Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access
Disparities in Timely Access to Certified Stroke Care Among US Census Tracts, by Prevalence of Health Risk Factors
Examines census tract-level demographic and health characteristics associated with drive times of greater than 60 minutes from certified stroke care or advanced stroke care in the contiguous United States. Highlights rural access disparities and discusses implications for health practice to improve stroke care access in underserved areas.
Author(s): Linda Schieb, Joshua Tootoo, Melissa Fiffer, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22, 240429
Date: 07/2025
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Examines census tract-level demographic and health characteristics associated with drive times of greater than 60 minutes from certified stroke care or advanced stroke care in the contiguous United States. Highlights rural access disparities and discusses implications for health practice to improve stroke care access in underserved areas.
Author(s): Linda Schieb, Joshua Tootoo, Melissa Fiffer, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22, 240429
Date: 07/2025
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Empowering Patients to Participate in Clinical Trials
Discusses the importance of clinical trials as well as the barriers that impact participant enrollment and retention. Provides strategies and policy suggestions to improve participation in clinical trials for various populations, including those in rural and remote areas.
Author(s): Allison Kolbe, Agata Bodie
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Discusses the importance of clinical trials as well as the barriers that impact participant enrollment and retention. Provides strategies and policy suggestions to improve participation in clinical trials for various populations, including those in rural and remote areas.
Author(s): Allison Kolbe, Agata Bodie
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Cancer in Rural America: Improving Access to Clinical Trials and Quality of Oncologic Care
Discusses the importance of rural populations accessing oncologic clinical trials to decrease cancer morbidity and mortality rates in rural areas. Provides rural versus urban patient data on distance from trial sites as well as prevalence of chronic disease. Suggests strategies and policies to improve access to clinical trials.
Author(s): Joseph M. Unger, Barbara L. McAneny, Raymond U. Osarogiagbon
Citation: CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 75(4), 341-361
Date: 07/2025
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Discusses the importance of rural populations accessing oncologic clinical trials to decrease cancer morbidity and mortality rates in rural areas. Provides rural versus urban patient data on distance from trial sites as well as prevalence of chronic disease. Suggests strategies and policies to improve access to clinical trials.
Author(s): Joseph M. Unger, Barbara L. McAneny, Raymond U. Osarogiagbon
Citation: CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 75(4), 341-361
Date: 07/2025
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EMS Service Integration in American Indian and Native Alaskan Rural Communities
Highlights several initiatives aimed at expanding emergency medical services (EMS) in tribal communities. Explores the role of tribal sovereignty, cost effectiveness, and infrastructure improvements in expanding and optimizing EMS in tribal communities.
Author(s): Chelsea Tsasse, John Shufeldt
Citation: AMA Journal of Ethics, 27(7), 525-529
Date: 07/2025
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Highlights several initiatives aimed at expanding emergency medical services (EMS) in tribal communities. Explores the role of tribal sovereignty, cost effectiveness, and infrastructure improvements in expanding and optimizing EMS in tribal communities.
Author(s): Chelsea Tsasse, John Shufeldt
Citation: AMA Journal of Ethics, 27(7), 525-529
Date: 07/2025
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Access and Quality of Mental Health Services in Rural and Urban America
Research brief documenting recent trends in mental healthcare access and quality in urban and rural communities. Features state-level maps showing locations of mental health facilities, a county-level map with shadings showing driving distances to any mental health facility or access to telehealth, and statistics on ZIP code area demographics, with breakdowns by urban, large rural, and small rural area.
Author(s): Peiyin Hung, Sophia N.D. Negaro, Rachel M. Hantman, et al.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
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Research brief documenting recent trends in mental healthcare access and quality in urban and rural communities. Features state-level maps showing locations of mental health facilities, a county-level map with shadings showing driving distances to any mental health facility or access to telehealth, and statistics on ZIP code area demographics, with breakdowns by urban, large rural, and small rural area.
