asia have found that observably different phenotypes may appear in isolated communities within 100 years, and that genomic variation can significantly vary over small geographical scales. Epidemiological studies utilizing common “rural” definitions may miss significant disease differences due to assumptions of risk homogeneity and misinterpretation of administrative definitions of rurality. Local genomic heterogeneity should be an important aspect of chronic disease epidemiology in rural areas, and it is important to consider for designing studies and interpreting results, enabling a better understanding of the heritable components of complex diseases.

scholarly journals Assessing Heat-Related Mortality Risks among Rural Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Epidemiological Evidence

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 1597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Odame ◽  
Ying Li ◽  
Shimin Zheng ◽  
Ambarish Vaidyanathan ◽  
Ken Silver
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Selection Criteria ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Included Study ◽  
Rural Populations ◽  
Urban Settings ◽  
Rural Settings ◽  
Related Mortality

Most epidemiological studies of high temperature effects on mortality have focused on urban settings, while heat-related health risks in rural areas remain underexplored. To date there has been no meta-analysis of epidemiologic literature concerning heat-related mortality in rural settings. This study aims to systematically review the current literature for assessing heat-related mortality risk among rural populations. We conducted a comprehensive literature search using PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to identify articles published up to April 2018. Key selection criteria included study location, health endpoints, and study design. Fourteen studies conducted in rural areas in seven countries on four continents met the selection criteria, and eleven were included in the meta-analysis. Using the random effects model, the pooled estimates of relative risks (RRs) for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were 1.030 (95% CI: 1.013, 1.048) and 1.111 (95% CI: 1.045, 1.181) per 1 °C increase in daily mean temperature, respectively. We found excess risks in rural settings not to be smaller than risks in urban settings. Our results suggest that rural populations, like urban populations, are also vulnerable to heat-related mortality. Further evaluation of heat-related mortality among rural populations is warranted to develop public health interventions in rural communities.

Building a Practice in Rural Settings: Special Considerations

2013 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 228-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy Cohn ◽  
Sarah Hastings
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Metropolitan Areas ◽  
Economic Resources ◽  
Rural Practice ◽  
Collaborative Networks ◽  
Mental Health Counselors ◽  
Rural Settings

Private practice in rural areas presents special challenges. Rural communities often hold more stigmatizing views about psychotherapy and have fewer economic resources, yet rates of mental health problems are comparable to those in metropolitan areas. Rural practice can be particularly rewarding for clinicians who can build collaborative networks, adjust to visibility, negotiate boundaries, and successfully integrate into the community. This article offers recommendations for mental health counselors on building a practice for branding, marketing, collaborating, and exercising self-care. It also discusses challenges associated with counseling in rural areas and gives suggestions for building a thriving practice.

scholarly journals Improving Rural Accessibility: A Multilayer Approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 2876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabetta Vitale Brovarone ◽  
Giancarlo Cotella
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Metropolitan Areas ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Potential Barriers ◽  
Perspective Drawing ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Essential Prerequisite

Rural territories are worse equipped than urban ones in terms of accessibility to services and opportunities, due to their scattered development and peripheral character. Increasing cuts to loss-making services in traditional public transport contributed to increased social inequality and marginality, in so doing undermining the livability of rural communities. In this light, improving accessibility is an essential prerequisite for the sustainable development of rural areas. Whereas demand responsive transport solutions are often seen as a panacea in circumstances where traditional services are not viable, their implementation is more challenging than it may seem, due to the potential barriers intrinsically related to the differential socioeconomic, cultural, and institutional features of places. Furthermore, enhancing transport offer is only one side of the multifaceted prism of rural accessibility, and the institution of effective multi-level and multi-sector governance mechanisms is a precondition to approach the mentioned challenges under a more comprehensive perspective. Drawing on the results of the European Territorial Observatory Network (ESPON) Urban-Rural Connectivity in Non-Metropolitan Areas (URRUC) project, the paper sheds light on this issue, exploring the accessibility challenges of rural areas and proposing a multilayer policy approach aimed at supporting decision-makers in improving rural accessibility across Europe.

TURNING FARMERS INTO SOCIAL FARMER ENTREPRENEURS FOR DISADVANTAGED PEOPLE

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Remus Runcan
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Physical Work ◽  
Healthy Environment ◽  
Rural And Urban Areas ◽  
Rural Development Programme ◽  
Rural And Urban

According to Romania’s National Rural Development Programme, the socio-economic situation of the rural environment has a large number of weaknesses – among which low access to financial resources for small entrepreneurs and new business initiatives in rural areas and poorly developed entrepreneurial culture, characterized by a lack of basic managerial knowledge – but also a large number of opportunities – among which access of the rural population to lifelong learning and entrepreneurial skills development programmes and entrepreneurs’ access to financial instruments. The population in rural areas depends mainly on agricultural activities which give them subsistence living conditions. The gap between rural and urban areas is due to low income levels and employment rates, hence the need to obtain additional income for the population employed in subsistence and semi-subsistence farming, especially in the context of the depopulation trend. At the same time, the need to stimulate entrepreneurship in rural areas is high and is at a resonance with the need to increase the potential of rural communities from the perspective of landscape, culture, traditional activities and local resources. A solution could be to turn vegetal and / or animal farms into social farms – farms on which people with disabilities (but also adolescents and young people with anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicide, and alexithymia issues) might find a “foster” family, bed and meals in a natural, healthy environment, and share the farm’s activities with the farmer and the farmer’s family: “committing to a regular day / days and times for a mutually agreed period involves complying with any required health and safety practices (including use of protective clothing and equipment), engaging socially with the farm family members and other people working on and around the farm, and taking on tasks which would include working on the land, taking care of animals, or helping out with maintenance and other physical work”

Assessment of a water filtration device for household use in rural communities in Mexico

1997 ◽  
Vol 35 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 65-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Galván ◽  
J. de Victorica
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Gastrointestinal Disease ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Field Evaluation ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Laboratory Conditions ◽  
Operation Conditions ◽  
Rural Mexico ◽  
Quality Water

Epidemiological studies in rural Mexico have shown the role of poor quality water in gastrointestinal disease incidence. This led to the establishment of a program, which included the assessment of inexpensive systems for household treatment of drinking water. We describe the main features of a hand carved stone filter evaluated over 6 months under laboratory conditions and 6 months under household conditions. The filter had a capacity of 5L and an average volume of 18L/d filtered water (the temperature of which was always an average 4°C lower than the influent). Average bacterial removals under laboratory conditions were 98% for total and faecal coliforms (TC, FC), 96% for faecal streptococci (FS), 99% for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 100% for helminth eggs and protozoan cysts. During the field evaluation removals were 80–100% TC, 45–95% FC and 8–93% FS due to the different qualities of influent water and the operation conditions. Nevertheless, the filters represented an immediate mitigation measure of the health risks associated with the continuous ingestion of microbiologically unsafe waters.

scholarly journals Tackling Rural Health, Energy, … and Technological Issues All at Once: A Call for a Global Interdisciplinary Platform for Strengthening Rural Setting Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

Challenges ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Farshad Amiraslani
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Health ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Rural Setting ◽  
Global Challenges ◽  
Rural Settings ◽  
Research Studies

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has revealed flaws in rural settings where most people live without the necessary tools, income, and knowledge to tackle such unprecedented global challenges. Here, I argue that despite the research studies conducted on rural areas, these have not solved rising rural issues, notably poverty and illiteracy. I propound a global institute to be formed by governments that provides a platform for empowering rural communities through better training, skills, and competencies. Such global endeavour will ensure the remaining rural communities withstand future pandemics if they occur.

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