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On March 18, the Population Association of America, in coordination with the Rural Population Research Network (funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Interdisciplinary Network on Rural Population Health and Aging (funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA)), and Association of Population Centers, sponsored its first virtual congressional briefing of 2022. The briefing, “Small Towns/Big Trends: Demographic Insights on Living, Working and Thriving in Rural America,” featured a panel of seven population scientists based at different universities who collaborate via the USDA and NIA supported research networks.
Their presentations featured policy-relevant research outcomes addressing contemporary issues affecting Rural America, including COVID-19, economic mobility, mortality, aging, climate change, and natural impacts of population growth. Specifically, the panelists discussed how these issues are affecting the demography, economy, health, and well-being of rural communities nationwide.
The audience included congressional staff, federal, state, and local government officials, interest group representatives, and the media.
The U.S. Rural Population Declined for the First Time between 2010 and 2020Kenneth M. JohnsonRural Adults Report Worse Employment and Economic Impacts from COVID-19 than Urban AdultsShannon M. MonnatChallenges and Opportunities of an Aging Rural PopulationMildred E. Warner and Xue ZhangInformal Work is More Common in Rural than in Urban AmericaLeif Jensen, Ann R. Tickamyer, and Tim SlackDelta Population Change Has Implications for Weathering the FutureJohn J. GreenLand Loss is an Immediate Threat to Coastal Louisiana CommunitiesTim SlackPopulation Growth is Related to Natural Hazard Exposure in the Rural Western U.S.Jessica D. Ulrich-Schad and Matthew J. BarnettRural Population Research is Constrained by Census Data Availability and ReliabilityJ. Tom Mueller and Alexis R. Santos-LozadaGrowing Up in Rural America: New Disadvantages and Surprising AdvantagesShelley Clark, Sam Harper, and Bruce WeberRural America Gets a Boost from Migration Changes During the COVID-19 PandemicJulia Petersen and Richelle L. WinklerCounting Moves to Rural Counties: 1991-2016In exurban America, 'Moving to the country' means 'staying close to the city.'Shaun A. Goldin and Richelle L. WinklerMortality Rates are Higher in Rural than in Urban Areas, and the Gap is GrowingShannon M. Monnat