Health-related disparities remain a persistent, serious problem across the nation's more than 60 million rural residents. Rural Populations and Health provides an overview of the critical issues surrounding rural health and offers a strong theoretical and evidence-based rationale for rectifying rural health disparities in the United States.

This edited collection includes a comprehensive examination of myriad issues in rural health and rural health care services, as well as a road map for reducing disparities, building capacity and collaboration, and applying prevention research in rural areas. This textbook offers a review of rural health systems in Colorado, Kentucky, Alabama, and Iowa, and features contributions from key leaders in rural public health throughout the United States.

Rural Populations and Health examines vital health issues such as:

• Health assessment
• Strategies for building rural coalitions
• Promoting rural adolescent health
• Rural food disparities
• Promoting oral health in rural areas
• Physical activity in rural communities
• Preventing farm-related injuries
• Addressing mental health issues
• Cancer prevention and control in rural communities
• Reducing rural tobacco use

Rural Populations and Health is an important resource for students, faculty, and researchers in public health, preventive medicine, public health nursing, social work, and sociology.

Richard A. Crosby, PhD, is the DDI Endowed Professor of Health Behavior in the Department of Health Behavior, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky.

Monica L. Wendel, DrPH, MA, is assistant dean for community health systems innovation and director, Center for Community Health Development, Texas A&M Health Science Center, School of Rural Public Health.

Robin C. Vanderpool, DrPH, is an assistant professor in the Department of Health Behavior, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky.

Baretta R. Casey, MD, MPH, FAAFP, is a professor in the Department of Health Behavior, College of Public Health and the Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky.