Section: Module 2: Lesson 1: Social and Behavioral Determinants of Rural Health | Rural Health and Aging | NextGenU.org

  • Student Learning Outcomes:
    Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
    • Differentiate between the various social and behavioral determinants of rural health.
    • Analyze the ecological model for health promotion programs.
    • Exemplify how health outcomes can be influenced at all ecological levels.
    • Describe what is health equity and how it is viewed by rural populations.
    • Describe health equity from an aging population perspective.
    • Analyze the burden of disease for aging populations in rural communities.
    Approximate time required to complete the readings (at 144 words/minute) and assignments for this lesson: 7 hours and 36 minutes.

    Click here to start this lesson

    • Required Learning Resources and Activities
    • Read the sections from "Introduction" to "Potential Rural Strategies." (22 minutes)

      National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services-2017

    • Overview and FAQ's : 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 15, and 18. (26 minutes)

      Rural Health Information Hub-2020

    • Read the "Ecological Models" tab under Module 2: "Program Models" including examples of ecological models & considerations for implementations. View "PROJECT HEART" Model link for an actual ecological model on health promotion. (23 minutes)

      Rural Health Information Hub-2018

    • Read content under "Discussion." (16 minutes)

      PubMed Journal Article-2012

    • Read the content under the heading "Introduction" from page 1 to page 4. (10 minutes)

      The National Academies Press-2018

    • Read the content under "Introduction" in Chapter 1.1.5. on pages 57-58. (3 minutes)

      WONCA Rural Education Guidebook-2014

    • Read the content under "Abstract" and "Introduction." (7 minutes)

      HHS Public Access-2011

    • Read the content under the heading "Identifying Public Health Goals and Benefits for Elderly Populations." (7 minutes)

      The Oxford Handbook of Public Health Ethics-2019

    • Read the entire document. (18 minutes)

      United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs-2018

    • Read instructions for the peer activity. (20 minutes)

      National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities.

    • In this activity, you will revamp a bar graph to any form of visual (chart, infographic, slideshow) and present the following:

      • Analysis of the burden of disease in people aged 60 years and older.
      • Examples of how living in rural communities present challenges and opportunities to address health issues among older adults.
      • Demonstration of how a specific health issue can be influenced at different ecological levels.

      Step 1: Analyze


      Analyze the leading contributors to the burden of disease in people aged 60 years and older in 2010. Take note of the following key features of the figure:

      • Most prominent disease burden contributors in both low-income and high-income countries.
      • Least prominent disease burden contributors in both low-income and high-income countries.
      • Potential explanations for the most significant differences of disease burden contributors among low-income and high-income countries.

      Step 2: Respond

      From the data, choose one disease contributor and reflect on how the prominence of the disease can be influenced at all ecological levels - For example: how the prominence of cardiovascular disease can be influenced at the individual, population, and community levels. 

      Your ideas for how to respond to your selected health issue at each ecological level should be contextualized for older adults in a rural health community.

      Step 3: Design

      Select your preferred digital/non-digital tool to revamp the given graph to your chosen visual representation. Ensure that you also include the key features from Step 1 and your ideas from Step 2. You can use chart features of PowerPoint or visual design apps like Canva and Visme. Choose a visual type that will enhance the clarity of the data based on “rank” or “prominence.”

      Step 4: Present

      Present your visual analysis highlighting the key features from Step 1 and the ideas from Step 2. Record yourself or your screen using the online tool, Loom.  If you are using PowerPoint, you may embed an audio recording in your presentation. The presentation should be of 3 - 5 minutes duration only.

      Step 5: Share

      To share your work, click on the “Reply” button under this post and paste the shareable public link of your work in the “Message” box. Make sure to reference others’ intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B. references are excluded from word counts).

      Step 6: Interact

      Evaluate and categorize the work from one of your peers based on items A - E of this rubric. Provide a rationale for the grade you provided, as well as comments or suggestions for improvement. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.” You can use the list below as an example:

      Item A is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
      Item B is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
      Item C is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
      Item D is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
      Item E is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….


      OPTIONAL Step 5: Interact (10 minutes)

      If you would like to, you can reply to your peers' posts in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”

    • Additional Learning Options
    • Read the entire article. (29 minutes)

      African Health Sciences-2011

    • Read the entire article. (19 minutes)

      Wiley Public Health Emergency Collection-2020

    • Read the entire article. (3 minutes)

      World Health Organization-2021

    • Read the entire document. (40 minutes)

      United Nations Economic Commission for Europe-2017