2023
Dental Care Use in the Midwest: Metro vs. Nonmetro
This research is about dental care use; motivations for care and likelihood of visiting a dentist or dental clinic are researched. The Midwest region was the geographical unit of analysis. Three sources of data were pooled to gain insights into user behavior, both for the metro and the nonmetro. Empirical analysis suggests that a larger proportion of minorities in the nonmetro delay dental care due to costs, 38% of the minorities compared to 5% of the Whites.
Worker Burnout in Healthcare: Metro vs. Non-Metro
This study shows that more than one-in-two healthcare workers, both in the metro and the non-metro, are burned out. Data are from the USA Today / Ipsos survey of healthcare workers, fielded during February 9-16, 2022. Demographics such as education and income do not correlate with burnout; in other words, one’s level of education and income are independent of being burned out on the job. Prevention strategies such as humanization of work schedules are recommended.
Health Policy for Rural Illinois, Data for Policy Development
This paper provides data for heath policy for rural Illinois; the state’s metropolitan data are provided for comparison purposes. The construct, “health policy”, is conceptualized to be a function of four factors: healthcare access, cost, quality, and equity; each facet, in turn, was measured using indicators derived from multiple data sources. Data analysis suggests that disparity in healthcare between the Whites and the minority population is more pronounced in the non-metro and is getting worse.
Health and Healthcare Disparities in Illinois, Metro vs. Nonmetro
This paper addresses the question, “What is the status of health and healthcare disparities in Illinois” using data from three sources: American Community Survey, 2017-2021; Health Cost & Utilization Project, 2018-2020, and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2021. Data analysis suggests that health disparities exist in Illinois – affordability, or the inability to pay the doctor, has prevented a majority of the Hispanics in the nonmetro from seeing a doctor in the past 12 months. The largest potential for improvement in minority health lies in behavioral risk factors, smoking and lack of exercise.
Physical Activity of Illinoisans in the Metro and the Nonmetro
This research shows that more nonmetro Illinoisans are physically inactive compared to their metro counterparts. Data analysis reveals that 80% of nonmetro residents are either overweight (Body-Mass Index more than 25, but less than 30) or obese (Body-Mass Index greater than or equal to 30). Logistic analysis of physical activity with various predictors suggests that daily intake of fruits contributes positively to the log odds of exercising.
The Rural Emergency Hospital designation offers current Critical Access Hospitals and rural Prospective Payment System hospitals with fewer than 50 beds to furnish emergency department and observation services. A principal component analysis of microdata from the CMS suggests that there are 13 potential REH members in Illinois, 10 in the nonmetro and three in the metro.