Rural Health
Resources by Topic: COVID-19
Primary Care Screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections in the United States from 2019 to 2021
Examines the impact of COVID-19 on sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing in primary care settings from 2019-2021. Analyzes data from 4,410,609 patient encounters recorded in the PRIME Registry and observes testing rates according to STI type, patient demographics, patient region and community type, and metropolitan, micropolitan, small town, or rural location.
Author(s): Shiying Hao, Esther E. Velásquez, William S. Pearson, et al.
Citation: PLOS ONE, 20(6)
Date: 06/2025
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Examines the impact of COVID-19 on sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing in primary care settings from 2019-2021. Analyzes data from 4,410,609 patient encounters recorded in the PRIME Registry and observes testing rates according to STI type, patient demographics, patient region and community type, and metropolitan, micropolitan, small town, or rural location.
Author(s): Shiying Hao, Esther E. Velásquez, William S. Pearson, et al.
Citation: PLOS ONE, 20(6)
Date: 06/2025
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Impact of COVID-19 on Clinical Trials Costs to Patients
Examines the direct and indirect costs of COVID-19 clinical trial participation to patients and the impact of utilizing remote technologies. Presents an environmental scan of articles published between 2010 and 2023 and discusses barriers to clinical trial participation experienced by underrepresented and rural populations.
Author(s): Keri Calkins, Emily Crabtree, Emily Harrison, Nyna Williams, Kirsten Barrett
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: Mathematica
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Examines the direct and indirect costs of COVID-19 clinical trial participation to patients and the impact of utilizing remote technologies. Presents an environmental scan of articles published between 2010 and 2023 and discusses barriers to clinical trial participation experienced by underrepresented and rural populations.
Author(s): Keri Calkins, Emily Crabtree, Emily Harrison, Nyna Williams, Kirsten Barrett
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: Mathematica
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U.S. Household Food Spending Post COVID-19 and the Implications for Diet Quality
Analyzes household food spending across various population groups between the years of 2016 and 2022. Analyzes food purchases and food away from home (FAFH) spending according to demographic groups, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, region, and urbanicity. Discusses the impact of COVID-19 and economic inflation in spending patterns.
Additional links: Report Summary
Author(s): Abigail Okrent, Eliana Zeballos
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Analyzes household food spending across various population groups between the years of 2016 and 2022. Analyzes food purchases and food away from home (FAFH) spending according to demographic groups, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, region, and urbanicity. Discusses the impact of COVID-19 and economic inflation in spending patterns.
Additional links: Report Summary
Author(s): Abigail Okrent, Eliana Zeballos
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Reflections of Rural Primary Care Physicians on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study
Describes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rural primary care physicians' relationships with patients, other physicians, clinic staff, and their communities via interviews conducted between Oct 2022 and April 2023 with 12 Wisconsin physicians. Discusses elements including challenges in implementing new clinical practices, impacts of beliefs about the pandemic, strategies and coping mechanisms, and availability of staff and other resources.
Author(s): Mary F. Henningfield, Keelin McHugh, Sarina Schrager
Citation: BMC Primary Care, 26, 160
Date: 05/2025
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Describes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rural primary care physicians' relationships with patients, other physicians, clinic staff, and their communities via interviews conducted between Oct 2022 and April 2023 with 12 Wisconsin physicians. Discusses elements including challenges in implementing new clinical practices, impacts of beliefs about the pandemic, strategies and coping mechanisms, and availability of staff and other resources.
Author(s): Mary F. Henningfield, Keelin McHugh, Sarina Schrager
Citation: BMC Primary Care, 26, 160
Date: 05/2025
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Experiences of U.S. Frontline Physicians During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study
Examines physician experiences during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizes focus group and interview feedback from 17 frontline physicians related to patient care, with a focus on adaptations, challenges, and acute stressors. Includes discussion about healthcare barriers specific to rural and remote areas.
Author(s): Robin L. Whitney, Melissa Gosdin, Sabrina F. Loureiro, et al.
Citation: Archives of Public Health, 83, 122
Date: 05/2025
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Examines physician experiences during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizes focus group and interview feedback from 17 frontline physicians related to patient care, with a focus on adaptations, challenges, and acute stressors. Includes discussion about healthcare barriers specific to rural and remote areas.
Author(s): Robin L. Whitney, Melissa Gosdin, Sabrina F. Loureiro, et al.
