Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Educational attainment
The Appalachian Region: A Data Overview from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey Chartbook
Provides state- and county-level information on population, age, household characteristics, housing occupancy, education, labor force, employment, transportation, income, health insurance coverage, disability, and veteran status for the 13 Appalachian states. Features statistics with breakdowns by 5 levels of population density. Includes data explorer options for Appalachian categories such as population and age, education, income and poverty, computer and broadband access, rural Appalachia versus rural America, and employment and commuting.
Additional links: Full Report
Author(s): Sara Srygley, Nurfadila Khairunnisa, Diana Elliott
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Appalachian Regional Commission, Population Reference Bureau
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Provides state- and county-level information on population, age, household characteristics, housing occupancy, education, labor force, employment, transportation, income, health insurance coverage, disability, and veteran status for the 13 Appalachian states. Features statistics with breakdowns by 5 levels of population density. Includes data explorer options for Appalachian categories such as population and age, education, income and poverty, computer and broadband access, rural Appalachia versus rural America, and employment and commuting.
Additional links: Full Report
Author(s): Sara Srygley, Nurfadila Khairunnisa, Diana Elliott
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Appalachian Regional Commission, Population Reference Bureau
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Social Determinants of Sleep Health Inequities Among Rural Appalachian Adults
Evaluates the sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, and psychosocial factors of 327 rural Appalachian adults to identify associations with insufficient sleep duration, insomnia, and obstructive sleep apnea risk.
Author(s): Mairead E. Moloney, Emily Slade, Joon Chung
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(4)
Date: 04/2026
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Evaluates the sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, and psychosocial factors of 327 rural Appalachian adults to identify associations with insufficient sleep duration, insomnia, and obstructive sleep apnea risk.
Author(s): Mairead E. Moloney, Emily Slade, Joon Chung
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(4)
Date: 04/2026
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Review of Current Research Describing the Influence of Non-Health Care Drivers of Health in Rural and Urban Populations
Summarizes recent research in social determinants of health and associated health conditions in rural and urban populations. Identifies gaps in the literature relevant to rural health, and highlights findings relevant to rural and urban economic stability, education access and quality, neighborhood and built environment, and other social and community contexts.
Author(s): Katie Youngen, Julia Cecil, Tyrone F. Borders
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
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Summarizes recent research in social determinants of health and associated health conditions in rural and urban populations. Identifies gaps in the literature relevant to rural health, and highlights findings relevant to rural and urban economic stability, education access and quality, neighborhood and built environment, and other social and community contexts.
Author(s): Katie Youngen, Julia Cecil, Tyrone F. Borders
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
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Aerobic Physical Activity Among Adults Age 18 and Older: United States, 2024
Offers data highlighting aerobic physical activity among adults. Includes a data breakdown by 4 levels of urbanization in addition to other demographic characteristics, family income, education, disability status, and body mass index.
Author(s): Nazik Elgaddal, Ellen A. Kramarow
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Offers data highlighting aerobic physical activity among adults. Includes a data breakdown by 4 levels of urbanization in addition to other demographic characteristics, family income, education, disability status, and body mass index.
Author(s): Nazik Elgaddal, Ellen A. Kramarow
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Early-Life Rural Disadvantage and Executive Function in Adulthood: The Role of Income and Education
Examines the association between early-life rural dwelling and executive function (EF) later in life using Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) longitudinal survey data of 2,035 adults. Includes data and discussion on the influence of educational attainment and childhood financial status on adult EF.
Author(s): Julia Sheffler, Andrea Bautista, Helen Smith, Hannah Karter, Zhuo Meng
Citation: Journal of Public Health Research, 15(1), 22799036261418437
Date: 02/2026
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Examines the association between early-life rural dwelling and executive function (EF) later in life using Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) longitudinal survey data of 2,035 adults. Includes data and discussion on the influence of educational attainment and childhood financial status on adult EF.
Author(s): Julia Sheffler, Andrea Bautista, Helen Smith, Hannah Karter, Zhuo Meng
Citation: Journal of Public Health Research, 15(1), 22799036261418437
Date: 02/2026
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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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Snapshot of Rural Health in Colorado, 2026
Provides an overview of rural health in Colorado. Includes data and statistics on a variety of indicators, such as education, poverty, rural economy, healthcare coverage and access, rural health information technology, behavioral health, oral health, and workforce shortages. Includes five regional snapshots from around the state that are free to download with name and organization affiliation.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Colorado Rural Health Center
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Provides an overview of rural health in Colorado. Includes data and statistics on a variety of indicators, such as education, poverty, rural economy, healthcare coverage and access, rural health information technology, behavioral health, oral health, and workforce shortages. Includes five regional snapshots from around the state that are free to download with name and organization affiliation.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Colorado Rural Health Center
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Small but Essential: Understanding Rural Public Health Workforce Challenges and Strengths From the 2024 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey
Examines characteristics of the rural public health workforce. Utilizes 2024 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) data to analyze the rural versus urban local health department (LHD) workforce with breakdowns according to demographics, education, employment tenure and type, and intentions to stay.
Author(s): Casey P. Balio, Stephanie M. Mathis, Michael B. Meit, Betty Bekemeier
Citation: Journal of Public Health Management & Practice, 32(1S), S60-S67
Date: 01/2026
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Examines characteristics of the rural public health workforce. Utilizes 2024 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) data to analyze the rural versus urban local health department (LHD) workforce with breakdowns according to demographics, education, employment tenure and type, and intentions to stay.
Author(s): Casey P. Balio, Stephanie M. Mathis, Michael B. Meit, Betty Bekemeier
Citation: Journal of Public Health Management & Practice, 32(1S), S60-S67
Date: 01/2026
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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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2026 Indiana Girl Report Dashboard
Provides interactive regional and county-level data on girls in Indiana. Includes demographic information, population to primary care physician ratios, health insurance data, educational attainment, reported bullying, poverty, and more. Offers interactive county-level maps as well as county-level data in the drop-down menu.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organizations: Girl Coalition of Indiana, Girl Scouts, Indiana Youth Institute
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Provides interactive regional and county-level data on girls in Indiana. Includes demographic information, population to primary care physician ratios, health insurance data, educational attainment, reported bullying, poverty, and more. Offers interactive county-level maps as well as county-level data in the drop-down menu.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organizations: Girl Coalition of Indiana, Girl Scouts, Indiana Youth Institute
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