Publication Date: January 13th, 2025
Publication Type: Practical Implications
Topic(s): Hospitals and Clinics, Maternal Health, Rural Statistics and Demographics
Author(s): Kozhimannil KB, Sheffield EC, Adole MJ, Fritz AH, Busse C, Jacobson I, and Interrante JD
Definitions of rurality vary across research and policy, and these definitions directly affect health service eligibility, interpretation of research findings, and may impact health outcomes. The primary objective of this brief is to explore the complexities inherent in defining rurality in maternal health research. We report information about various measures and definitions commonly employed to categorize rural populations and discuss the implications of these definitions for research, public health interventions, and policy formulation. In addition, this brief aims to provide insights into how different measures of rurality influence research outcomes, with the goal of informing best practices in maternal health research.