Rural Health
News by Topic: Substance use and misuse
Nov 5, 2025 - Offers data showing rural and urban differences in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) incidence and factors contributing to those higher rates. Discusses smoking, occupational hazards, access to healthcare, and social determinants of health. Notes effective approaches for overcoming these contributors to COPD.
Source: Loma Linda University Health News
Sep 29, 2025 - Describes a long-term research study investigating brain development in children with exposure to opioids and other substances. The study aims to understand potential treatment options for opioid use-disorder. Discusses recruiting rural families including barriers and facilitators to participation.
Source: Cardinal News
Sep 23, 2025 - Announces revisions to the State & Congressional District Profiles Dashboard to include metrics relevant for The Rural Transformation Fund including workforce shortage area designations, opioid overprescribing counties, and Medicaid coverage data. The Dashboard was created in partnership with the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) and National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH).
Source: Stroudwater Associates
Sep 18, 2025 - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is seeking comments on a new information collection for a National Roadside Survey (NRS). NHTSA intends to use the data to conduct two studies related to alcohol and other drug prevalence among drivers and other road users. Comments are due by October 20, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 16, 2025 - Discusses the use of mobile clinics in North Carolina to increase access to medications for opioid use disorder in rural and other low access areas. Discusses distance to care and transportation barriers for opioid treatment programs as well as stigma.
Source: North Carolina Health News