Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Environmental health
'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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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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America's Health Rankings Annual Report 2025
Provides a national and state-by-state overview of population health by analyzing 99 measures drawn from 31 data sources to describe and rank health outcomes in the U.S. Analyzes and presents data on disparities by geography and demographic characteristics throughout. See the section titled, "Spotlight: Rural Communities," for information on trends in colorectal and breast cancer screening rates and physical inactivity of adults in rural areas between 2022 and 2024.
Additional links: Executive Brief
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
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Provides a national and state-by-state overview of population health by analyzing 99 measures drawn from 31 data sources to describe and rank health outcomes in the U.S. Analyzes and presents data on disparities by geography and demographic characteristics throughout. See the section titled, "Spotlight: Rural Communities," for information on trends in colorectal and breast cancer screening rates and physical inactivity of adults in rural areas between 2022 and 2024.
Additional links: Executive Brief
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
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Psychosocial Distress among Individuals Residing in a Rural PFAS-Contaminated Community
Examines how perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) impact the psychosocial distress of individuals in a rural Maine community affected by agricultural biosolid spreading and contaminated water. Analyzes level of PFAS in drinking water alongside participant characteristics, such as sociodemographics, mental health, coping mechanisms, and consequences of PFAS contamination.
Author(s): Elizabeth Scharnetzki, Lisa B Rokoff, Katherine Senechal, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 272, 114736
Date: 12/2025
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Examines how perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) impact the psychosocial distress of individuals in a rural Maine community affected by agricultural biosolid spreading and contaminated water. Analyzes level of PFAS in drinking water alongside participant characteristics, such as sociodemographics, mental health, coping mechanisms, and consequences of PFAS contamination.
Author(s): Elizabeth Scharnetzki, Lisa B Rokoff, Katherine Senechal, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 272, 114736
Date: 12/2025
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Scoping Review of the Environmental and Human Health Effects of Rural Alaska Landfills
A scoping review that examines the public health impact of landfills in rural and tribal areas of Alaska. Analyzes landfill contaminants, exposures, and solid waste management on disease transmission, chemical exposure, and other health issues.
Author(s): Carlye Chaney, Anita Moore-Nall, Chad Albert, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(1), 45
Date: 12/2025
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A scoping review that examines the public health impact of landfills in rural and tribal areas of Alaska. Analyzes landfill contaminants, exposures, and solid waste management on disease transmission, chemical exposure, and other health issues.
Author(s): Carlye Chaney, Anita Moore-Nall, Chad Albert, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(1), 45
Date: 12/2025
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Harvesting Risk: An Ecologic Study of Agricultural Practices and Patterns and Melanoma Incidence in Pennsylvania
Examines associations between melanoma incidence, agricultural land use, and herbicide-treated acreage in a 15-county cluster in southern Pennsylvania including both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties, utilizing 2017-2021 PA Cancer Registry data. Discusses how environmental, occupational, and behavioral challenges related to agriculture and cancer incidence are shared among urban and rural communities.
Author(s): Benjamin J. Marks, Jiangang Liao, Charlene Lam, Camille Moeckel, Eugene J. Lengerich
Citation: JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics, 9, e2500160
Date: 11/2025
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Examines associations between melanoma incidence, agricultural land use, and herbicide-treated acreage in a 15-county cluster in southern Pennsylvania including both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties, utilizing 2017-2021 PA Cancer Registry data. Discusses how environmental, occupational, and behavioral challenges related to agriculture and cancer incidence are shared among urban and rural communities.
Author(s): Benjamin J. Marks, Jiangang Liao, Charlene Lam, Camille Moeckel, Eugene J. Lengerich
Citation: JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics, 9, e2500160
Date: 11/2025
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Advocating for Incorporating Public Veterinary Health Care Into Human Health Systems
Explores the human health impacts of a public veterinary health program in rural tribal communities in Alaska. Highlights the health concerns from stray dog populations in tribal communities and remote areas that lack veterinarian services. Details impact on rates of dog bites, rabies, and other zoonotic pathogens.
Author(s): Laurie Meythaler-Mullins, Cheryl Eia, Allyce H. Lobdell, Danielle M. Frey
Citation: Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 12
Date: 10/2025
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Explores the human health impacts of a public veterinary health program in rural tribal communities in Alaska. Highlights the health concerns from stray dog populations in tribal communities and remote areas that lack veterinarian services. Details impact on rates of dog bites, rabies, and other zoonotic pathogens.
Author(s): Laurie Meythaler-Mullins, Cheryl Eia, Allyce H. Lobdell, Danielle M. Frey
Citation: Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 12
Date: 10/2025
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"Gives Us Peace of Mind for Keeping Our Hands Clean": Targeted Handwashing Intervention Increases Water Use and Hand Hygiene in Rural Alaska
Highlights a study on the hygiene outcomes of an intervention that installed Miniature Portable Alternative Sanitation System (Mini-PASS) handwashing stations in 14 rural Alaska Native communities. Details the lack of in-home water service in rural Alaska and the related health consequences. Evaluates the Mini-PASS intervention's outcomes in terms of handwashing station utilization and household water use.
Author(s): Amanda Hansen, Gretchen Day, Marla Wehrli, Laura Eichelberger
Citation: International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 84(1), 2569761
Date: 10/2025
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Highlights a study on the hygiene outcomes of an intervention that installed Miniature Portable Alternative Sanitation System (Mini-PASS) handwashing stations in 14 rural Alaska Native communities. Details the lack of in-home water service in rural Alaska and the related health consequences. Evaluates the Mini-PASS intervention's outcomes in terms of handwashing station utilization and household water use.
Author(s): Amanda Hansen, Gretchen Day, Marla Wehrli, Laura Eichelberger
Citation: International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 84(1), 2569761
Date: 10/2025
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Drone-Based Medication Delivery for Rural, Flood-Prone Coastal Communities
Discusses access to essential medical services and healthcare for rural communities in Virginia's flood-prone Eastern Shore. Utilizes geospatial data to examine the impact of drone-based medication delivery to overcome transportation barriers in these communities.
Author(s): Yin-Hsuen Chen, Amro M. El-Adle, Kevin J. O'Brien, Taylor Wentworth, Heather G. Richter
Citation: PLoS One, 20(10), e0333696
Date: 10/2025
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Discusses access to essential medical services and healthcare for rural communities in Virginia's flood-prone Eastern Shore. Utilizes geospatial data to examine the impact of drone-based medication delivery to overcome transportation barriers in these communities.
Author(s): Yin-Hsuen Chen, Amro M. El-Adle, Kevin J. O'Brien, Taylor Wentworth, Heather G. Richter
Citation: PLoS One, 20(10), e0333696
Date: 10/2025
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