Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access
Supply, Distribution, and Access to Cardiologists, Oncologists, and Pulmonologists in the Rural and Urban U.S.
Describes the changes in the supply and demand of four specialists - cardiologists, neurologists, oncologists, and pulmonologists - between 2012 and 2022. Compares data on the ratio of these specialists per 100,000 population across urban, large rural, and small/isolated rural areas. Explores the socioeconomic characteristics of rural counties with and without one of these specialists in 2022. Summarizes perspectives of rural health system leaders on how specialty care is accessed by and delivered to rural patients.
Author(s): Signe Burchim, David Evans, Nathan Maris, et al.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Describes the changes in the supply and demand of four specialists - cardiologists, neurologists, oncologists, and pulmonologists - between 2012 and 2022. Compares data on the ratio of these specialists per 100,000 population across urban, large rural, and small/isolated rural areas. Explores the socioeconomic characteristics of rural counties with and without one of these specialists in 2022. Summarizes perspectives of rural health system leaders on how specialty care is accessed by and delivered to rural patients.
Author(s): Signe Burchim, David Evans, Nathan Maris, et al.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Geographic Disparities by Rural-Urban Status and Drive Time to Care in Tobacco Treatment for COPD
Explores the potential relationship between the drive-time to tobacco dependence treatment (TDT) services and the development of COPD among smokers. Details distances of rural smokers to TDT services. Draws from Veterans Affairs data and breaks down data by demographic characteristics, treatment type, and rural versus urban location, among other measures.
Author(s): Arianne K. Baldomero, Anne C. Melzer, Ken M. Kunisaki, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(8), e2528898
Date: 08/2025
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Explores the potential relationship between the drive-time to tobacco dependence treatment (TDT) services and the development of COPD among smokers. Details distances of rural smokers to TDT services. Draws from Veterans Affairs data and breaks down data by demographic characteristics, treatment type, and rural versus urban location, among other measures.
Author(s): Arianne K. Baldomero, Anne C. Melzer, Ken M. Kunisaki, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(8), e2528898
Date: 08/2025
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Trends in Mental Health Care Utilization in Rural and Nonrural Areas, 2019-2023
Examines changes in mental healthcare utilization between 2019 and 2023. Utilizes National Health Interview Survey data to compare rural and nonrural trends related to mental health utilization, therapy, and medication. Discusses the impact of telehealth options and the COVID-19 pandemic on mental healthcare availability.
Author(s): Bryce J. Stanley
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(3), e70074
Date: 08/2025
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Examines changes in mental healthcare utilization between 2019 and 2023. Utilizes National Health Interview Survey data to compare rural and nonrural trends related to mental health utilization, therapy, and medication. Discusses the impact of telehealth options and the COVID-19 pandemic on mental healthcare availability.
Author(s): Bryce J. Stanley
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(3), e70074
Date: 08/2025
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Barriers to Accessible and Affordable Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Care for Older Adults
Discusses challenges in accessing healthcare for mental health and substance use disorders for older adults. Challenges discussed include workforce shortages in rural areas, Medicare regulations, stigma, health insurance coverage, and more.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: AARP Public Policy Institute
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Discusses challenges in accessing healthcare for mental health and substance use disorders for older adults. Challenges discussed include workforce shortages in rural areas, Medicare regulations, stigma, health insurance coverage, and more.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: AARP Public Policy Institute
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Growth of Health IT-Enabled Patient Engagement Capabilities Among U.S. Hospitals: 2021-2024
Describes hospital trends regarding the adoption of capabilities that enable patient access to their electronic health information, including the ability to view, download, transmit, and import data from other organizations into their patient portal; view clinical notes; and access information through apps between 2021-2024. Presents data and analysis by hospital type, including Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and rural hospitals, on the percent of hospitals that app-based and Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resource® (FHIR)-enabled patient engagement capabilities.
Author(s): Meghan Hufstader Gabriel, Chelsea Richwine, Priscilla Owusu-Mensah, Catherine Strawley
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
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Describes hospital trends regarding the adoption of capabilities that enable patient access to their electronic health information, including the ability to view, download, transmit, and import data from other organizations into their patient portal; view clinical notes; and access information through apps between 2021-2024. Presents data and analysis by hospital type, including Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and rural hospitals, on the percent of hospitals that app-based and Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resource® (FHIR)-enabled patient engagement capabilities.
