Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access
Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening in Rural Communities: A Practical Guide
Provides an overview of rural colorectal cancer (CRC) disparities and guidance for community organizations on improving CRC screening in rural areas. Includes recommendations related to recognizing and addressing barriers to screening, organizational planning and strategy, service delivery models, and more.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: American Cancer Society National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (ACS NCCRT)
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Provides an overview of rural colorectal cancer (CRC) disparities and guidance for community organizations on improving CRC screening in rural areas. Includes recommendations related to recognizing and addressing barriers to screening, organizational planning and strategy, service delivery models, and more.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: American Cancer Society National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (ACS NCCRT)
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Rural Health Reimagined: Policy Support & Change for Rural Aging in New York
Outlines rural relevant recommendations developed at an April 2025 summit in preparation for the New York statewide Master Plan for Aging (MPA). Recommendations cover topics including access to healthcare, social isolation, ageism, supporting informal caregivers, strengthening the health workforce, and age-friendly practices in rural communities.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: New York State Association for Rural Health
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Outlines rural relevant recommendations developed at an April 2025 summit in preparation for the New York statewide Master Plan for Aging (MPA). Recommendations cover topics including access to healthcare, social isolation, ageism, supporting informal caregivers, strengthening the health workforce, and age-friendly practices in rural communities.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: New York State Association for Rural Health
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Pathways to Sustainability: A Road Map for Child Psychiatry Access Programs
Discusses the adolescent mental health crisis in Indiana with a focus on workforce shortages and access to mental health treatment. Provides county-level data on geographic distribution of Indiana's child psychiatry workforce as well as the Be Happy mental health program. Includes information on various workforce program models, their effectiveness and level of sustainability, and potential application in Indiana.
Author(s): Mykayla Moore, Madison Bott, Hannah Maxey
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Bowen Center for Health Workforce Research and Policy
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Discusses the adolescent mental health crisis in Indiana with a focus on workforce shortages and access to mental health treatment. Provides county-level data on geographic distribution of Indiana's child psychiatry workforce as well as the Be Happy mental health program. Includes information on various workforce program models, their effectiveness and level of sustainability, and potential application in Indiana.
Author(s): Mykayla Moore, Madison Bott, Hannah Maxey
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Bowen Center for Health Workforce Research and Policy
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The Impact of Rural Hospital Closures and Mergers on Health System Ecologies: A Scoping Review
Examines 46 studies on rural hospital closures and mergers between 2010 to 2023, with a focus on understanding health system impacts, finances, workforce, utilization, access to facilities and services, and community and economic well-being.
Author(s): Alison Coates, Janice Probst, Kanika Sarwal, Suhaib Riaz, Agnes Grudniewicz
Citation: Medical Care Research and Review, 82(5)
Date: 07/2025
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Examines 46 studies on rural hospital closures and mergers between 2010 to 2023, with a focus on understanding health system impacts, finances, workforce, utilization, access to facilities and services, and community and economic well-being.
Author(s): Alison Coates, Janice Probst, Kanika Sarwal, Suhaib Riaz, Agnes Grudniewicz
Citation: Medical Care Research and Review, 82(5)
Date: 07/2025
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Beyond Our Walls: Leveraging Pharmacies for STI Services and Care
Profiles NACCHO and CDC-funded partnerships between local health departments and pharmacies to expand sexually-transmitted infection (STI) services and access to care in their communities. See Appendix 2 for discussion of observations and implementation of HIV/STI programming in rural Chaffee County, Colorado.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Association of County and City Health Officials
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Profiles NACCHO and CDC-funded partnerships between local health departments and pharmacies to expand sexually-transmitted infection (STI) services and access to care in their communities. See Appendix 2 for discussion of observations and implementation of HIV/STI programming in rural Chaffee County, Colorado.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Association of County and City Health Officials
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Adult Ratings of Neighborhood Medical Care Availability in Nonmetropolitan and Metropolitan Areas, United States 2021
Statistical brief examining perceptions of medical care availability and quality in nonmetropolitan and metropolitan areas, utilizing 2021 AHRQ Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component (MEPS-HC) data. Includes data breakdowns by level of rurality and age group, insurance status, physical health status, and more.
Author(s): Sandra L. Decker, Xue Wu
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Statistical brief examining perceptions of medical care availability and quality in nonmetropolitan and metropolitan areas, utilizing 2021 AHRQ Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component (MEPS-HC) data. Includes data breakdowns by level of rurality and age group, insurance status, physical health status, and more.
Author(s): Sandra L. Decker, Xue Wu
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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New Design Opens the Door to Improved Patient Care at Midwest Medical Center
Profiles the Midwest Medical Center, a hospital in rural Illinois. Discusses the building's remodel and collaboration with the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities program.
Author(s): Andrea Imel
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Rural Development
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Profiles the Midwest Medical Center, a hospital in rural Illinois. Discusses the building's remodel and collaboration with the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities program.
Author(s): Andrea Imel
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Rural Development
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Interstate Occupational Licensure Arrangements to Expand Access to Behavioral Health Services
Policy brief describing state-based provisions to expand behavioral health services through interstate licensure arrangements for providers. Discusses potential impact on provision of behavioral health services, including telehealth, with a focus on how expanded services might enhance access for rural residents. Features state-level maps showing where legislation has been enacted or introduced, as of November 2024.
Author(s): Natalia V. Oster, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Davis G. Patterson, Lisa A. Garberson, Janessa M. Graves
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Policy brief describing state-based provisions to expand behavioral health services through interstate licensure arrangements for providers. Discusses potential impact on provision of behavioral health services, including telehealth, with a focus on how expanded services might enhance access for rural residents. Features state-level maps showing where legislation has been enacted or introduced, as of November 2024.
Author(s): Natalia V. Oster, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Davis G. Patterson, Lisa A. Garberson, Janessa M. Graves
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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MedPAC Data Book: Health Care Spending and the Medicare Program, 2025
Provides an overview of Medicare spending and highlights data on Medicare beneficiary demographics, dual-eligible beneficiaries, quality of care provided through the Medicare program, and other payer liability. Examines settings of care, including rural-specific provider sites, as they relate to spending, access to care, and profit margins. Compares rural and urban beneficiaries and providers throughout. Chart 6-2 addresses rural hospital closures and Rural Emergency Hospital conversions.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Provides an overview of Medicare spending and highlights data on Medicare beneficiary demographics, dual-eligible beneficiaries, quality of care provided through the Medicare program, and other payer liability. Examines settings of care, including rural-specific provider sites, as they relate to spending, access to care, and profit margins. Compares rural and urban beneficiaries and providers throughout. Chart 6-2 addresses rural hospital closures and Rural Emergency Hospital conversions.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Confronting the Crisis: Actions to Address Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Among Black Women in Rural Georgia
Discusses the issue of maternal mortality among Black women in rural Georgia. Focuses on policy, proposed solutions and strategies, and community-based collaborations that can provide improved maternal healthcare access to rural areas of Georgia.
Author(s): Jalen Robinson, Jaliyah Screen, Carey Roth Bayer
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 07/2025
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Discusses the issue of maternal mortality among Black women in rural Georgia. Focuses on policy, proposed solutions and strategies, and community-based collaborations that can provide improved maternal healthcare access to rural areas of Georgia.
Author(s): Jalen Robinson, Jaliyah Screen, Carey Roth Bayer
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 07/2025
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