The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides this resource with practical tips for incorporating rural-urban variables into public health studies.
CDC tip sheet considerations for incorporating rural-urban variables into public health studies include:
- Avoid rural-urban dichotomies,
- Select the right classification scheme,
- Be transparent about geographical scale and resolution,
- Examine rural specific trends and context,
- Consider region-rurality interactions,
- Report limitations in cross-scheme comparisons,
- Use visual tools to communicate rurality,
- Engage rural stakeholders on interpretation.