Author(s): Peiyin Hung, Sophia N.D. Negaro, Rachel M. Hantman, et al.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
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Looking Back on the Origins of the NMTC New Markets Tax Credit Coalition
Provides an overview of The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Coalition projects and investments from the 1980s to present day. Includes stories related to rural job creation and rural economic development.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: The New Markets Tax Credit Coalition
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Provides an overview of The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Coalition projects and investments from the 1980s to present day. Includes stories related to rural job creation and rural economic development.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: The New Markets Tax Credit Coalition
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The Universal Service Fund and Related FCC Broadband Programs: Overview and Considerations for Congress
Provides an overview of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Universal Service Fund (USF) and its four programs: the High Cost Program, Lifeline Program, Rural Health Care Program, and Schools and Libraries Program. Describes legislation introduced in the 118th Congress that would impact the USF programs. Outlines considerations for Congress and five areas for possible reform.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Provides an overview of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Universal Service Fund (USF) and its four programs: the High Cost Program, Lifeline Program, Rural Health Care Program, and Schools and Libraries Program. Describes legislation introduced in the 118th Congress that would impact the USF programs. Outlines considerations for Congress and five areas for possible reform.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Alaska Community Needs Assessment, 2025-2027
Results of a 2024-2025 series of surveys that gather household-level data on individualized, local needs in the areas of education, employment, workforce development, food security, and access to healthcare resources. Features demographics and statistics on disabilities, poverty, education level, rural housing, healthcare access, deaths of despair, substance use, and supply and demand of dental, mental health, and primary care providers.
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Inc.
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Results of a 2024-2025 series of surveys that gather household-level data on individualized, local needs in the areas of education, employment, workforce development, food security, and access to healthcare resources. Features demographics and statistics on disabilities, poverty, education level, rural housing, healthcare access, deaths of despair, substance use, and supply and demand of dental, mental health, and primary care providers.
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Inc.
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The Role of Rurality, Travel Time, and Neighborhood Socioeconomics on Patterns of Adjuvant Therapy Receipt among Patients with Endometrial Cancer
Analyzes associations between rurality, distance to care, and community socioeconomics on receipt of any adjuvant therapy, including vaginal brachytherapy, external beam radiation, and chemotherapy, for the treatment for endometrial cancer. Utilizes SEER data of patients diagnosed between 2006 and 2017.
Author(s): Victoria M. Petermann, Stephanie B. Wheeler, Jennifer L. Lund, et al.
Citation: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 34(8), 1277-1285
Date: 06/2025
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Analyzes associations between rurality, distance to care, and community socioeconomics on receipt of any adjuvant therapy, including vaginal brachytherapy, external beam radiation, and chemotherapy, for the treatment for endometrial cancer. Utilizes SEER data of patients diagnosed between 2006 and 2017.
Author(s): Victoria M. Petermann, Stephanie B. Wheeler, Jennifer L. Lund, et al.
Citation: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 34(8), 1277-1285
Date: 06/2025
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School-Based Health Centers and the Utilization of Primary Care in Rural Communities
Examines utilization patterns of school-based health centers (SBHCs) in 4 rural New York counties. Utilizes 2011–2017 electronic health record data to analyze students with or without access to SBHCs, utilization of SBHCs, and SBHC services used, such as primary care, immunizations, and chronic disease management.
Author(s): Xue Zhang, Sharon Tennyson, Chris L Kjolhede, Wendy M Brunner
Citation: American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 69(4), 107962
Date: 06/2025
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Examines utilization patterns of school-based health centers (SBHCs) in 4 rural New York counties. Utilizes 2011–2017 electronic health record data to analyze students with or without access to SBHCs, utilization of SBHCs, and SBHC services used, such as primary care, immunizations, and chronic disease management.
Author(s): Xue Zhang, Sharon Tennyson, Chris L Kjolhede, Wendy M Brunner
Citation: American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 69(4), 107962
Date: 06/2025
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