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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Food security and nutrition

Relationship Between Food Security and Walking for Transportation: Findings by Region and Rurality
Examines how the relationship between food security and walking for transport varies by geographic region and rurality, using 2022 National Health Interview Survey data.
Author(s): Jessica Stroope, Marilyn E. Wende, Robert E. Anderson III, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70181
Date: 06/2026
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Changes in Neighborhood Foodscapes From 2003 to 2023 by Area Rurality in the United States
Examines neighborhood-level characteristics of U.S. foodscapes. Utilizes 2003-2023 licensed food retailer data to analyze healthfulness of available food, food deserts, and food swamps, with data broken down by state and rurality.
Author(s): Daniel Wiese, Marissa M. Shams-White, Zhiyuan Zheng, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 116
Date: 06/2026
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Research Brief: Supporting Indian Tribal Organizations To Expand Summer EBT Access
Analyzes Indian Tribal Organization (ITO) participation in the the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) program. Discusses the history of Summer EBT, ITOs and federal nutrition programs, inclusion of culturally relevant foods, and benefits and barriers of ITO participation in Summer EBT. Includes a U.S. map showing area where states and Tribes administer Summer EBT.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Food Research & Action Center
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1 in 10 Adults Ages 50 and Older Were Food Insecure in 2024
Provides data on food insecurity in adults aged 50 and older in the United States with breakdowns according to state, demographic variables, and metro versus nonmetro location.
Author(s): Olivia Dean, Lauren Toppenberg
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: AARP
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Comparing Patient and Provider Perspectives on a Rural, Multilevel, Community-Engaged Food Is Medicine Intervention
Compares perspectives of 25 low-income patients with chronic disease risk and 19 healthcare providers in the rural Mississippi Delta on potential impacts of a food is medicine (FIM) program. Discusses themes regarding health status improvement, improvements to food insecurity, diet-related disease management and healthcare delivery, implementation barriers, and program adherence.
Author(s): Danielle M. Krobath, Vanessa Nicholson-Robinson, Yarisbel Melo Herrera, et al.
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(5)
Date: 05/2026
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Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households: Fiscal Year 2024
Presents an overview of the SNAP Program eligibility requirements and benefit levels. Provides detailed tables showing comparisons in rural-urban areas. Coverage includes October 2023 through September 2024.
Author(s): Ben Ward, Mia Monkovic
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: USDA Food and Nutrition Administration
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From Pickup to Porch: Best Practices for Diverse Rural Non-Congregate Meal Distribution
A recorded webinar that discusses strategies to successfully implement rural non-congregate (RNC) meal distribution programs. Provides RNC program examples focused on grab-and-go options, mobile meal routes, and home delivery across geographically dispersed areas. Transcript available below description.
Additional links: Slide Deck
Author(s): McKenzie Suitter, Lorinda El Aouita, Christy Lawson
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: No Kid Hungry
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Economic Stability of Children, a Key Social Determinant of Health, in the United States: Differences by Rurality
Presents a study exploring economic security as a social determinant of health for rural children. Compares rates of economic security for rural and urban children by three different measures: housing instability, food insecurity, and income inadequacy.
Author(s): Elizabeth Crouch, Emma Boswell, Cassie Odahowski, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70164
Date: 05/2026
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A Nutrition Environment Measures Survey for Dollar Stores (NEMS-DS) in Rural South Carolina: Assessing Nutrition Equity and WIC Readiness
Examines the role of dollar stores to provide access to nutritious food and serve as vendors for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program in rural areas. Analyzes 13 dollar stores in South Carolina's Lowcountry according to healthy food availability, WIC readiness, and marketing of healthy versus unhealthy food options.
Author(s): Hadis Dastgerdizad, Theresa Andrasfay, Lovelyn Adaobi Isiani
Citation: BMC Public Health, 26, 1803
Date: 04/2026
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Food Alliance's Mobile Food Community Kitchen and Pop-Up Pantry Model
Examines the New Hampshire Community Kitchen's Mobile Food Pantry program, aimed at reducing food insecurity in rural areas. Utilizes qualitative data from 97 participants attending mobile pantry events and discusses issues such as financial stress, transportation barriers, sustainability, and more.
Author(s): Margaret Henning, Magdalynn Graul, Kate McAvoy
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(5), 550
Date: 04/2026
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