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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Cancer

Rural–Urban Disparities in Treatment and Disease-Specific Survival for Patients with Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis of the 2000 to 2021 SEER Database
Examines rural-urban disparities in treatment and survival for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) patients, utilizing 2000-2021 SEER data of 14,940 patients. Analyzes receipt of chemotherapy, surgical treatment, and 5- and 10-year disease-specific survival. Includes multivariable analysis of the association between demographic factors, including rurality, and mortality.
Author(s): Odelia H. Moon, Mitchell A. Taylor, Omar Hamadi, Aditya Sharma, Peter Silberstein
Citation: Medical Sciences, 13(3), 158
Date: 09/2025
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Fast Facts: Rates of Chronic Conditions Consistently Higher Among Adults in Rural Areas
Compares the prevalence of chronic health conditions and associated risk factors in rural and urban areas, utilizing 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data. Includes data on health conditions including obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and depression, among others. Includes state-by-state rural health data for select conditions.
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: America's Health Rankings
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Sun Protection Behavior Beliefs Among Adults Living in Rural United States: A Qualitative Study in Minnesota
Presents a study on perceptions and beliefs about sun-protective behavior among rural Minnesotans. Breaks down data by demographic characteristics, such as age, education, and whether participants had an outdoor job, among other measures. Looks at time spent outside and discusses participants' perceptions about protective behaviors.
Author(s): Patricia Jewett, Matia Solomon, Katherine Brown, et al.
Citation: PLOS One 20(9)
Date: 09/2025
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Addressing HPV Vaccination in Southwest GA: The Emory Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network
Discusses the HPV Vaccine Mini-Grant Program, which funded a multi-level human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination intervention by four county health departments in rural, Southwest Georgia. Highlights strategies used by participating sites and includes data on program outcomes.
Author(s): Cam Escoffery
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
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Trends in Influenza- and Pneumonia-Related Mortality in Lung Cancer Patients from 1999 to 2022: A Retrospective CDC WONDER Analysis
Examines demographic factors associated with increased influenza- and pneumonia-related mortality in lung cancer patients, utilizing 1999-2022 CDC WONDER data. Includes data and discussion of rural-urban mortality disparities.
Author(s): Kate Woods, Mustafa Beidas, Vikram Murugan, et al.
Citation: Respiratory Research, 26, 267
Date: 09/2025
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Route and Efficiency Analysis of Cancer Health Care (REACH): Investigating Sociodemographic and Rurality of Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients at an NCI-Designated Facility
Explores the association between rurality and access to care for women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Examines travel distance and time to treatment, as well as sociodemographic factors among patients with MBC. Draws data from rural and urban counties in Illinois and Missouri.
Author(s): Amanda Golden, Sarah Humble, Rachelle Roy, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(3), e70063
Date: 08/2025
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Single-Center Retrospective Analysis of the Impact of Rurality on Glioblastoma Care in Vermont
Examines rural-urban differences in clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes among 119 newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients who presented at the University of Vermont Medical Center from 2017 to 2021. Discusses rural cancer disparities in treatment outcomes and access to care.
Author(s): Gabriela Sarriera Valentin, Erin D'Agostino, Peter Callas, Alissa A. Thomas
Citation: BMC Health Services Research, 25, 1052
Date: 08/2025
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Bridging Rural Communities: Telehealth Innovations for Appalachia and Beyond
Video series on innovative approaches to telehealth in rural Appalachia, hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Center (MATRC) on August 1, 2025. Features speakers on telehealth use in veterans' healthcare, substance use recovery, palliative care, mental health, healthy aging, emergency preparedness and response, cancer screening, and other topics related to healthcare access, quality of care, and healthcare economics. Transcripts are available via video descriptions.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center
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Combined Prevalence of Chronic Conditions or Obesity for Adults in 2022
Examines the combined prevalence of obesity and chronic health conditions, including high blood pressure, cancer, and diabetes, among others, by demographic group, utilizing Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) Household Component data. See Figure 6 for a comparison of prevalence between metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and non-MSAs.
Author(s): Zhengyi Fang, Rebecca Ahrnsbrak
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Precision Public Health Alliances as a Model and Method for Community Engagement
Examines the Precision Public Health Alliance (PPHA) approach of utilizing analytics to map social, demographic, and clinical comorbidity variables onto colorectal cancer (CRC) screening data in rural northeastern Kentucky and southeastern Ohio. Provides data on the relationship among sociodemographic information, clinical outcomes, and CRC screening to assess community needs. Discusses the importance of understanding social determinants of health (SDOH) and community collaboration when addressing population health.
Author(s): Margaret L. McGladrey, Mary Elizabeth Lacy, Kristen McQuerry, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 13
Date: 08/2025
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