Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Environmental health
Controlled, Before-and-After Analysis and Pre–Post Surveys to Assess the Effects of a Community-Wide Sanitation System on Environmental Contamination, Infection Risk and Well-Being in Alabama's Black Belt: Study Protocol
A study protocol focused on implementation of a community-wide sanitation system in a rural area of Alabama. Utilizes controlled, before-and-after (CBA) data collection of pathogens and bacteria to analyze impact of sanitation systems on public health and well-being.
Author(s): Olivia A. Harmon, Megan E. J. Lott, David A. Holcomb, et al.
Citation: BMJ Open, 16(4), e108477
Date: 04/2026
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A study protocol focused on implementation of a community-wide sanitation system in a rural area of Alabama. Utilizes controlled, before-and-after (CBA) data collection of pathogens and bacteria to analyze impact of sanitation systems on public health and well-being.
Author(s): Olivia A. Harmon, Megan E. J. Lott, David A. Holcomb, et al.
Citation: BMJ Open, 16(4), e108477
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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Distance to a Drying Saline Lake and Lung Function Development in a Rural Border Cohort of Children
Examines the relationship between children's lung function and proximity to the drying Salton Sea in rural southeastern California. Analyzes lung function of 369 first to third grade children with breakdowns according to demographics, health factors, air pollution, and proximity to the Salton Sea.
Author(s): Fangqi Guo, Elizabeth M. Kamai, Sandrah P. Eckel, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(4), e264812
Date: 04/2026
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Examines the relationship between children's lung function and proximity to the drying Salton Sea in rural southeastern California. Analyzes lung function of 369 first to third grade children with breakdowns according to demographics, health factors, air pollution, and proximity to the Salton Sea.
Author(s): Fangqi Guo, Elizabeth M. Kamai, Sandrah P. Eckel, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(4), e264812
Date: 04/2026
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Environmental Risk Factors and Iowa's Cancer Crisis: A 2026 Report
Reports on environmental factors influencing the high incidence of cancer in Iowa, including detailed discussion on cancer risks related to pesticides, PFAS, nitrates, radon, and other topics related to agricultural and industrial safety. Provides recommendations for strengthening environmental health in agricultural policy.
Author(s): Colleen Fowle, Sarah Howe, Kerri Johannsen, et al.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Iowa Environmental Council, The Harkin Institute
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Reports on environmental factors influencing the high incidence of cancer in Iowa, including detailed discussion on cancer risks related to pesticides, PFAS, nitrates, radon, and other topics related to agricultural and industrial safety. Provides recommendations for strengthening environmental health in agricultural policy.
Author(s): Colleen Fowle, Sarah Howe, Kerri Johannsen, et al.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Iowa Environmental Council, The Harkin Institute
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Regional Partnership Program: A Community-Led Approach
Discusses the role of voluntary regional partnerships in supporting small and rural water and wastewater systems, highlights priority topics and challenges in rural water systems, presents data on water system inventory and health violations by size of population served, and provides federal policy recommendations to support regional partnerships.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organizations: National Rural Water Association, Rural Community Assistance Partnership
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Discusses the role of voluntary regional partnerships in supporting small and rural water and wastewater systems, highlights priority topics and challenges in rural water systems, presents data on water system inventory and health violations by size of population served, and provides federal policy recommendations to support regional partnerships.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organizations: National Rural Water Association, Rural Community Assistance Partnership
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Cancer in Iowa 2026
Provides data on cancer incidence, characteristics, and survival in Iowa. Provides county-level estimates of new cancers, cancer deaths, and those living with cancer as of 2026. Features a section on how cancer impacts Iowa's farming population and related issues of agricultural health, drinking water quality, and pesticide use.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Iowa Cancer Registry
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Provides data on cancer incidence, characteristics, and survival in Iowa. Provides county-level estimates of new cancers, cancer deaths, and those living with cancer as of 2026. Features a section on how cancer impacts Iowa's farming population and related issues of agricultural health, drinking water quality, and pesticide use.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Iowa Cancer Registry
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Understanding Risk Factors for Otitis Media in Rural Alaska Native Children: A Cohort Study
Presents a study on the relationship between otitis media, a middle ear disease associated with childhood hearing loss, and environmental, genetic, and dietary risk factors among children aged 1-4 in Alaska Native communities in the rural Bering Strait region of Alaska. Explores the presence of genetic factors that increase the likelihood of respiratory infections in newborns, rates of breastfeeding, and environmental factors, such as smoke exposure and availability of running water, among others.
