Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities
Geographic and Socioeconomic Landscape of Veterans With Head and Neck Cancer
Explores the geographic and socioeconomic factors that correlate with the higher rates and worse outcomes for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas among veterans compared to civilians. Breaks down data by socioeconomic factors, such as marital status, unemployment, and service connection, among other factors, as well as rurality, travel distance, and drive time.
Author(s): Kristen L. Zayan, Jennifer L. McCoy, Monique Y. Boudreaux-Kelly, et al.
Citation: Head & Neck, 47(10), 2845-2855
Date: 10/2025
view details
Explores the geographic and socioeconomic factors that correlate with the higher rates and worse outcomes for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas among veterans compared to civilians. Breaks down data by socioeconomic factors, such as marital status, unemployment, and service connection, among other factors, as well as rurality, travel distance, and drive time.
Author(s): Kristen L. Zayan, Jennifer L. McCoy, Monique Y. Boudreaux-Kelly, et al.
Citation: Head & Neck, 47(10), 2845-2855
Date: 10/2025
view details
Examining Trends in Polydrug Overdose Deaths Across Rural Midwest Counties in the United States, 2022 Through 2024
Highlights a study examining the presence of the drug xylazine in postmortem toxicology of drug overdose deaths in rural Minnesota. Breaks down data by county, drugs co-occurring with xylazine, and demographic characteristics of the deceased, among other measures.
Author(s): Bradley R. Ray, Shane Sheets, Patti Constant, et al.
Citation: Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 275, 112832
Date: 10/2025
view details
Highlights a study examining the presence of the drug xylazine in postmortem toxicology of drug overdose deaths in rural Minnesota. Breaks down data by county, drugs co-occurring with xylazine, and demographic characteristics of the deceased, among other measures.
Author(s): Bradley R. Ray, Shane Sheets, Patti Constant, et al.
Citation: Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 275, 112832
Date: 10/2025
view details
Implementing a Mobile Clinic for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment in an Urban and Rural Context
Highlights a study on the efficacy of the mobile clinic model at providing opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment in rural and urban areas. Compares and evaluates mobile OUD treatment programs in Pittsburgh, PA and rural Robeson County, NC. Evaluates programs on the basis of community engagement, cost, and partnerships with local pharmacies, among other measures.
Author(s): Orrin D. Ware, Divya Venkat, Robyn Jordan, et al.
Citation: Substance Use & Addiction Journal, 46(4), 799–805
Date: 10/2025
view details
Highlights a study on the efficacy of the mobile clinic model at providing opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment in rural and urban areas. Compares and evaluates mobile OUD treatment programs in Pittsburgh, PA and rural Robeson County, NC. Evaluates programs on the basis of community engagement, cost, and partnerships with local pharmacies, among other measures.
Author(s): Orrin D. Ware, Divya Venkat, Robyn Jordan, et al.
Citation: Substance Use & Addiction Journal, 46(4), 799–805
Date: 10/2025
view details
Colorectal Cancer Survival Disparities in Persistent Poverty Areas
Presents a study exploring the effect of living in a persistent poverty census tract on colorectal cancer (CRC) survival rates in both rural and urban locations. Breaks down data by demographic characteristics, treatment type, and tumor location, among other measures. Draws data from 2013-2019 cancer registry and 2013-2021 death records.
Author(s): Peter DelNero, Mario Schootman, Cheng Peng, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(3), e70045
Date: 09/2025
view details
Presents a study exploring the effect of living in a persistent poverty census tract on colorectal cancer (CRC) survival rates in both rural and urban locations. Breaks down data by demographic characteristics, treatment type, and tumor location, among other measures. Draws data from 2013-2019 cancer registry and 2013-2021 death records.
Author(s): Peter DelNero, Mario Schootman, Cheng Peng, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(3), e70045
Date: 09/2025
view details
Rural/Urban Disparities in the Availability of Diabetes Prevention Programs in US Hospitals
Examines access to Diabetes Prevention Programs (DPPs) by geographic and socioeconomic variables. Analyzes DPPs in 3,204 general medical hospitals according to sociodemographic variables such as food environment, insurance rates, income, and more, as well as hospital characteristics, such as ownership type, geographic region, and county location of metro, micro, or noncore.
Author(s): Allyson Hughes, Shyamkumar Sriram, Berkeley Franz, Cory Cronin
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 16
Date: 09/2025
view details
Examines access to Diabetes Prevention Programs (DPPs) by geographic and socioeconomic variables. Analyzes DPPs in 3,204 general medical hospitals according to sociodemographic variables such as food environment, insurance rates, income, and more, as well as hospital characteristics, such as ownership type, geographic region, and county location of metro, micro, or noncore.
Author(s): Allyson Hughes, Shyamkumar Sriram, Berkeley Franz, Cory Cronin
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 16
Date: 09/2025
view details
Comparing Guillain-Barré Syndrome Outcomes Between Rural and Urban Hospitals in the United States: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Examines the impact of rural versus urban location on patient outcomes for Guillain-Barré Syndrome-related hospitalizations, utilizing 2021 National Inpatient Sample data. Provides data on patient outcomes including mortality, length of stay, complications, and discharge disposition. Highlights differences in clinical factors and patient demographics influencing care in rural and urban settings.
