Rural Health
Resources by State: North Carolina
North Carolina Mental Health & Substance Use Services Workforce Data 2024 Snapshot: Certified Peer Support Specialists
Presents statistics on North Carolina peer support specialists, including demographics, rate per 10,000 population with breakdowns by metro and nonmetro areas, and a county-level map showing rate per 10,000 population as of 2024.
Author(s): B.M. Lombardi, J. Headley, M.P. Jimenez, et al.
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organizations: The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center
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Presents statistics on North Carolina peer support specialists, including demographics, rate per 10,000 population with breakdowns by metro and nonmetro areas, and a county-level map showing rate per 10,000 population as of 2024.
Author(s): B.M. Lombardi, J. Headley, M.P. Jimenez, et al.
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organizations: The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center
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North Carolina Mental Health & Substance Use Services Workforce Data 2024 Snapshot: Certified Community Health Workers
Presents statistics on numbers of community health workers (CHWs) in North Carolina with breakdowns by metro and nonmetro areas, statistics on certification level, and a county-level map showing numbers of CHWs per 10,000 population as of 2024.
Author(s): B.M. Lombardi, J. Headley, M.P. Jimenez, et al.
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organizations: The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center
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Presents statistics on numbers of community health workers (CHWs) in North Carolina with breakdowns by metro and nonmetro areas, statistics on certification level, and a county-level map showing numbers of CHWs per 10,000 population as of 2024.
Author(s): B.M. Lombardi, J. Headley, M.P. Jimenez, et al.
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organizations: The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center
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North Carolina Mental Health & Substance Use Services Workforce Data 2024 Snapshot: Addiction Counselors
Offers statistics on number of addiction counselors in North Carolina, with breakdowns by type; demographics; county-level maps showing number of licensed clinical addiction specialists and certified drug and alcohol counselors per 10,000 population; and metro and nonmetro rate to 10,000 population by credential type, as of 2024.
Author(s): B.M. Lombardi, J. Headley, M.P. Jimenez, et al.
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organizations: The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center
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Offers statistics on number of addiction counselors in North Carolina, with breakdowns by type; demographics; county-level maps showing number of licensed clinical addiction specialists and certified drug and alcohol counselors per 10,000 population; and metro and nonmetro rate to 10,000 population by credential type, as of 2024.
Author(s): B.M. Lombardi, J. Headley, M.P. Jimenez, et al.
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organizations: The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center
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Integrated Care for Kids (InCK) Model: Evaluation Report 3
Presents findings from the first two years of the implementation of the Integrated Care for Kids (InCK) Model, which aims to improve health outcomes for Medicaid-enrolled children with complex physical and behavioral health needs. Provides an overview of the InCK Model and profiles each InCK award recipient's model; the impacts of the InCK Model on navigation and coordination, utilization and expenditures, quality of care, and beneficiary and caregiver experience of care; and the extent to which service changes or disruptions occurred and impacted care delivery. Identifies award recipients serving rural areas.
Additional links: Findings at a Glance
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Abt Associates, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Presents findings from the first two years of the implementation of the Integrated Care for Kids (InCK) Model, which aims to improve health outcomes for Medicaid-enrolled children with complex physical and behavioral health needs. Provides an overview of the InCK Model and profiles each InCK award recipient's model; the impacts of the InCK Model on navigation and coordination, utilization and expenditures, quality of care, and beneficiary and caregiver experience of care; and the extent to which service changes or disruptions occurred and impacted care delivery. Identifies award recipients serving rural areas.
Additional links: Findings at a Glance
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Abt Associates, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Navigating Dual Burdens: Financial Burdens and Travel Burdens Among Rural-Dwelling Cancer Survivors
Evaluates the significance simultaneous financial toxicity and healthcare-related travel burden among 12 cancer survivors living in rural North Carolina. Details cancer survivors' responses to financial and travel burdens, including discussion of cost-saving methods, travel strategies, shared burden with caregivers, experiences with financial assistance programs, and more.
Author(s): Arrianna Marie Planey, Michelle L. Manning, Mindy Gellin, et al.
Citation: Cancer Control, 33
Date: 04/2026
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Evaluates the significance simultaneous financial toxicity and healthcare-related travel burden among 12 cancer survivors living in rural North Carolina. Details cancer survivors' responses to financial and travel burdens, including discussion of cost-saving methods, travel strategies, shared burden with caregivers, experiences with financial assistance programs, and more.
Author(s): Arrianna Marie Planey, Michelle L. Manning, Mindy Gellin, et al.
