The Social Science Research Institute (SSRI) is hosting a Symposium on Social Science Research on Rural Health at Penn State on Jan. 24, 3 - 5 p.m., in 110 Henderson Building at University Park. 

According to symposium organizer Danielle Rhubart, assistant professor of biobehavioral health and demography and principal investigator of the new SSRI Working Group on Social Science Research on Rural Population Health, rural America is home to higher rates of chronic health conditions, poor self-rated health, and premature mortality.  

“These disparities have been linked not only to differences in access to health care—which accounts for about 10 to 20 percent of the modifiable determinants of health—but also to broader social and structural factors,” Rhubart said. "Understanding and addressing these disparities requires attention from interdisciplinary teams of social science researchers who study the multilevel factors that shape health." 

This symposium will bring together Penn State faculty who are engaged or interested in social science research on rural population health in order to form, grow, and implement research collaborations on the upstream determinants of rural health disparities.

“Penn State is well-positioned to be a leader in rural population health disparities research. This gathering is an additional step in that directio,” Rhubart added. 

Faculty engaged in social science research on rural health at Penn State are encouraged to sign up for this event here.  

Co-investigators include SSRI Associate Director Leif Jensen, professor of rural sociology and demography, and SSRI cofunded faculty member Kristina Brant, assistant professor of rural sociology.