Citation: Archives of Public Health, 83, 122
Date: 05/2025
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Impact of Alcohol Use Disorder on Inpatient Hospitalizations: A Comparison of Outcomes Between Urban and Rural Veterans Affairs Hospitals
Analyzes Veterans Health Administration hospital admissions data from 2016 to 2020 to determine the burden of alcohol use disorder on 129 rural and urban hospitals. Data shows break down of patient characteristics, hospital characteristics, and admissions characteristics. Discusses mortality and the potential impact of COVID-19.
Author(s): James Willey, Peter Kaboli, Andrea Holcombe, et al.
Citation: Journal of Hospital Medicine, 20(5), 463-470
Date: 05/2025
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Analyzes Veterans Health Administration hospital admissions data from 2016 to 2020 to determine the burden of alcohol use disorder on 129 rural and urban hospitals. Data shows break down of patient characteristics, hospital characteristics, and admissions characteristics. Discusses mortality and the potential impact of COVID-19.
Author(s): James Willey, Peter Kaboli, Andrea Holcombe, et al.
Citation: Journal of Hospital Medicine, 20(5), 463-470
Date: 05/2025
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Operating Status of Adult Day Services Centers in 2022
Offers estimates from the 2022 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS) regarding operating status of adult day service centers as a result of COVID-19 response efforts. Compares U.S. Census Bureau regions, metropolitan and nonmetropolitan statistical areas, Medicaid licensure, and number of enrolled participants.
Author(s): Jessica P. Lendon, Priyanka Singh, Christine Caffrey, Manisha Sengupta, Zhaohui Lu
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Offers estimates from the 2022 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS) regarding operating status of adult day service centers as a result of COVID-19 response efforts. Compares U.S. Census Bureau regions, metropolitan and nonmetropolitan statistical areas, Medicaid licensure, and number of enrolled participants.
Author(s): Jessica P. Lendon, Priyanka Singh, Christine Caffrey, Manisha Sengupta, Zhaohui Lu
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Trends in Emergency Department, Primary Care, and Behavioral Health Use for Pediatric Mental Health Conditions in Virginia Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Examines the relationship between access to primary and behavioral care and pediatric emergency department (ED) visits. Utilizes 2016-2021 data from the Virginia All-Payers Claims Database to analyze pediatric ED visits, mental health ED visits, ED visits for suicidality, and 2016 versus 2021 ED visits by various sociodemographic factors, including rural location.
Author(s): Jennifer L. Gilbert, Bergen B. Nelson, Jacqueline Britz, et al.
Citation: BMC Primary Care, 26, 54
Date: 02/2025
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Examines the relationship between access to primary and behavioral care and pediatric emergency department (ED) visits. Utilizes 2016-2021 data from the Virginia All-Payers Claims Database to analyze pediatric ED visits, mental health ED visits, ED visits for suicidality, and 2016 versus 2021 ED visits by various sociodemographic factors, including rural location.
Author(s): Jennifer L. Gilbert, Bergen B. Nelson, Jacqueline Britz, et al.
Citation: BMC Primary Care, 26, 54
Date: 02/2025
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An Analysis of Telehealth in a Post-Pandemic Rural, Midwestern Community: Increased Comfort and a Preference for Primary Care
Discusses the implementation of telehealth in rural, underserved areas during the COVID-19 pandemic and if telehealth remains a sustainable option to provide healthcare. Utilizes 2023 data from 253 survey participants regarding internet access, telehealth usage, and telehealth perceptions.
Author(s): Chase Salmon, Kameron Bell, Eric Reyes, Ellen Ireland, Robin Danek
Citation: BMC Health Services Research, 25, 270
Date: 02/2025
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Discusses the implementation of telehealth in rural, underserved areas during the COVID-19 pandemic and if telehealth remains a sustainable option to provide healthcare. Utilizes 2023 data from 253 survey participants regarding internet access, telehealth usage, and telehealth perceptions.
Author(s): Chase Salmon, Kameron Bell, Eric Reyes, Ellen Ireland, Robin Danek
Citation: BMC Health Services Research, 25, 270
Date: 02/2025
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An Ecological Study of COVID-19 Outcomes among Florida Counties
Examines variations in COVID-19 case rate, mortality rate, and case fatality rate (CFR) across Florida counties. Provides county-level data as well as rural versus urban comparisons of COVID-19 impacts during pandemic waves.
Author(s): Sobur Ali, Taj Azarian
Citation: BMC Public Health, 25, 579
Date: 02/2025
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Examines variations in COVID-19 case rate, mortality rate, and case fatality rate (CFR) across Florida counties. Provides county-level data as well as rural versus urban comparisons of COVID-19 impacts during pandemic waves.
Author(s): Sobur Ali, Taj Azarian
Citation: BMC Public Health, 25, 579
Date: 02/2025
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