Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access
From Closure to Comeback: A Rural ICU Is Reborn
A podcast episode examining how rural hospitals can utilize technology and partnerships to provide local healthcare access to residents. Provides a discussion between CEOs of hospitals focusing on the reopening of an intensive care unit (ICU) at a Critical Access Hospital (CAH).
Author(s): Tom Haederle, Marc Boom, Mark Boucot
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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A podcast episode examining how rural hospitals can utilize technology and partnerships to provide local healthcare access to residents. Provides a discussion between CEOs of hospitals focusing on the reopening of an intensive care unit (ICU) at a Critical Access Hospital (CAH).
Author(s): Tom Haederle, Marc Boom, Mark Boucot
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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WIC Participant and Local Agency Staff Perspectives on Increased Cash-Value Benefits for Fruits and Vegetables Within an American Indian Tribal Organization
Explores the perceived impacts of increased cash-value benefits for fruits and vegetables through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program of Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in tribal communities associated with the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona. Bases findings on a survey of participants and staff on their perceptions about the increase and its effect on their ability to access a more nutritious diet.
Author(s): Emily M Melnick, Francesco Acciai, Nicole Vaudrin O'Reilly, et al.
Citation: Maternal & Child Nutrition, 22(1), e70148
Date: 03/2026
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Explores the perceived impacts of increased cash-value benefits for fruits and vegetables through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program of Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in tribal communities associated with the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona. Bases findings on a survey of participants and staff on their perceptions about the increase and its effect on their ability to access a more nutritious diet.
Author(s): Emily M Melnick, Francesco Acciai, Nicole Vaudrin O'Reilly, et al.
Citation: Maternal & Child Nutrition, 22(1), e70148
Date: 03/2026
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Expanding Behavioral Health Teams in Care Deserts With Community Health Workers and Peer Support Specialists
Report explores the role community health workers can play in expanding behavioral health access to rural areas and care deserts. Highlights how community health workers can support behavioral health access through outreach activities, serving as community liaisons, screening for behavioral health concerns, and providing community education, among other measures.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Report explores the role community health workers can play in expanding behavioral health access to rural areas and care deserts. Highlights how community health workers can support behavioral health access through outreach activities, serving as community liaisons, screening for behavioral health concerns, and providing community education, among other measures.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Expanding Access to Community Health Workers in Rural Communities
Webinar recording examines community health worker (CHW) programs in Oregon, Tennessee, and Virginia that support access to essential health services in rural areas. Focuses on integrating CHWs into interdisciplinary teams within health systems, program design, CHW training and certification, and more. Transcript available below description.
Author(s): Megan Terrell, Annie Cloke, Brea Burke, et al.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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Webinar recording examines community health worker (CHW) programs in Oregon, Tennessee, and Virginia that support access to essential health services in rural areas. Focuses on integrating CHWs into interdisciplinary teams within health systems, program design, CHW training and certification, and more. Transcript available below description.
Author(s): Megan Terrell, Annie Cloke, Brea Burke, et al.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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Scaling Medical-Dental Integration Nationally: Outcomes from the MORE Care Initiative
Presents a study evaluating the implementation of the MORE Care initiative, an oral health integration model, into six rural counties in Ohio. Details the outcomes of the two year pilot program, including oral health assessments, fluoride varnish, and dental referral systems implemented into primary care practices.
Author(s): Matthew Vermillion, Christine Kanan, Caroline McLeod, Caroline McLeod, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 14
Date: 02/2026
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Presents a study evaluating the implementation of the MORE Care initiative, an oral health integration model, into six rural counties in Ohio. Details the outcomes of the two year pilot program, including oral health assessments, fluoride varnish, and dental referral systems implemented into primary care practices.
Author(s): Matthew Vermillion, Christine Kanan, Caroline McLeod, Caroline McLeod, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 14
Date: 02/2026
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Looking Ahead: FY 2026 Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Preview Webinar
Webinar recording featuring speakers from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) sharing an overview of their 2026 priorities. It covers planned competitive community-based funding opportunities, resources, and opportunities to improve rural health related to healthcare workforce, behavioral health, healthcare network development, and more.
Additional links: Audio Recording, Webinar Slides
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
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Webinar recording featuring speakers from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) sharing an overview of their 2026 priorities. It covers planned competitive community-based funding opportunities, resources, and opportunities to improve rural health related to healthcare workforce, behavioral health, healthcare network development, and more.
Additional links: Audio Recording, Webinar Slides
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
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NACH Facts and Figures: 2025 Edition
Provides an overview of hospice and palliative care in the United States. Includes information and data on patient characteristics, access to care, reimbursement, barriers and facilitators to care, quality of care, and more. Includes data on geographic locations of hospice services and patients.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Alliance for Care at Home
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Provides an overview of hospice and palliative care in the United States. Includes information and data on patient characteristics, access to care, reimbursement, barriers and facilitators to care, quality of care, and more. Includes data on geographic locations of hospice services and patients.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Alliance for Care at Home
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Community Health Workers in Iowa – An Urban and Rural Perspective
A video that details the impact of community health workers (CHWs) on population health in Iowa and their role in removing healthcare barriers in both rural and urban communities. Transcript available below description.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
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A video that details the impact of community health workers (CHWs) on population health in Iowa and their role in removing healthcare barriers in both rural and urban communities. Transcript available below description.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
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Sociodemographic Drivers of Recruitment and Attrition in Digital Neurological Research: Longitudinal Cohort Study
Examines demographic differences in participation in a remote speech capture study with digital recruitment via the Mayo Clinic patient portal system. Includes data on enrollment and completion times by rural or urban area, among other factors.
Author(s): Peyman Nejat, Ashley D. Bachman, Vicki M. Stubbs, et al.
Citation: Journal of Medical Internet Research, 28, e83432
Date: 02/2026
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Examines demographic differences in participation in a remote speech capture study with digital recruitment via the Mayo Clinic patient portal system. Includes data on enrollment and completion times by rural or urban area, among other factors.
Author(s): Peyman Nejat, Ashley D. Bachman, Vicki M. Stubbs, et al.
Citation: Journal of Medical Internet Research, 28, e83432
Date: 02/2026
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The Changing Landscape of School-Based Health Centers and Other School-Based Clinics in California, 2011–2023
Examines access to school-based health centers (SBHCs) and other school-based clinics (OSBCs) in California and their role in providing medical care to under-resourced communities. Analyzes availability of SBHCs and OSBCs between 2011 and 2023, services provided, and the school's characteristics, including location in large city, small/medium city, suburb, or town/rural.
Author(s): Katherine M. Rancaño, Ashley M. Kranz, Jessica Richard, et al.
Citation: Journal of School Health, 96(4), e70126
Date: 02/2026
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Examines access to school-based health centers (SBHCs) and other school-based clinics (OSBCs) in California and their role in providing medical care to under-resourced communities. Analyzes availability of SBHCs and OSBCs between 2011 and 2023, services provided, and the school's characteristics, including location in large city, small/medium city, suburb, or town/rural.
Author(s): Katherine M. Rancaño, Ashley M. Kranz, Jessica Richard, et al.
Citation: Journal of School Health, 96(4), e70126
Date: 02/2026
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