title: Application of a gender-based approach to conducting a community health assessment for rural women in Southern Illinois.
abstract: Rural populations in the United States experience unique challenges in health and health care. The health of rural women, in particular, is influenced by their knowledge, work and family commitments, as well as environmental barriers in their communities. In rural southern Illinois, the seven southernmost counties form a region that experiences high rates of cancer and other chronic diseases. To identify, understand, and prioritize the health needs of women living in these seven counties, a comprehensive gender-based community health assessment was conducted with the goal of developing a plan to improve women's health in the region. A gender-analysis framework was adapted, and key stakeholder interviews and focus groups with community women were conducted and analyzed to identify factors affecting ill health. The gender-based analysis revealed that women play a critical role in the health of their families and their communities, and these roles can influence their personal health. The gender-based analysis also identified several gender-specific barriers and facilitators that affect women's health and their ability to engage in healthy behaviors. These results have important implications for the development of programs and policies to improve health among rural women.
authors.affiliation: Center for Research on Women and Gender, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1640 West Roosevelt Road, M/C 980, Chicago, IL 60608, United States. Electronic address: Kzimme3@uic.edu.
authors.forename: Kristine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
authors.affiliation: Division of Health Policy & Social Science Research, UIC College of Medicine at Rockford, 1601 Parkview Avenue, Rockford, IL 61107-1897, United States. Electronic address: Mkhare1@uic.edu.
authors.forename: Manorama M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Khare
authors.affiliation: Southern Seven Health Department, 37 Rustic Campus Drive, Ullin, IL 62992, United States. Electronic address: cwright@s7hd.org.
authors.forename: Cherie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: Marion Regional Office, Illinois Department of Public Health, 2309 West Main Street, Marion, IL 62959, United States. Electronic address: allison.hasler@illinois.gov.
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hasler
authors.affiliation: MidAmerica Center for Public Health Practice, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1603 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612, United States. Electronic address: Sarah.kerch@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kerch
authors.affiliation: Southern Seven Health Department, 37 Rustic Campus Drive, Ullin, IL 62992, United States. Electronic address: pmoehring@s7hd.org.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moehring
authors.affiliation: Center for Research on Women and Gender, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1640 West Roosevelt Road, M/C 980, Chicago, IL 60608, United States. Electronic address: sgeller@uic.edu.
authors.forename: Stacie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Geller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D004032:Diet; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012424:Rural Population; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Community health assessment; Gender-based analysis; Rural health; Women's health