Author(s): Meghan Hufstader Gabriel, Chelsea Richwine, Priscilla Owusu-Mensah, Catherine Strawley
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
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Analysis of Factors Driving HPV Vaccination Coverage and Associated Cost Savings in the United States
Analyzes a variety of healthcare policy, healthcare access, demographic, and geographic factors to identify those factors impacting human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine coverage. Discusses policy changes to improve uptake and potential cost savings for reduced cancer rates.
Author(s): Shanshan Wang, Sanjana Muthukrishnan, Sabiha Quddus, Susan H. Manning, Heather M. Brandt
Citation: BMC Public Health, 25, 2833
Date: 08/2025
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Analyzes a variety of healthcare policy, healthcare access, demographic, and geographic factors to identify those factors impacting human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine coverage. Discusses policy changes to improve uptake and potential cost savings for reduced cancer rates.
Author(s): Shanshan Wang, Sanjana Muthukrishnan, Sabiha Quddus, Susan H. Manning, Heather M. Brandt
Citation: BMC Public Health, 25, 2833
Date: 08/2025
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Time is Tissue: How CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital is Revolutionizing Rural Cardiac Care
Podcast episode discussing how CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital in Durango, Colorado, uses a communications platform that connects emergency medical services and pre-hospital providers with patients who are having chest pain and cardiac-related issues with on-call cardiologists.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Podcast episode discussing how CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital in Durango, Colorado, uses a communications platform that connects emergency medical services and pre-hospital providers with patients who are having chest pain and cardiac-related issues with on-call cardiologists.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Geographic Disparities in Access to Outpatient Stroke Rehabilitation in Texas
Examines rural-urban disparities in access to and use of outpatient stroke rehabilitation services in Texas, utilizing 2016-2019 Medicare claims data in addition to a survey of Texas clinics.
Author(s): Joseph Wozny, Melissa Howard, Susan Doherty, et al.
Citation: PLOS ONE, 20(8), e0328267.
Date: 08/2025
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Examines rural-urban disparities in access to and use of outpatient stroke rehabilitation services in Texas, utilizing 2016-2019 Medicare claims data in addition to a survey of Texas clinics.
Author(s): Joseph Wozny, Melissa Howard, Susan Doherty, et al.
Citation: PLOS ONE, 20(8), e0328267.
Date: 08/2025
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2025 Indiana State Rural Health Report
Examines the state of rural health in Indiana and provides data on the health of rural citizens. Focuses on access, healthcare workforce shortages, health insurance, healthcare facilities availability, mobile health, telehealth services, maternal and infant health, mental health, substance use, and rural health finances and funding.
Author(s): Amnah Anwar, Kasia Hamman, Anureet Sandhu, et al.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Indiana Rural Health Association
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Examines the state of rural health in Indiana and provides data on the health of rural citizens. Focuses on access, healthcare workforce shortages, health insurance, healthcare facilities availability, mobile health, telehealth services, maternal and infant health, mental health, substance use, and rural health finances and funding.
Author(s): Amnah Anwar, Kasia Hamman, Anureet Sandhu, et al.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Indiana Rural Health Association
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Examining Geographic Disparities in Access to No-Cost Naloxone in North Carolina: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Naloxone Distribution Programs
Presents a study exploring the geographic distribution of no-cost naloxone in North Carolina. Bases findings on a survey of naloxone distributors in the state and breaks down data by user demographics and distributor type.
Author(s): Grace Marley, Caroline Shubel, Carolyn T. Thorpe, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(3), e70069
Date: 08/2025
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Presents a study exploring the geographic distribution of no-cost naloxone in North Carolina. Bases findings on a survey of naloxone distributors in the state and breaks down data by user demographics and distributor type.
Author(s): Grace Marley, Caroline Shubel, Carolyn T. Thorpe, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(3), e70069
Date: 08/2025
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