Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Environmental health
"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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Estimating Emergency Department Utilization of Select Drugs during Extreme Heat Events
Examines excess emergency department (ED) visits and drug utilization surges for heat-related illness. Utilizes medical claims data to analyze heatwave related illnesses and provides modeling that predicts associated ED visits and drug utilization surges. Includes a county-level U.S. map showing days of extreme heat each year and discusses the impact on rural areas.
Author(s): Daniel McGeeney, Shruti Rathnavel, Emily McAden, Clifton Dassuncao, Aylin Sertkaya
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Eastern Research Group, Inc., HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Examines excess emergency department (ED) visits and drug utilization surges for heat-related illness. Utilizes medical claims data to analyze heatwave related illnesses and provides modeling that predicts associated ED visits and drug utilization surges. Includes a county-level U.S. map showing days of extreme heat each year and discusses the impact on rural areas.
Author(s): Daniel McGeeney, Shruti Rathnavel, Emily McAden, Clifton Dassuncao, Aylin Sertkaya
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Eastern Research Group, Inc., HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Sun Protection Behavior Beliefs Among Adults Living in Rural United States: A Qualitative Study in Minnesota
Presents a study on perceptions and beliefs about sun-protective behavior among rural Minnesotans. Breaks down data by demographic characteristics, such as age, education, and whether participants had an outdoor job, among other measures. Looks at time spent outside and discusses participants' perceptions about protective behaviors.
Author(s): Patricia Jewett, Matia Solomon, Katherine Brown, et al.
Citation: PLOS One 20(9)
Date: 09/2025
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Presents a study on perceptions and beliefs about sun-protective behavior among rural Minnesotans. Breaks down data by demographic characteristics, such as age, education, and whether participants had an outdoor job, among other measures. Looks at time spent outside and discusses participants' perceptions about protective behaviors.
Author(s): Patricia Jewett, Matia Solomon, Katherine Brown, et al.
Citation: PLOS One 20(9)
Date: 09/2025
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Dissemination of Heat Safety Practices among Florida Farmworker Crews
Explores the efficacy of heat related illness safety training for farmworkers working on harvesting crews in Florida. Breaks down participants post-intervention rates of hydration knowledge, risk perception, and buy-in, among other measures.
Author(s): Miranda Carver Martin, Linda Forst, Michael Siciliano, et al.
Citation: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 67(8), e518-e524
Date: 08/2025
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Explores the efficacy of heat related illness safety training for farmworkers working on harvesting crews in Florida. Breaks down participants post-intervention rates of hydration knowledge, risk perception, and buy-in, among other measures.
Author(s): Miranda Carver Martin, Linda Forst, Michael Siciliano, et al.
Citation: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 67(8), e518-e524
Date: 08/2025
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A Twenty-Year Review: Revisiting the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Funding Needs and Gaps in the Appalachian Region
Provides county, state, and metro versus nonmetro data on water and wastewater infrastructure in the Appalachian region. Discusses funding and collaborative possibilities to improve critical infrastructure in Appalachian communities.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Ahmed Rachid El-Khattabi, Christy M. Ihlo, Leigh Anne Krometis, Kara Millonzi
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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Provides county, state, and metro versus nonmetro data on water and wastewater infrastructure in the Appalachian region. Discusses funding and collaborative possibilities to improve critical infrastructure in Appalachian communities.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Ahmed Rachid El-Khattabi, Christy M. Ihlo, Leigh Anne Krometis, Kara Millonzi
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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From Crisis to Recovery: Health and Resilience Two Years After the Maui Wildfires
Reports on the impact of the August 2023 Hawaii wildfires on the health, wellness, and life of people living in West Maui and Kula. Topics covered include mental health, physical health, access to healthcare, housing, employment, and social support. The associated dashboard provides data from the report in interactive form.
Additional links: Dashboard
Author(s): Ruben Juarez, Alika Maunakea, Krit Phankitnirundorn, et al.
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: The Economic Research Organization at the University of Hawai'i
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Reports on the impact of the August 2023 Hawaii wildfires on the health, wellness, and life of people living in West Maui and Kula. Topics covered include mental health, physical health, access to healthcare, housing, employment, and social support. The associated dashboard provides data from the report in interactive form.
Additional links: Dashboard
Author(s): Ruben Juarez, Alika Maunakea, Krit Phankitnirundorn, et al.
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: The Economic Research Organization at the University of Hawai'i
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Natural Disasters and Resiliency in Central Appalachia
Discusses issues such as natural disasters, flooding, resource extraction, infrastructure, housing stock, and more in central and rural Appalachia. Focuses on investment and strategies to improve resilience.
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: Housing Assistance Council
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Discusses issues such as natural disasters, flooding, resource extraction, infrastructure, housing stock, and more in central and rural Appalachia. Focuses on investment and strategies to improve resilience.
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: Housing Assistance Council
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Rebuilding Maternal Health Access in Western North Carolina: Addressing Critical Gaps Amplified by Hurricane Helene
Discusses the impact of Hurricane Helene on maternal health in rural North Carolina. Focuses on maternal healthcare workforce shortages, access issues in isolated areas, maternal morbidity and mortality, rural health disparities, and more. Offers suggestions to improve rural maternal health in North Carolina, including enhancing data collection, strengthening infrastructure and access, and addressing the social determinants of health.
Author(s): Jennifer Runkle, Maggie Sugg
Citation: North Carolina Medical Journal, 86(1)
Date: 04/2025
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Discusses the impact of Hurricane Helene on maternal health in rural North Carolina. Focuses on maternal healthcare workforce shortages, access issues in isolated areas, maternal morbidity and mortality, rural health disparities, and more. Offers suggestions to improve rural maternal health in North Carolina, including enhancing data collection, strengthening infrastructure and access, and addressing the social determinants of health.
Author(s): Jennifer Runkle, Maggie Sugg
Citation: North Carolina Medical Journal, 86(1)
Date: 04/2025
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Uranium Exposure, Hypertension, and Blood Pressure in the Strong Heart Family Study
Examines the correlation between uranium exposure and health conditions such as hypertension and blood pressure changes in rural, tribal communities. Analyzes health status and uranium levels of 1,453 participants in the Strong Heart Family Study. Discusses rock and soil health, groundwater, and surface water contamination as factors in uranium exposure.
Author(s): Kevin P. Patterson, Abigail Onderwyzer Gold, Miranda J. Spratlen, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 04/2025
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Examines the correlation between uranium exposure and health conditions such as hypertension and blood pressure changes in rural, tribal communities. Analyzes health status and uranium levels of 1,453 participants in the Strong Heart Family Study. Discusses rock and soil health, groundwater, and surface water contamination as factors in uranium exposure.
Author(s): Kevin P. Patterson, Abigail Onderwyzer Gold, Miranda J. Spratlen, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 04/2025
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