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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Children and youth

Voices From the Field: Informing Maternal Child Health Navigator Training Through Rural Practice Insights
Presents a study on Maternal-Child Health (MCH) Navigators on their perception of their preparedness for providing trauma-informed care, substance use support, and addressing drivers of health in rural Texas communities. Explores MCH Navigators' assessment of the efficacy of their training and real-world experience to prepare them for the maternal health challenges in rural communities.
Author(s): Sharon L. Dormire, Cassidy S. Doucet, Nydia Garcia, Robin Page
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 17
Date: 07/2026
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Access to WIC-Authorized Vendors and High-Speed Internet Services in Urban and Rural Areas
Examines the availability internet services across geographies that enable Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) eligible families to access online WIC shopping options. Utilizes data from 38,279 WIC-authorized vendors during fiscal years 2020-2022 and provides U.S. maps showing census tract-level access to WIC-authorized vendors, access to WIC-authorized vendors and fixed high-speed internet, and access to WIC-authorized vendors and 5G mobile high-speed internet. Includes rural versus urban census tract comparisons of adequate internet access and distance to nearest WIC-authorized vendor.
Additional links: Report Summary
Author(s): Leslie Hodges, John Pender, David Marquardt, Anna Shetler, Joanne Guthrie
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Rural Pediatric Readiness: Improving Emergency Care for Kids
Features rural providers in Texas and Wyoming working to improve their ability to provide quality emergency care to pediatric patients, as well as a pediatric readiness training program in Georgia.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Disparities in Rural–Urban Cancer Care Outcomes Among Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Populations: A Comprehensive Narrative Review
Literature review examining research on rural-urban disparities in cancer outcomes and access to care among children aged 0-18 and adolescents and young adults aged 15-39 years. Covers topics including distance to care, cancer incidence, social determinants of health, access to specialized oncology services, mortality, financial toxicity, supportive and survivorship care, and clinical trial access.
Author(s): Olivia C. Burke, Wencesley A. Paez
Citation: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention
Date: 06/2026
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Understanding Smokeless Tobacco Use in Rural United States: A Narrative Synthesis of Contributing Factors and Prevention Efforts
Narrative review examining research on smokeless tobacco (SLT) use in rural areas. Covers prevalence, risk factors, and prevention strategies, giving particular attention to youth SLT use.
Author(s): Mariyam Abbas, Steven A. Cohen
Citation: Public Health in Practice, 11, 100801
Date: 06/2026
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Active Aging for L.I.F.E.: An Intergenerational Program to Improve Adolescents' Aging Attitudes in Rural Communities
Presents results of participation in Active Aging for L.I.F.E., a school-based intergenerational program focused on health literacy, health awareness, aging attitudes, and social connectedness, among 77 junior high and high school students in rural Oklahoma. Details how outcomes varied by sex and age.
Author(s): Xuewei Chen, Emily Roberts
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(7), 822
Date: 06/2026
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Resourcefulness, Ingenuity, and Community Strengths in Meeting Rural Youth Mental Health Needs: A Multiple Case Study
Examines how rural schools strategize to meet mental health needs of their students. Utilizes interview and focus group data from 133 educators regarding their experiences of maximizing school resources, providing staff development and training, and developing social-emotional curricula.
Author(s): Aaron Leo, Jessie Tobin, Paul Guay, Kristen Campbell Wilcox
Citation: The Rural Educator, 47(3), 47-64
Date: 06/2026
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Bullying Prevalence and Persistence in Rural and Urban Settings
Examines the characteristics of rural versus urban school bullying. Utilizes 2024 data from 1,250 students and provides rural versus urban breakdowns regarding timeline, social dynamics, frequency, perceived reason for, and type of bullying. Discusses the need for bullying interventions tailored for rural social contexts.
Author(s): Eric Landers, Juliann Sergi McBrayer, Monika Krah, Meredith A. Rausch
Citation: The Rural Educator, 47(3), 5-19
Date: 06/2026
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Populations in All Age Groups Growing in the South, Driven by Outlying Counties in Metro Areas
Analyzes 2025 U.S. Census Bureau population data to describe distribution trends among 5 age groups between 2020 and 2025. Highlights trends within regions and counties including metropolitan, micropolitan, and nonmetropolitan counties.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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Testing Implementation Strategies for a Family Healthy Weight Program: Results From the Nebraska Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration 3.0 Pilot Trial
Examines the Building Healthy Families (BHF) Online Training Resources and Program Package that is used to help rural areas in Nebraska adopt and implement a family healthy weight program (FHWP). Analyzes a pilot study that implements the BHF Program Package with and without a learning collaborative option and discusses quality of online training resources, child engagement, implementation fidelity, and more.
Author(s): Jennie L. Hill, Kate A. Heelan, Bryce M. Abbey, et al.
Citation: Childhood Obesity Research, 4, 223-232
Date: 06/2026
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