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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Behavioral health

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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Drug Overdose Deaths in Kentucky, 2019–2024: Are We Back to Pre-COVID-19 Levels?
Examines drug overdose deaths in Kentucky and the impact of COVID-19 on mortality rates. Utilizes 2019-2024 Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics data to analyze overdose mortality rates according to year, demographics, contributing drugs, and metro versus nonmetro location.
Author(s): Aaron P. Smith, Juan Lang, Carmen Canedo, et al.
Citation: Injury Epidemiology, 12, 51
Date: 08/2025
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California Tobacco Facts and Figures 2025
Reports data on current use and trends in tobacco use and tobacco-related behaviors in California. Includes demographic breakdowns, including rural-urban comparisons, in addition to county-level data for select topics.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: California Department of Public Health
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Tobacco Product Use or Nicotine Vaping in the Past Month
Report discusses rates of tobacco and nicotine vaping use detailed in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) from 2022, 2023, and 2024. Features breakdowns by demographics, years and rurality, among other measures.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Hoosier Sport Re-Social: A Protocol for Developing a Biopsychosocial Body Satisfaction Intervention in Rural Indiana
Provides a study protocol for an intervention aimed at improving body satisfaction, healthy social media use, and positive exercise behaviors in adolescent girls living in rural Indiana. Discusses plans to examine adolescent self-esteem and physical activity levels, create a community co-design intervention, and conduct a mixed-methods pilot study within physical and health education classes.
Author(s): Janette M. Watkins, Janelle M. Goss, Vanessa M. Martinez Kercher, et al.
Citation: Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 11, 113
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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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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Prescribed Medications for Patients with Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Use Disorder Seen in Rural-Serving Pacific Northwest Primary Care Clinics
Examines the frequency in which patients living in the rural Pacific Northwest with amphetamine-type stimulant use disorder (AT-StUD) received medications for AT-StUD in primary care clinics. Utilizes 2017-2021 electronic health record (EHR) data to analyze patients who have received prescriptions according to demographics, mental health status, and health behaviors.
Author(s): Megan J. Yerton, Connor J. McCabe, Matthew D. Iles-Shih, Judith I. Tsui, Kevin A. Hallgren
Citation: Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 20, 67
Date: 08/2025
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Risk & Protective Factors for Rural Youth Substance Use: A Report for the Rural Network
Examines youth substance use in rural areas and various risk and protective factors. Utilizes data from Washington State's Rural Network members to analyze substance use and discusses school-based, family-based, and community-based preventive factors.
Author(s): Ellie Jackson
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Network, WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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NSDUH (National Survey on Drug Use and Health) Detailed Tables - 2024
Explores 2024 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.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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