Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access
Medicare Advantage Enrollees Have Access to About Half of the Physicians Available to Traditional Medicare Beneficiaries
Explores how provider networks vary across Medicare Advantage plans and when compared to traditional Medicare. Examines the share of physicians available to Medicare Advantage enrollees as a share of physicians available to traditional Medicare beneficiaries by analyzing Medicare Advantage provider directories for 2022. Includes information on the availability of physicians to Medicare Advantage enrollees and traditional Medicare beneficiaries in rural counties.
Author(s): Matthew Rae, Jeannie Fuglesten Biniek, Tricia Neuman, Karen Pollitz
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Explores how provider networks vary across Medicare Advantage plans and when compared to traditional Medicare. Examines the share of physicians available to Medicare Advantage enrollees as a share of physicians available to traditional Medicare beneficiaries by analyzing Medicare Advantage provider directories for 2022. Includes information on the availability of physicians to Medicare Advantage enrollees and traditional Medicare beneficiaries in rural counties.
Author(s): Matthew Rae, Jeannie Fuglesten Biniek, Tricia Neuman, Karen Pollitz
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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2010-2023 County-Level Hospital-Based Obstetric Care Status
County-level dataset containing the county Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) code, county, state, and indicator of whether each county had hospital-based obstetrics care in years 2010-2023. Available for download as an XLS file.
Author(s): Julia D. Interrante, Emily C. Sheffield, Kevan O'Hanlon, Katy Kozhimannil
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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County-level dataset containing the county Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) code, county, state, and indicator of whether each county had hospital-based obstetrics care in years 2010-2023. Available for download as an XLS file.
Author(s): Julia D. Interrante, Emily C. Sheffield, Kevan O'Hanlon, Katy Kozhimannil
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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An Enhanced Method for Identifying Hospital-Based Obstetric Unit Status, Version 2 with Addendum
Results of a study using data from American Hospital Association annual surveys from 2010-2018 to conduct single- and multi-year assessments of obstetric unit status and to identify closures of obstetric units. Compares results obtained through the enhanced method with results of a survey sample of rural hospitals with obstetric units open at the time of the assessment and those with recently closed units. Addendum describes methodology updates since a previously published January 2022 report as well as additional findings using 2010-2023 data.
Additional links: An Enhanced Method for Identifying Hospital-Based Obstetric Unit Status (Version 1, 2022)
Author(s): Julia D. Interrante, Caitlin Carroll, Emily C. Sheffield, et al.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Results of a study using data from American Hospital Association annual surveys from 2010-2018 to conduct single- and multi-year assessments of obstetric unit status and to identify closures of obstetric units. Compares results obtained through the enhanced method with results of a survey sample of rural hospitals with obstetric units open at the time of the assessment and those with recently closed units. Addendum describes methodology updates since a previously published January 2022 report as well as additional findings using 2010-2023 data.
Additional links: An Enhanced Method for Identifying Hospital-Based Obstetric Unit Status (Version 1, 2022)
Author(s): Julia D. Interrante, Caitlin Carroll, Emily C. Sheffield, et al.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Rural Health Transformation Program: Themes Emerging From Stakeholder Input
Describes themes from the stakeholder engagement efforts of five states - Alaska, California, Georgia, North Dakota, and Washington - regarding the Rural Health Transformation Program and application. Discusses modernizing care delivery, leveraging data and technology, investing in workforce development, financial stability and long-term sustainability, and prioritizing population health.
Author(s): Rebecca Lopez, Heather Howard, Jamila McLean
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: State Health & Value Strategies
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Describes themes from the stakeholder engagement efforts of five states - Alaska, California, Georgia, North Dakota, and Washington - regarding the Rural Health Transformation Program and application. Discusses modernizing care delivery, leveraging data and technology, investing in workforce development, financial stability and long-term sustainability, and prioritizing population health.
Author(s): Rebecca Lopez, Heather Howard, Jamila McLean
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: State Health & Value Strategies
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Greater Physician Supply Associated with Lower Mortality in Rural Counties: A 23-Year County-Level Longitudinal Observational Study
Examines the relationship between increasing the primary care physician supply in rural areas and corresponding mortality rates. Provides data from a study conducted between 1992-2014 and analyzes rural versus urban trends in mortality rates and physician supply. Discusses rural healthcare practitioner workforce needs, rural versus urban healthcare disparities, and access to care.
Author(s): Nasim B. Ferdows, Cyrus Kosar, Orestis Panagiotou, Momotazur Rahman
Citation: INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 62
Date: 10/2025
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Examines the relationship between increasing the primary care physician supply in rural areas and corresponding mortality rates. Provides data from a study conducted between 1992-2014 and analyzes rural versus urban trends in mortality rates and physician supply. Discusses rural healthcare practitioner workforce needs, rural versus urban healthcare disparities, and access to care.
