Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Behavioral health
Strategies to Address the Rural Access Gap in Substance Use Services
Describes how community paramedicine and mobile substance use care units can address barriers to substance use treatment in rural areas, and how these programs can be supported at the state level via Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding.
Author(s): Rebekah Falkner
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Academy for State Health Policy
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Describes how community paramedicine and mobile substance use care units can address barriers to substance use treatment in rural areas, and how these programs can be supported at the state level via Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding.
Author(s): Rebekah Falkner
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Academy for State Health Policy
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Rural–Urban Residence in Relation to Cannabis Use Influences and Behaviors among a Sample of US Young Adults Reporting Past‐Month Cannabis Use
Examines how cannabis use behaviors and perceptions vary among rural and urban young adults via an online survey of 1,961 adults aged 18-34 who reported past-month cannabis use. Includes data on perceived harm, coping, frequency of use, driving under the influence, likelihood of mental health diagnosis, consequences of use, and more.
Author(s): Katelyn F. Romm, Amanda Y. Kong, Patricia A. Cavazos-Rehg, Carla J. Berg
Citation: The American Journal on Addictions, 35(5), 622-632
Date: 07/2026
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Examines how cannabis use behaviors and perceptions vary among rural and urban young adults via an online survey of 1,961 adults aged 18-34 who reported past-month cannabis use. Includes data on perceived harm, coping, frequency of use, driving under the influence, likelihood of mental health diagnosis, consequences of use, and more.
Author(s): Katelyn F. Romm, Amanda Y. Kong, Patricia A. Cavazos-Rehg, Carla J. Berg
Citation: The American Journal on Addictions, 35(5), 622-632
Date: 07/2026
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North Dakota Statewide Traffic Safety Survey, 2026: Traffic Safety Performance Measures for State and Federal Agencies
Provides information on traffic safety issues among varied demographic groups in North Dakota and their beliefs, practices, and distractions related to driving. Includes rural versus urban comparisons about driving safety, driving under the influence, and more.
Author(s): Kimberly Vachal, Andrew Kubas, Jaclyn Andersen
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute
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Provides information on traffic safety issues among varied demographic groups in North Dakota and their beliefs, practices, and distractions related to driving. Includes rural versus urban comparisons about driving safety, driving under the influence, and more.
Author(s): Kimberly Vachal, Andrew Kubas, Jaclyn Andersen
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute
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Urban-Rural and Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Modes of Preconception Cannabis Use among Insured Patients Receiving Prenatal Care at an Integrated Healthcare System in Northern California from 2020 to 2023
Analyzes joint interactions in race and ethnicity and level of rurality on cannabis use and mode of use during preconception, using Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) data of 191,469 pregnancies taking place between February 2020 and September 2023.
Author(s): Qiana L. Brown, Catherine A. Cortez, Joshua R. Nugent, et al.
Citation: Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 286, 113281
Date: 07/2026
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Analyzes joint interactions in race and ethnicity and level of rurality on cannabis use and mode of use during preconception, using Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) data of 191,469 pregnancies taking place between February 2020 and September 2023.
Author(s): Qiana L. Brown, Catherine A. Cortez, Joshua R. Nugent, et al.
Citation: Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 286, 113281
Date: 07/2026
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Provider Perspectives on a Tobacco-Free Workplace Program in Healthcare Settings Serving Rural and Medically Underserved Areas of Texas: A Mixed Methods Study on Perceived Resource Availability and Value
Analyzes healthcare provider perspectives on the Taking Rural Texas Tobacco Free program, a capacity building program for reducing tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure among healthcare providers, patients, and visitors in rural or medically underserved areas of Texas. Provides data and interview excerpts from 347 substance use treatment center and medical healthcare center staff.
Author(s): Abigail E. Bergey, Isabel Martinez Leal, Maggie Britton, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(7), 898
Date: 07/2026
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Analyzes healthcare provider perspectives on the Taking Rural Texas Tobacco Free program, a capacity building program for reducing tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure among healthcare providers, patients, and visitors in rural or medically underserved areas of Texas. Provides data and interview excerpts from 347 substance use treatment center and medical healthcare center staff.
