Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Families
Contributing Factors to Rural Energy Use, Costs, and Affordability in the Early 2020s
Examines disparities in energy efficiency and costs in rural and urban households. Utilizes data from the U.S. Department of Energy's 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey to analyze rural versus urban differences in energy use and burden, energy efficiency, extreme weather, housing quality, and energy insecurity according to household types, such as low-income, homes with children, mobile homes, and rentals. Discusses financial and health impacts of poor energy performance in rural areas.
Author(s): Justin B. Winikoff, Hannah Kamen, Richelle L. Winkler
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Examines disparities in energy efficiency and costs in rural and urban households. Utilizes data from the U.S. Department of Energy's 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey to analyze rural versus urban differences in energy use and burden, energy efficiency, extreme weather, housing quality, and energy insecurity according to household types, such as low-income, homes with children, mobile homes, and rentals. Discusses financial and health impacts of poor energy performance in rural areas.
Author(s): Justin B. Winikoff, Hannah Kamen, Richelle L. Winkler
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Agriculture and Natural Resource Programming Has the Largest Share of Extension Personnel
Offers a pie chart depicting the share of extension staff in 5 U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperative Extension System program areas between 2007 and 2018.
Author(s): Tatiana Borisova
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Offers a pie chart depicting the share of extension staff in 5 U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperative Extension System program areas between 2007 and 2018.
Author(s): Tatiana Borisova
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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WIC & FMNP Modernization Evaluation Annual Report - 2025
Examines Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) activities and experiences from September 2025 to February 2026. Focuses on modernization of technology, service delivery, and the shopping experience, improving access to farmers' markets, developing workforce, and conducting effective outreach and enrollment. Includes commentary on program strategies specific to rural areas.
Author(s): H. Zaveri, K. Bodenlos, R. Brooks, et al.
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: USDA Food and Nutrition Administration
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Examines Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) activities and experiences from September 2025 to February 2026. Focuses on modernization of technology, service delivery, and the shopping experience, improving access to farmers' markets, developing workforce, and conducting effective outreach and enrollment. Includes commentary on program strategies specific to rural areas.
Author(s): H. Zaveri, K. Bodenlos, R. Brooks, et al.
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: USDA Food and Nutrition Administration
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2026 CCBHC Impact Report
Discusses the impact certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHCs) have had on expanding access to mental and substance use healthcare, supporting the well-being of children and families, and coordinating with primary care providers, among other measures. Explores national CCBHC implementation status, utilization of services, collaboration with other providers, and workforce support. Includes a breakdown of clientele expansions in rural CCBHCs.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Council for Mental Wellbeing
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Discusses the impact certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHCs) have had on expanding access to mental and substance use healthcare, supporting the well-being of children and families, and coordinating with primary care providers, among other measures. Explores national CCBHC implementation status, utilization of services, collaboration with other providers, and workforce support. Includes a breakdown of clientele expansions in rural CCBHCs.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Council for Mental Wellbeing
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Recovery Is Possible: Continuity of Care from Incarceration to Community, with Kelsea O'Leary
An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring Kelsea O'Leary, Behavioral Health Program Manager for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Focuses on strategies used to facilitate continuity of care for justice-involved tribal citizens in recovery as they transition to post-incarceration life. Part 3 in a 3-part series featuring the 2026 Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Innovation Tank finalists, with Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma's work winning second place.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring Kelsea O'Leary, Behavioral Health Program Manager for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Focuses on strategies used to facilitate continuity of care for justice-involved tribal citizens in recovery as they transition to post-incarceration life. Part 3 in a 3-part series featuring the 2026 Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Innovation Tank finalists, with Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma's work winning second place.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Access to WIC-Authorized Vendors and High-Speed Internet Services in Urban and Rural Areas
Examines the availability Internet services across geographies that enable Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) eligible families to access online WIC shopping options. Utilizes data from 38,279 WIC-authorized vendors during fiscal years 2020-2022 and provides U.S. maps showing census tract-level access to WIC-authorized vendors, access to WIC-authorized vendors and fixed high-speed Internet, and access to WIC-authorized vendors and 5G mobile high-speed Internet. Includes rural versus urban census tract comparisons of adequate Internet access and distance to nearest WIC-authorized vendor.