Author(s): Rolvix H Patterson, Susan D Emmett, Kelli L Scheinman, et al.
Citation: Ear & Hearing, 47(2), 417-428
Date: 03/2026
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Presents a study on the relationship between otitis media, a middle ear disease associated with childhood hearing loss, and environmental, genetic, and dietary risk factors among children aged 1-4 in Alaska Native communities in the rural Bering Strait region of Alaska. Explores the presence of genetic factors that increase the likelihood of respiratory infections in newborns, rates of breastfeeding, and environmental factors, such as smoke exposure and availability of running water, among others.
Author(s): Rolvix H Patterson, Susan D Emmett, Kelli L Scheinman, et al.
Citation: Ear & Hearing, 47(2), 417-428
Date: 03/2026
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Assessing Environmental, Nutritional, and Genetic Factors for Otitis Media-Related Hearing Loss in Rural Alaska Native Children
Highlights a study on the relationship between otitis media, a middle ear disease associated with childhood hearing loss, and environmental, genetic, and dietary risk factors among children aged 1-4 in Alaska Native communities in the rural Norton Sound region of Alaska. Explores the presence of genetic factors that increase the likelihood of respiratory infections in newborns, rates of breastfeeding, and environmental factors, such as smoke exposure and availability of running water, among others.
Author(s): Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Alyssa Platt, Rolvix H Patterson, et al.
Citation: Ear & Hearing, 47(2), 404-416
Date: 03/2026
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Highlights a study on the relationship between otitis media, a middle ear disease associated with childhood hearing loss, and environmental, genetic, and dietary risk factors among children aged 1-4 in Alaska Native communities in the rural Norton Sound region of Alaska. Explores the presence of genetic factors that increase the likelihood of respiratory infections in newborns, rates of breastfeeding, and environmental factors, such as smoke exposure and availability of running water, among others.
Author(s): Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Alyssa Platt, Rolvix H Patterson, et al.
Citation: Ear & Hearing, 47(2), 404-416
Date: 03/2026
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'No Safe Level of Lead': How Mining Towns Are Reducing the Risk of Lead Exposure – And What Other Rural Communities Can Learn from Them
Highlights efforts in rural Idaho and Kansas to raise awareness of the dangers of lead exposure. Discusses health screenings and follow-up care, as well as outreach activities and educational materials.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Highlights efforts in rural Idaho and Kansas to raise awareness of the dangers of lead exposure. Discusses health screenings and follow-up care, as well as outreach activities and educational materials.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Perceived Water Safety and Elevated Liver Enzymes in Rural West Virginia: Links between Drinking Water, Beverage Habits, and Liver Health
Analyzes associations between perceived home tap water quality, liver enzyme levels, and other clinical indicators among 272 adults in rural West Virginia. Discusses how perceived environmental health and access to affordable filtration may influence health outcomes in rural, Appalachian areas.
Author(s): Joanna Bailey, Terezia Lilly, Adam D. Baus
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 26(1)
Date: 02/2026
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Analyzes associations between perceived home tap water quality, liver enzyme levels, and other clinical indicators among 272 adults in rural West Virginia. Discusses how perceived environmental health and access to affordable filtration may influence health outcomes in rural, Appalachian areas.
Author(s): Joanna Bailey, Terezia Lilly, Adam D. Baus
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 26(1)
Date: 02/2026
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