Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Children and youth
Universal School Meal Policies and Perceived Stigma: Quantitative Evidence From Eight US States
Examines relationships among universal school meals (USMs) policies, stigma surrounding USM, and perceptions of school lunch. Utilizes survey data from 1,066 middle and high school students regarding their feelings of embarrassment surrounding school lunch, with breakdowns according to participant sociodemographics and rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Dania Orta-Aleman, Monica D. Zuercher, Leah E. Chapman, et al.
Citation: Journal of School Health, 96(1), e70098
Date: 01/2026
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Examines relationships among universal school meals (USMs) policies, stigma surrounding USM, and perceptions of school lunch. Utilizes survey data from 1,066 middle and high school students regarding their feelings of embarrassment surrounding school lunch, with breakdowns according to participant sociodemographics and rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Dania Orta-Aleman, Monica D. Zuercher, Leah E. Chapman, et al.
Citation: Journal of School Health, 96(1), e70098
Date: 01/2026
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Learning Modalities During COVID-19 and Adolescent Mental Health in North Carolina
Examines virtual, hybrid, and in-person learning modalities and their impact on adolescent mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyzes mental health emergency department (ED) visits in North Carolina alongside county-level information on learning modalities used over time. Provides rural versus urban data on impacts of learning modality on mental health.
Author(s): Justin Cole Gilbert, Martie P. Thompson, Sophia Ryan, Manan Roy
Citation: Journal of School Health, 96(1), e70093
Date: 01/2026
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Examines virtual, hybrid, and in-person learning modalities and their impact on adolescent mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyzes mental health emergency department (ED) visits in North Carolina alongside county-level information on learning modalities used over time. Provides rural versus urban data on impacts of learning modality on mental health.
Author(s): Justin Cole Gilbert, Martie P. Thompson, Sophia Ryan, Manan Roy
Citation: Journal of School Health, 96(1), e70093
Date: 01/2026
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Population Under Age 18 by County
Printable map that shows the percent of population in the U.S. by county who are under 18 years of age. Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Printable map that shows the percent of population in the U.S. by county who are under 18 years of age. Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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High School Graduates for Nonmetropolitan Counties
Printable map that shows the percent of population attaining at least a high school graduate education or equivalent by county. Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year estimates.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Printable map that shows the percent of population attaining at least a high school graduate education or equivalent by county. Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year estimates.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Associations Between Social Media Usage, Physical Activity, and Flourishing in Rural University Students
Results of a pilot study examining the correlation between social media usage, physical activity, and overall well-being and health among college students at a rural Appalachian university. Based on self-reported data collected from April-October 2024. .
Author(s): Anna Dysart, Minu Sara Thomas
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 7(4), 128-136
Date: 12/2025
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Results of a pilot study examining the correlation between social media usage, physical activity, and overall well-being and health among college students at a rural Appalachian university. Based on self-reported data collected from April-October 2024. .
Author(s): Anna Dysart, Minu Sara Thomas
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 7(4), 128-136
Date: 12/2025
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Assessment of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity in Arkansas: 2024-2025 School Year
Reports on demographics and trends in obesity among children in Arkansas via 2024-2025 public school data. See Figure 11 and Appendix for county-level data on obesity prevalence.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Arkansas Center for Health Improvement
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Reports on demographics and trends in obesity among children in Arkansas via 2024-2025 public school data. See Figure 11 and Appendix for county-level data on obesity prevalence.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Arkansas Center for Health Improvement
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Identifying the Unique Determinants Influencing Rural Families' Engagement with an Existing Tele-assessment Approach for Autism Identification: A Qualitative Study
Examines perceptions of tele-assessment for autism identification among caregivers of children with autism and community service providers in the rural Southeast. Identifies discussion themes and presents interview excerpts related to the validity, trustworthiness, feasibility, and privacy of tele-assessment for rural families.
Author(s): Liliana Wagner, Tori Foster, Kemberlee Bonnet, et al.
Citation: Autism, 29(6), 1458-1468
Date: 12/2025
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Examines perceptions of tele-assessment for autism identification among caregivers of children with autism and community service providers in the rural Southeast. Identifies discussion themes and presents interview excerpts related to the validity, trustworthiness, feasibility, and privacy of tele-assessment for rural families.
Author(s): Liliana Wagner, Tori Foster, Kemberlee Bonnet, et al.
Citation: Autism, 29(6), 1458-1468
Date: 12/2025
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Impact of Food Accessibility on Eating and Anthropometric Outcomes among Rural Parent-Child Dyads: A Secondary Data Analysis of a Mindful Eating Intervention
Examines the relationship among food insecurity, food behaviors, and health outcomes in rural children and parents enrolled in a mindful eating intervention trial. Utilizes data from 154 parent-child dyads recruited from Head Start childcare centers in the U.S. and includes breakdowns according to sociodemographics, food accessibility, eating habits, health status, and more.
Author(s): Jiying Ling, Tsui-Sui Annie Kao, Xining Yang
Citation: BMJ Open, 15(12), e108076
Date: 12/2025
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Examines the relationship among food insecurity, food behaviors, and health outcomes in rural children and parents enrolled in a mindful eating intervention trial. Utilizes data from 154 parent-child dyads recruited from Head Start childcare centers in the U.S. and includes breakdowns according to sociodemographics, food accessibility, eating habits, health status, and more.
Author(s): Jiying Ling, Tsui-Sui Annie Kao, Xining Yang
Citation: BMJ Open, 15(12), e108076
Date: 12/2025
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"Sacred Ground for Kids": Institutional Perspectives on Rural School-Based Health Centers as Patient-Centered Medical Homes
Presents a study on the role school-based health centers (SBHCs) play in providing care to children in rural counties and explores the potential for SBHCs to function as patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs) for rural students. Highlights findings from interviews in four rural counties in New York and identifies challenges for SBHCs functioning as a PCMH.
Author(s): Xue Zhang, Mildred E. Warner
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(4), e70098
Date: 12/2025
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Presents a study on the role school-based health centers (SBHCs) play in providing care to children in rural counties and explores the potential for SBHCs to function as patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs) for rural students. Highlights findings from interviews in four rural counties in New York and identifies challenges for SBHCs functioning as a PCMH.
Author(s): Xue Zhang, Mildred E. Warner
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(4), e70098
Date: 12/2025
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2021-2024 NSDUH Data Brief: Trends in Substance Use among Young Adults
Report details the substance use trends for young adults from 2021 to 2024 based on the findings from the Nation Survey on Drug Use and Health. Identifies substance use patterns and breaks down data by age, substance used, and whether participants resided in a large or small metropolitan or nonmetro county.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Report details the substance use trends for young adults from 2021 to 2024 based on the findings from the Nation Survey on Drug Use and Health. Identifies substance use patterns and breaks down data by age, substance used, and whether participants resided in a large or small metropolitan or nonmetro county.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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