Additional links: Report Summary
Author(s): Leslie Hodges, John Pender, David Marquardt, Anna Shetler, Joanne Guthrie
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Examines the availability Internet services across geographies that enable Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) eligible families to access online WIC shopping options. Utilizes data from 38,279 WIC-authorized vendors during fiscal years 2020-2022 and provides U.S. maps showing census tract-level access to WIC-authorized vendors, access to WIC-authorized vendors and fixed high-speed Internet, and access to WIC-authorized vendors and 5G mobile high-speed Internet. Includes rural versus urban census tract comparisons of adequate Internet access and distance to nearest WIC-authorized vendor.
Additional links: Report Summary
Author(s): Leslie Hodges, John Pender, David Marquardt, Anna Shetler, Joanne Guthrie
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Household Experiences with Federal Summer Nutrition Programs in 2025: Findings from National Caregiver Surveys of Summer EBT and Rural Non-Congregate Summer Meals Participants and Nonparticipants
Provides information on household experiences with rural non-congregate summer nutrition programs and Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children (SEBT). Utilizes 2025 national caregiver survey data and analyzes program participation, barriers to participation, household perceptions and experiences, perceived benefits, intentions for future participation among households with school-age children, and feedback from households in states that did not offer SEBT.
Additional links: Resource for Sponsors and Outreach Partners, Resource for State Agencies
Author(s): Tracy Vericker, Liana Washburn
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Mathematica, No Kid Hungry
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Provides information on household experiences with rural non-congregate summer nutrition programs and Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children (SEBT). Utilizes 2025 national caregiver survey data and analyzes program participation, barriers to participation, household perceptions and experiences, perceived benefits, intentions for future participation among households with school-age children, and feedback from households in states that did not offer SEBT.
Additional links: Resource for Sponsors and Outreach Partners, Resource for State Agencies
Author(s): Tracy Vericker, Liana Washburn
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Mathematica, No Kid Hungry
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Testing Implementation Strategies for a Family Healthy Weight Program: Results From the Nebraska Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration 3.0 Pilot Trial
Examines the Building Healthy Families (BHF) Online Training Resources and Program Package that is used to help rural areas in Nebraska adopt and implement a family healthy weight program (FHWP). Analyzes a pilot study that implements the BHF Program Package with and without a learning collaborative option and discusses quality of online training resources, child engagement, implementation fidelity, and more.
Author(s): Jennie L. Hill, Kate A. Heelan, Bryce M. Abbey, et al.
Citation: Childhood Obesity Research, 4, 223-232
Date: 06/2026
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Examines the Building Healthy Families (BHF) Online Training Resources and Program Package that is used to help rural areas in Nebraska adopt and implement a family healthy weight program (FHWP). Analyzes a pilot study that implements the BHF Program Package with and without a learning collaborative option and discusses quality of online training resources, child engagement, implementation fidelity, and more.
Author(s): Jennie L. Hill, Kate A. Heelan, Bryce M. Abbey, et al.
Citation: Childhood Obesity Research, 4, 223-232
Date: 06/2026
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How a Father-Daughter Team is Strengthening Rural Maternity Care
A podcast episode that shares the story of two physicians, father and daughter, who provide maternal healthcare in rural Wisconsin. Discusses community-based care, family, and the connected nature of healthcare in rural communities.
Author(s): Kevin Carr, Melissa Carr, Tom Haederle, Julia Resnick
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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A podcast episode that shares the story of two physicians, father and daughter, who provide maternal healthcare in rural Wisconsin. Discusses community-based care, family, and the connected nature of healthcare in rural communities.
Author(s): Kevin Carr, Melissa Carr, Tom Haederle, Julia Resnick
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Tribal Health, Medicaid, and Child Welfare: Supporting Behavioral Health and Traditional Healing
A 3-part series that discusses the collaboration of tribal health, Medicaid, and child welfare systems and the subsequent benefits for Native American and Alaska Native children and families. Includes examples on how to integrate traditional healing practices into behavioral health services.
Author(s): Anne Smithey, Jahira Sterling, Ruby Goyal-Carkeek
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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A 3-part series that discusses the collaboration of tribal health, Medicaid, and child welfare systems and the subsequent benefits for Native American and Alaska Native children and families. Includes examples on how to integrate traditional healing practices into behavioral health services.
Author(s): Anne Smithey, Jahira Sterling, Ruby Goyal-Carkeek
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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