Author(s): Anudeep Surendranath, Rahul Damani, Anushareddy Muddasani, Anupam Kumar Gupta
Citation: PLoS One, 20(9), e0333403
Date: 09/2025
view details
Examines the impact of rural versus urban location on patient outcomes for Guillain-Barré Syndrome-related hospitalizations, utilizing 2021 National Inpatient Sample data. Provides data on patient outcomes including mortality, length of stay, complications, and discharge disposition. Highlights differences in clinical factors and patient demographics influencing care in rural and urban settings.
Author(s): Anudeep Surendranath, Rahul Damani, Anushareddy Muddasani, Anupam Kumar Gupta
Citation: PLoS One, 20(9), e0333403
Date: 09/2025
view details
Rural–Urban Disparities in Treatment and Disease-Specific Survival for Patients with Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis of the 2000 to 2021 SEER Database
Examines rural-urban disparities in treatment and survival for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) patients, utilizing 2000-2021 SEER data of 14,940 patients. Analyzes receipt of chemotherapy, surgical treatment, and 5- and 10-year disease-specific survival. Includes multivariable analysis of the association between demographic factors, including rurality, and mortality.
Author(s): Odelia H Moon, Mitchell A Taylor, Omar Hamadi, Aditya Sharma, Peter Silberstein
Citation: Medical Sciences, 13(3), 158
Date: 09/2025
view details
Examines rural-urban disparities in treatment and survival for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) patients, utilizing 2000-2021 SEER data of 14,940 patients. Analyzes receipt of chemotherapy, surgical treatment, and 5- and 10-year disease-specific survival. Includes multivariable analysis of the association between demographic factors, including rurality, and mortality.
Author(s): Odelia H Moon, Mitchell A Taylor, Omar Hamadi, Aditya Sharma, Peter Silberstein
Citation: Medical Sciences, 13(3), 158
Date: 09/2025
view details
"No Rest for Me Tonight": A Social-Ecological Exploration of Insomnia in Rural Appalachian Women
Examines individual, social, and societal factors associated with insomnia among rural, Appalachian women in Kentucky, analyzing and providing excerpts from interviews with 46 women with self-reported insomnia symptoms. Details the high impact of insomnia on women in rural Appalachia and identifies cultural factors influencing insomnia prevalence and treatment.
Author(s): Mairead E. Moloney, Daniela C. Moga, Michael Grandner, Nancy Schoenberg
Citation: Sleep Health, 11(5), 717-723
Date: 09/2025
view details
Examines individual, social, and societal factors associated with insomnia among rural, Appalachian women in Kentucky, analyzing and providing excerpts from interviews with 46 women with self-reported insomnia symptoms. Details the high impact of insomnia on women in rural Appalachia and identifies cultural factors influencing insomnia prevalence and treatment.
Author(s): Mairead E. Moloney, Daniela C. Moga, Michael Grandner, Nancy Schoenberg
Citation: Sleep Health, 11(5), 717-723
Date: 09/2025
view details
Disparities in Multi-Modal Spatial Access to Primary and Specialty Care in U.S. Neighborhoods: A Cross-Sectional and Temporal Analysis of Health Services
Provides a multi-modal spatial access measure to examine disparities in access to primary and specialty care across variable geographies. Includes data on spatial access to providers according to metro, micro, small town, or rural location as well as an example of a car-transit-walking composite spatial access map in micropolitan areas of Maine.
Author(s): R. Blake Buchalter, Paul R. Gunsalus, Madeleine M. Blazel, Michael W. Kenyhercz, Jarrod E. Dalton
Citation: PL0S One, 20(9), e0330427
Date: 09/2025
view details
Provides a multi-modal spatial access measure to examine disparities in access to primary and specialty care across variable geographies. Includes data on spatial access to providers according to metro, micro, small town, or rural location as well as an example of a car-transit-walking composite spatial access map in micropolitan areas of Maine.
Author(s): R. Blake Buchalter, Paul R. Gunsalus, Madeleine M. Blazel, Michael W. Kenyhercz, Jarrod E. Dalton
Citation: PL0S One, 20(9), e0330427
Date: 09/2025
view details
Navigating Hepatitis C Care: Knowledge Gaps and Access Barriers Among Young Women Who Inject Drugs in Rural Appalachia
Presents a study on the barriers to hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and treatment for young women who inject drugs (YWID) in rural areas. Aims to identify the factors influencing the accessibility of HCV testing and treatment for YWID in rural Appalachian, Ohio. Bases findings on interviews with 30 YWID aged 18-35 and discusses interpersonal and community barriers to care.
Author(s): Cheyenne R. Wagi, Renee McDowell, Anyssa Wright, et al.
Citation: PLOS ONE
Date: 09/2025
view details
Presents a study on the barriers to hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and treatment for young women who inject drugs (YWID) in rural areas. Aims to identify the factors influencing the accessibility of HCV testing and treatment for YWID in rural Appalachian, Ohio. Bases findings on interviews with 30 YWID aged 18-35 and discusses interpersonal and community barriers to care.
Author(s): Cheyenne R. Wagi, Renee McDowell, Anyssa Wright, et al.
Citation: PLOS ONE
Date: 09/2025
view details