We are pleased to announce that the South Carolina Rural Health Research Center was one of seven chosen to receive funding from the Office of Rural Health Policy for 2012-2016!  This will allow us to continue our work in examining the dual disparities experienced by minorities living in rural America.  Upcoming projects focus on post-acute stroke care, dual eligible utilization and characteristics, and the demography of rural America.  Stay tuned as we release these products over the coming year!

For a full listing of the ORHP-funded centers, click here:  http://www.ruralhealthresearch.org/

Post Conference Reflections: AcademyHealth’s ARM

This past meeting of health policy researchers at AcademyHealth’s Annual Research Meeting was one full of promise. The content covered included some of the latest and most innovative technology and research in the field. Topics ranged from Propensity Score’s to Knowledge Translation & more. Those in attendance were provided with several unique opportunities to network and explore new & innovative research.

The SCRHRC was well represented as 3 Research Associates (Grishma Patel, MPH, Deshia A. Leonhirth, MBA & Samuel Towne, MPH, CPH) were selected to present their research along with 2 professors (Kevin J. Bennett, Ph.D. & Amy Brock Martin, DrPH). Topics ranged from End Stage Renal Disease, Use of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) in Residential Care Facilities, Health Disparities in the Delta Region, Home Health Care Quality in Areas with high levels of Native American & Alaska Native individuals & Health Information Technology in Regional Extension Centers & the Impact on Physicians Implementation of EHRs.

The location was set in the heart of Walt Disney World, which had its own unique interest. Obviously, many were expecting Sunny Florida, however Tropical Storm Debby gave us a bit more rain than sun to say the least. Some didn't seem to mind the weather (i.e. ducks). 

In all, the future of health services research is moving forward with knowledge dissemination activities such as this and others. As health research & policy moves forward one may hope that the best available evidence is available to those who can use it to improve the health of the nation & global environment. 

Post Conference Reflections: NRHA’s Annual Meeting

The most recent annual meeting of the National Rural Health Association was a benefit to those in attendance. The speakers and content allowed for a wider perspective of current issues and goals for those working in the field of rural health.

The South Carolina Rural Health Research Center was represented by two current Research Associates (Kristin Schuller, MHA & Samuel Towne, MPH, CPH) and an Assistant Professor (Kevin J. Bennett, PhD). All provided presentations and/or poster presentations on topics related to rural health.

The atmosphere in and around the conference was one of beauty. The Rocky Mountains provided scenic views tempting one to venture into the mountains for a hike. The cityscape included unique artwork and architecture including a wide variety of local breweries, which allowed for an educational perspective of the manufacturing process. The city of Denver certainly provided a meaningful experience to those attending. 

Being a missionary for rural

Sadly, I [Jan] couldn’t be with friends at NRHA this year!

Instead, I participated in a meeting sponsored by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau: an Expert Workshop on Autism Intervention Research in Underserved Communities: Research Priorities and Methodological Challenges. The workshop was extremely informative: really bright investigators who are working to change outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorders.

Autism is a challenging condition for parents at any economic or geographic level. Most of the researchers present, while dedicated and caring persons with their hearts in the right place, were located at urban medical centers. Hence, my role (since I’m not an expert in autism) as the missionary for rural. The group as a whole seemed to blink when slides illustrating the distribution of pediatricians around the country were shown. Even good-hearted people just don’t realize how under-resourced rural America is.

One very bright note: the innovative work reported by Susan Hepburn of the University of Colorado. Dr. Hepburn is part of a team that has been testing off-the-web video conferencing software (specifically, ooVoo) to provide therapy for rural kids with autism. Terrific stuff: cheap software (really cheap: free download, but has security equivalent to bank transactions), the format seemed to appeal to the adolescent patients, and really really rural kids were getting highly specialized care.

Kudos to all of the investigators for their hard work, and to MCHB for pulling the meeting together.

SCRHRC Alumna featured for Public Health Week

Congratulations to USC doctoral graduate -- and one-time South Carolina Rural Health Research Center research associate -- Crystal Piper, PhD. Dr. Piper was one of three speakers featured in an hour-long discussion of Health Disparities hosted by WFAE in Charlotte, North Carolina on April 2, 2012.

Dr. Piper's presentation may be heard at the WFAE website, http://www.wfae.org/wfae/19_100_0.cfm?id=8478&action=display

Post Conference Reflections

Recently one of our Research Associates had the opportunity to present at the 2012 South Carolina GIS Conference in Charleston, SC.

The topic covered utilization and access to cancer screening & other sources of care for both rural Americans and areas with higher levels of Native American and Alaska Native individuals.

The opportunity to share health policy research integrated with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was a valuable experience. Future collaborations across multiple fields of research (i.e. Geographers, Environmental Health Specialist & Health Policy Researchers) will continue to strengthen the quality of knowledge dissemination activities.

A video from one of our researchers

Dr. Jihong Liu has worked with us on several studies of rural children and obesity. In this video, Dr. Lui shares the results of one of her newer studies, on weight gain among Mexican-American children.
http://www.scivee.tv/node/38550