Author(s): Nasim B. Ferdows, Cyrus Kosar, Orestis Panagiotou, Momotazur Rahman
Citation: INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 62
Date: 10/2025
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"Gives Us Peace of Mind for Keeping Our Hands Clean": Targeted Handwashing Intervention Increases Water Use and Hand Hygiene in Rural Alaska
Highlights a study on the hygiene outcomes of an intervention that installed Miniature Portable Alternative Sanitation System (Mini-PASS) handwashing stations in 14 rural Alaska Native communities. Details the lack of in-home water service in rural Alaska and the related health consequences. Evaluates the Mini-PASS intervention's outcomes in terms of handwashing station utilization and household water use.
Author(s): Amanda Hansen, Gretchen Day, Marla Wehrli, Laura Eichelberger
Citation: International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 84(1), 2569761
Date: 10/2025
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Highlights a study on the hygiene outcomes of an intervention that installed Miniature Portable Alternative Sanitation System (Mini-PASS) handwashing stations in 14 rural Alaska Native communities. Details the lack of in-home water service in rural Alaska and the related health consequences. Evaluates the Mini-PASS intervention's outcomes in terms of handwashing station utilization and household water use.
Author(s): Amanda Hansen, Gretchen Day, Marla Wehrli, Laura Eichelberger
Citation: International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 84(1), 2569761
Date: 10/2025
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Disparities in Geographic Access to Cardiac Rehabilitation among Socially Vulnerable Communities
Examines geographic and social disparities regarding access to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) care. Analyzes the relationship between CR access and social vulnerability, focusing on county CR availability, population size, distance to CR services, percentage without health insurance, and more. Includes metro versus rural county comparisons and discusses the role of rurality in CR access.
Author(s): Edward W. Chen, WenâChih Wu, Ling Han, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American Heart Association,14, 20
Date: 10/2025
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Examines geographic and social disparities regarding access to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) care. Analyzes the relationship between CR access and social vulnerability, focusing on county CR availability, population size, distance to CR services, percentage without health insurance, and more. Includes metro versus rural county comparisons and discusses the role of rurality in CR access.
Author(s): Edward W. Chen, WenâChih Wu, Ling Han, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American Heart Association,14, 20
Date: 10/2025
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Community Health Workers and Rural Age-Friendly Care
Discusses the roles of community health workers (CHWs) in enhancing access, quality, and affordability of healthcare for older adults in rural areas. Describes challenges and opportunities for integrating CHWs into rural health systems. Offers policy and action recommendations to enable and support CHWs in improving healthcare for rural older adults.
Author(s): Elizabeth Eckstrom, Denise A. Hernadez, Lindsay Miller, Rebecca Yeboah
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Discusses the roles of community health workers (CHWs) in enhancing access, quality, and affordability of healthcare for older adults in rural areas. Describes challenges and opportunities for integrating CHWs into rural health systems. Offers policy and action recommendations to enable and support CHWs in improving healthcare for rural older adults.
Author(s): Elizabeth Eckstrom, Denise A. Hernadez, Lindsay Miller, Rebecca Yeboah
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Barriers to Health Care among Rural Adults by Disability Status
Examines various barriers to healthcare access for rural adults with a disability. Utilizes 2022 National Health Interview Survey data to analyze rural adults with disabilities compared to rural adults without disabilities, with further breakdowns by demographic and socioeconomic variables as well as delayed healthcare due to cost, inability to afford prescription medication, clinic hours or availability, transportation, travel time, or insurance status.
Author(s): Alexis Swendener, Mariana Tuttle, Ingrid Jacobson, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2), e70086
Date: 10/2025
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Examines various barriers to healthcare access for rural adults with a disability. Utilizes 2022 National Health Interview Survey data to analyze rural adults with disabilities compared to rural adults without disabilities, with further breakdowns by demographic and socioeconomic variables as well as delayed healthcare due to cost, inability to afford prescription medication, clinic hours or availability, transportation, travel time, or insurance status.
Author(s): Alexis Swendener, Mariana Tuttle, Ingrid Jacobson, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2), e70086
Date: 10/2025
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Missed Opportunities for Tobacco Dependence Treatment among U.S. Veterans Referred for Lung Cancer Screening: An Observational Cohort Study
Analyzes rates at which tobacco dependence treatment (TDT) is provided to veterans who use tobacco and were referred for lung cancer screening (LCS) at Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and associated clinics in the upper Midwest between September 2022 and September 2023. Breaks down clinical and demographic factors associated with TDT use, including rurality.
Author(s): Anne C. Melzer, Adam Kaplan, Megan Campbell, et al.
Citation: Preventive Medicine Reports, 59, 103263
Date: 10/2025
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Analyzes rates at which tobacco dependence treatment (TDT) is provided to veterans who use tobacco and were referred for lung cancer screening (LCS) at Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and associated clinics in the upper Midwest between September 2022 and September 2023. Breaks down clinical and demographic factors associated with TDT use, including rurality.
Author(s): Anne C. Melzer, Adam Kaplan, Megan Campbell, et al.
Citation: Preventive Medicine Reports, 59, 103263
Date: 10/2025
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