Citation: Cancer Control, 33
Date: 04/2026
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County-Level Social Determinants of Health and Suicide Mortality Trends Among Formerly Incarcerated Persons in North Carolina, 2010–2018
Assesses how county-level factors including educational attainment, unemployment, poverty, aging, racial composition, and rurality are associated with suicide mortality among formerly incarcerated people in North Carolina. Features statistics including mortality rate per 100,000 with breakdowns by year from 2010-2018 and rural or urban county.
Author(s): Monica E. Swilley-Martinez, Brian W. Pence, Kate Vinita Fitch, et al.
Citation: Heath & Justice, 14, 20
Date: 04/2026
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Assesses how county-level factors including educational attainment, unemployment, poverty, aging, racial composition, and rurality are associated with suicide mortality among formerly incarcerated people in North Carolina. Features statistics including mortality rate per 100,000 with breakdowns by year from 2010-2018 and rural or urban county.
Author(s): Monica E. Swilley-Martinez, Brian W. Pence, Kate Vinita Fitch, et al.
Citation: Heath & Justice, 14, 20
Date: 04/2026
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Access to Phones and Use of International Numbers Among Farmworkers in North Carolina, 2023–2024
Explores access to and use of phones among migrant and seasonal farmworkers in North Carolina to identify barriers to managing healthcare and reporting emergencies. Discusses how international phone numbers impact participation with the healthcare system.
Author(s): Abdul G. Zahra, Leslie E. Cofie, Catherine E. LePrevost, et al.
Citation: Journal of Agromedicine, 2026
Date: 04/2026
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Explores access to and use of phones among migrant and seasonal farmworkers in North Carolina to identify barriers to managing healthcare and reporting emergencies. Discusses how international phone numbers impact participation with the healthcare system.
Author(s): Abdul G. Zahra, Leslie E. Cofie, Catherine E. LePrevost, et al.
Citation: Journal of Agromedicine, 2026
Date: 04/2026
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Exploring Systemic Challenges in the Western North Carolina Dental Safety Net: A Qualitative Analysis
Describes experiences of individuals working within the western North Carolina dental safety net, to identify barriers and strategies required to strengthen delivery of oral health care in high-need rural areas. Based on interviews with 17 oral health stakeholders between June-August 2024.
Author(s): Blaire Mirmow, Bill Milner, Nadia Laniado
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 8(1), 42-59.
Date: 04/2026
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Describes experiences of individuals working within the western North Carolina dental safety net, to identify barriers and strategies required to strengthen delivery of oral health care in high-need rural areas. Based on interviews with 17 oral health stakeholders between June-August 2024.
Author(s): Blaire Mirmow, Bill Milner, Nadia Laniado
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 8(1), 42-59.
Date: 04/2026
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Rural Community Perspectives on Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina
Assesses community perspectives of long-term recovery in two rural western North Carolina counties severely affected by Hurricane Helene. Focuses on housing, communication, transportation, mental health, and food insecurity.
Author(s): Jennifer A. Horney, Lilly Moreau
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 8(1), 60-68
Date: 04/2026
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Assesses community perspectives of long-term recovery in two rural western North Carolina counties severely affected by Hurricane Helene. Focuses on housing, communication, transportation, mental health, and food insecurity.
Author(s): Jennifer A. Horney, Lilly Moreau
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 8(1), 60-68
Date: 04/2026
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Impact of Food Literacy Education on Rural, Uninsured Patients With Diabetes
Examines changes in food literacy among 140 diabetic or prediabetic adults without insurance participating in the Fresh Start Food is Medicine (FIM) + Food Literacy intervention, which provided group classes on food literacy, direct provision of produce, and health coaching in rural, eastern North Carolina. Provides data on racial and ethnic disparities in food literacy before and after participation.
Author(s): Raven Breinholt, Brandon J. Stroud, Lauren R. Sastre
Citation: Journal of Nutrition and Behavior, 58, 379-393
Date: 04/2026
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Examines changes in food literacy among 140 diabetic or prediabetic adults without insurance participating in the Fresh Start Food is Medicine (FIM) + Food Literacy intervention, which provided group classes on food literacy, direct provision of produce, and health coaching in rural, eastern North Carolina. Provides data on racial and ethnic disparities in food literacy before and after participation.
Author(s): Raven Breinholt, Brandon J. Stroud, Lauren R. Sastre
Citation: Journal of Nutrition and Behavior, 58, 379-393
Date: 04/2026
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