Author(s): Abigail E. Bergey, Isabel Martinez Leal, Maggie Britton, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(7), 898
Date: 07/2026
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NSDUH (National Survey on Drug Use and Health) Detailed Tables - 2025
Explores 2025 survey data on use of prescription and illicit drugs, alcohol, tobacco and nicotine products, trends in substance use disorder (SUD) and mental illness, and access to treatment for youth and adults. Features statistics for a variety of demographic and geographic characteristics, including rural versus urban status.
Additional links: Methodological Summary and Definitions - 2025
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Explores 2025 survey data on use of prescription and illicit drugs, alcohol, tobacco and nicotine products, trends in substance use disorder (SUD) and mental illness, and access to treatment for youth and adults. Features statistics for a variety of demographic and geographic characteristics, including rural versus urban status.
Additional links: Methodological Summary and Definitions - 2025
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Postoperative Pain Management in Rural Communities
Describes the University of Rochester Medicine Recovery Center of Excellence's approach to addressing opioid overprescribing after surgery. Discusses topics including provider engagement, patient empowerment and effective communication strategies, and rural implementation concerns.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of Rochester Medicine Recovery Center of Excellence
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Describes the University of Rochester Medicine Recovery Center of Excellence's approach to addressing opioid overprescribing after surgery. Discusses topics including provider engagement, patient empowerment and effective communication strategies, and rural implementation concerns.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of Rochester Medicine Recovery Center of Excellence
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Veteran Satisfaction With Lung Cancer Screening Care: A Cross-Sectional Evaluation
Examines how satisfaction with lung cancer screening varied among rural and nonrural veterans receiving care at Veterans Affairs Medical Centers between 2018 and 2021, using survey data of 689 veterans. Includes data on how other demographic and clinical factors, including smoking status, influence satisfaction with care.
Author(s): Jennifer A. Lewis, Amber J. Hackstadt, Kathryn D. Snyder, et al.
Citation: Medical Care
Date: 07/2026
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Examines how satisfaction with lung cancer screening varied among rural and nonrural veterans receiving care at Veterans Affairs Medical Centers between 2018 and 2021, using survey data of 689 veterans. Includes data on how other demographic and clinical factors, including smoking status, influence satisfaction with care.
Author(s): Jennifer A. Lewis, Amber J. Hackstadt, Kathryn D. Snyder, et al.
Citation: Medical Care
Date: 07/2026
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The Role of Rurality and Area-Level Disadvantage in Lifestyle Risk Factors and Psychological Well-Being among Cancer Survivors: Findings from the 2021 NCI HINTS-SEER
Examines how rurality and area-level disadvantage are associated with obesity, smoking, and depression or anxiety among cancer survivors, using 2021 HINTS-SEER data. Compares the roles of area-level and individual factors in influencing cancer survivorship outcomes in rural and urban areas.
Author(s): Anita M. Kumar, Carrie A. Miller, Reyna Han, et al.
Citation: Cancer Causes & Control, 37, 125
Date: 07/2026
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Examines how rurality and area-level disadvantage are associated with obesity, smoking, and depression or anxiety among cancer survivors, using 2021 HINTS-SEER data. Compares the roles of area-level and individual factors in influencing cancer survivorship outcomes in rural and urban areas.
Author(s): Anita M. Kumar, Carrie A. Miller, Reyna Han, et al.
Citation: Cancer Causes & Control, 37, 125
Date: 07/2026
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Economic Cynicism, COVID-19 and Deaths of Despair in Rural Ohio Counties
Explores the relationship between economic cynicism, COVID-19, and deaths of despair (DoDs) in rural counties in Ohio. Highlights rates of social connection, economic disadvantage and cynicism, and how they correlate with DoDs, among other measures.
Author(s): Christopher R. Browning, Bethany Boettner, Catherine A. Calder, Elisabeth Root
Citation: Sociology of Health & Illness, 48(6), e70227
Date: 07/2026
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Explores the relationship between economic cynicism, COVID-19, and deaths of despair (DoDs) in rural counties in Ohio. Highlights rates of social connection, economic disadvantage and cynicism, and how they correlate with DoDs, among other measures.
Author(s): Christopher R. Browning, Bethany Boettner, Catherine A. Calder, Elisabeth Root
Citation: Sociology of Health & Illness, 48(6), e70227
Date: 07/2026
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