Research Reports
2022
An Analysis of Pennsylvania's Children
November 22, 2022 | Rural People and Communities
This study used secondary data from multiple sources to present a short analysis of Pennsylvania children (ages 0-17) over the 10-year period of 2010-2019. It analyzed trends pertaining to children along seven different dimensions, including location, demographics, economic circumstances, education, health care, health, and behaviors. The results indicate that both rural and urban children have seen some improvements in economic circumstances, healthcare, and health from 2010 to 2019. However, there are opportunities to improve outcomes for children overall.
Tags: #children , #economic , #education , #health care
Social Determinants of Health in the Age of COVID: Effects of Social Isolation Among Adults 62+ in Rural Pennsylvania
November 03, 2022 | Rural People and Communities
This study analyzed the extent of social isolation among rural Pennsylvanians aged 62 or older, evaluated the determinants of social isolation among older residents, identified evidence-based programs and services that minimize social isolation, and assessed potential replicability in Pennsylvania.
Executive Summary
Tags: me , rural communities , older adults , social isolation , ag
Assessment and Analysis of Housing Quality and Policies in Rural Pennsylvania
September 29, 2022 | Health Care and Human Services
The purpose of this study was to assess housing quality and related policies and programs in rural Pennsylvania. The research goals and objectives focused on four areas: gaining a quantitative understanding of housing quality for rural Pennsylvania communities; understanding barriers faced by rural residents in securing loans to address home improvement; understanding municipal policy and implementation regarding housing maintenance codes; and developing policy considerations that address the key issues regarding housing quality in rural Pennsylvania.
Executive Summary
Tags: housing finance programs , housing quality index , sub-quality housing , rural housing , property maintenance codes
Analyzing the Effects of COVID-19 on Educational Equity in Rural Pennsylvania School Districts
August 25, 2022 | Education
Using a mixed methods approach that combined state-level institutional data, local interviews with school administrators, and school district data, this research examined how COVID-19 has (re)shaped rural school districts’ ongoing efforts to identify and address equity concerns along geographic, fiscal, instructional, and racial/ethnic lines across Pennsylvania.
Executive Summary
Tags: covid-19 , education , education equity , rural education
Coroner/Medical Examiner Services in Pennsylvania
August 02, 2022 | Health Care and Human Services
This research provides information about Pennsylvania coroner/medical examiners (C/MEs) and their offices. It examined office caseloads, funding, facilities, forensic capacity, vehicles and equipment, and staffing and training resources. It also assessed how the opioid epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic affected county C/ME offices.
Executive Summary
Tags: medical examiner , opiods , covid-19 , coroner
COVID-19 Effects on Pennsylvania Crime Trends: A Rural/Urban Comparison
June 30, 2022 | Rural People and Communities
The goals of the research were to investigate whether the COVID-19 pandemic triggered or heightened the crimes of murder and abuse in Pennsylvania, and to identify rural-urban differences in these outcomes both before and during the pandemic.
Executive Summary
Tags: crime , covid , murder
Rural Youth Survey: Trends and Developments in the Attitudes and Aspirations of Rural Pennsylvania Youth
May 18, 2022 | Rural People and Communities
The goals of this project were to document the educational, career, and residential aspirations of rural youth today, to examine the community, family, and peer factors that might shape these aspirations, and to detail the opportunities and barriers that youth experience.
Executive Summary
Tags: education , residential aspirations , career aspirations , youth
Access to Maternity and Obstetric Care in Rural Pennsylvania
April 22, 2022 | Health Care and Human Services
This study examined access to maternity care in rural Pennsylvania. Maternity care (also known as obstetric care) can be defined as health care services delivered to women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum. Access to maternity care is defined as the availability of birthing facilities (hospitals or birth centers) and practitioners (physicians and midwives) providing these health services.
Executive Summary
Tags: maternity care , maternal care , children
Planning in Rural Pennsylvania in 2020: Analysis of the Use and Effectiveness of Municipal Land Use Tools
April 04, 2022 | Local Government Finance and Administration
Executive Summary
Tags: land use , comprehensive plans , zoning , local government
Profile of Rural PA Women 2022
March 21, 2022 | Rural People and Communities
This research provides a profile of the social and economic well-being of rural Pennsylvania women through a detailed understanding of their lives, livelihoods, and families. It used data from the 2005-2009 and 2014-2018 American Community Survey (ACS).
Executive Summary
Tags: women , families
Analysis of 2017 Census of Agriculture Data
February 21, 2022 | Agriculture
This study examined the agricultural industry in Pennsylvania and provides descriptive profiles of farm operations and farmers, as well as trends in Pennsylvania agriculture.
Executive Summary
Tags: farming , farmers , trends , agriculture
Pennsylvania Broadband Access: A Speed Test Analysis
February 11, 2022 | Infrastructure
Access to affordable broadband technology has been a long-standing challenge for many rural Pennsylvanians. In November 2021, the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act set aside $65 billion to improve access to high-speed internet across the nation. Part of that act requires states to prioritize projects for those with the most limited access to broadband connections. The Pennsylvania General Assembly passed Act 96 of 2021 shortly after the federal law. Act 96 established the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority to improve internet access across the Commonwealth.
Appendix
Tags: broadband , internet
Access to Mental Health Services in Rural Pennsylvania
January 24, 2022 | Health Care and Human Services
This research assessed the demand for mental health services in rural Pennsylvania with a focus on youth and the elderly. It identified challenges these populations face in accessing mental health care to provide options for improving and expanding mental health care services for underserved rural Pennsylvanians.
Executive Summary
Tags: mental health
Introducing the Center's new journal, Rural Policy: The Research Bulletin of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania.