Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Children and youth
Rural Sleep Health and Sleep Health Disparities among Children and Adults in the United States
Examines sleep health characteristics among rural populations in the United States. Utilizes 2020 and 2022 National Health Interview Survey data to analyze the sleep health of 1,429 children and 8,673 adults residing in nonmetro counties, focusing on demographic variables, socioeconomic variables, and sleep health.
Author(s): Symielle A. Gaston, Christopher W. Payne, William Braxton Jackson, II, Chandra L. Jackson
Citation: Sleep Health, 12(1), 39-51
Date: 02/2026
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Examines sleep health characteristics among rural populations in the United States. Utilizes 2020 and 2022 National Health Interview Survey data to analyze the sleep health of 1,429 children and 8,673 adults residing in nonmetro counties, focusing on demographic variables, socioeconomic variables, and sleep health.
Author(s): Symielle A. Gaston, Christopher W. Payne, William Braxton Jackson, II, Chandra L. Jackson
Citation: Sleep Health, 12(1), 39-51
Date: 02/2026
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Overcoming Geographic Barriers: Enhancing Pediatric Subspecialty Access for Rural Families
Presents a case study of a rural family facing continued geographic challenges to accessing specialty care for their infant's histiocytic syndrome. Identifies individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy-level challenges and suggests policy approaches to address rural access disparities.
Author(s): Preston Simmons, Leah Beck, Eleanor Young, Laura Brower, Meghan Fanta
Citation: Hospital Pediatrics, e2024008150
Date: 02/2026
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Presents a case study of a rural family facing continued geographic challenges to accessing specialty care for their infant's histiocytic syndrome. Identifies individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy-level challenges and suggests policy approaches to address rural access disparities.
Author(s): Preston Simmons, Leah Beck, Eleanor Young, Laura Brower, Meghan Fanta
Citation: Hospital Pediatrics, e2024008150
Date: 02/2026
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Birth Defects Surveillance: New Mexico 2015-2024
Reports on demographic differences and trends in birth defects among children born in New Mexico using 2015-20204 New Mexico Birth Defects Prevention and Surveillance System (NMBDPASS) data. For data comparisons by level of rurality, see pages 15-17.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: New Mexico Department of Health
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Reports on demographic differences and trends in birth defects among children born in New Mexico using 2015-20204 New Mexico Birth Defects Prevention and Surveillance System (NMBDPASS) data. For data comparisons by level of rurality, see pages 15-17.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: New Mexico Department of Health
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The North Central Quality Childcare Network: Innovative Approaches to Growing Quality Childcare
A recorded webinar that discusses the impact of childcare shortages on local economies. Examines the North Central Quality Childcare (NCQC) Network and its impact on promoting quality child care in rural North Central Region communities. Transcript available below description.
Author(s): Amy Napoli, Courtney Aldrich, Rae Baker, Aileen Garcia, Kelsie Muller
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
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A recorded webinar that discusses the impact of childcare shortages on local economies. Examines the North Central Quality Childcare (NCQC) Network and its impact on promoting quality child care in rural North Central Region communities. Transcript available below description.
Author(s): Amy Napoli, Courtney Aldrich, Rae Baker, Aileen Garcia, Kelsie Muller
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
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Policy Brief: Teen Mental Health and School-Based Services in California
Presents data on rural and urban teen mental health and the availability of mental health services in schools in California, and provides recommendations for facilitating mental health service availability and use in schools. See Figure 12 within Full Report for additional data on health expenditures per student by level of rurality.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Public Policy Institute of California
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Presents data on rural and urban teen mental health and the availability of mental health services in schools in California, and provides recommendations for facilitating mental health service availability and use in schools. See Figure 12 within Full Report for additional data on health expenditures per student by level of rurality.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Public Policy Institute of California
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Caregiver Perceptions of USDA Rural Non-Congregate Summer Meals for Children in California
Presents results of survey on the benefits, accessibility, and practicality of SUN Meals To-Go, a USDA rural non-congregate summer meal program, in California among caregivers of children who received services in the summer of 2024. Provides data and interview excerpts highlighting caregiver perspectives.
Author(s): Emily Patten, J. Mitchell Vaterlaus, Lori A. Spruance, et al.
Citation: Nutrients, 18(2), 270
Date: 01/2026
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Presents results of survey on the benefits, accessibility, and practicality of SUN Meals To-Go, a USDA rural non-congregate summer meal program, in California among caregivers of children who received services in the summer of 2024. Provides data and interview excerpts highlighting caregiver perspectives.
Author(s): Emily Patten, J. Mitchell Vaterlaus, Lori A. Spruance, et al.
Citation: Nutrients, 18(2), 270
Date: 01/2026
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Integrating Substance Use Disorder Prevention with Physical Health Care: Progress in States
Discusses how states can integrate substance use disorder (SUD) prevention with physical healthcare, including examples of integration activities that are applicable to rural settings. Highlights opportunities for behavioral health integration aimed at serving adolescents aged 12-18. Includes a rural case study example of a school-based health center SUD prevention program in Oregon.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Discusses how states can integrate substance use disorder (SUD) prevention with physical healthcare, including examples of integration activities that are applicable to rural settings. Highlights opportunities for behavioral health integration aimed at serving adolescents aged 12-18. Includes a rural case study example of a school-based health center SUD prevention program in Oregon.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Bridging the Gap: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of a New Rural Maternity Care Center Amid Nationwide Closures
Examines healthcare quality and access following the reopening of a maternity care center at a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) in a rural community that experienced a maternity unit closure. Includes data comparisons of rural maternity care center (MCC) versus suburban tertiary care center patient demographics, delivery outcomes, and patient experiences. Discusses policy efforts to improve access to rural maternal health.
Author(s): Kathryn Wouk, Ellen Chetwynd, Emily C. Sheffield, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(1),102
Date: 01/2026
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Examines healthcare quality and access following the reopening of a maternity care center at a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) in a rural community that experienced a maternity unit closure. Includes data comparisons of rural maternity care center (MCC) versus suburban tertiary care center patient demographics, delivery outcomes, and patient experiences. Discusses policy efforts to improve access to rural maternal health.
Author(s): Kathryn Wouk, Ellen Chetwynd, Emily C. Sheffield, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(1),102
Date: 01/2026
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Compounding Hazards Posed by Wildfires, Flooding, and Resource Extraction: Assessing Multimedia Metal(loid) Exposures and Risk in Rural, Southwestern U.S. Populations
Examines the impact of weather events, resource extraction, and dust exposure on cancer risk in rural communities in Arizona. Utilizes a community-based study and data from multiple sampling sites to analyze child and adult exposure to hazardous elements.
Author(s): Zain Alabdain Alqattan, God'sgift N. Chukwuonye, Camille Tinerella, Miriam Jones, Mónica D. Ramírez-Andreotta
Citation: Environment International, 207, 110034
Date: 01/2026
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Examines the impact of weather events, resource extraction, and dust exposure on cancer risk in rural communities in Arizona. Utilizes a community-based study and data from multiple sampling sites to analyze child and adult exposure to hazardous elements.
Author(s): Zain Alabdain Alqattan, God'sgift N. Chukwuonye, Camille Tinerella, Miriam Jones, Mónica D. Ramírez-Andreotta
Citation: Environment International, 207, 110034
Date: 01/2026
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Prevalence of Meeting Youth Physical Activity Guidelines Across Income, Sex, Urbanicity, and Sport Participation: 2022–2023 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH)
Examines the prevalence of youth meeting physical activity guidelines by income, sex, rurality, and sports participation. Draws data from the National Survey of Children's Health from 2022-2023.
Author(s): Ashleigh Johnson
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(1), e70105
Date: 01/2026
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Examines the prevalence of youth meeting physical activity guidelines by income, sex, rurality, and sports participation. Draws data from the National Survey of Children's Health from 2022-2023.
Author(s): Ashleigh Johnson
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(1), e70105
Date: 01/2026
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