Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Food security and nutrition
Feasibility Study of a Screening Decision Tool for Allocating Adults into Food Is Medicine Programs as an Effective Approach to Target Clinical and Dietary Outcomes among Rural and Urban Adults
Examines the feasibility of utilizing a food insecurity screening tool to identify hypertension patients in a Kentucky hospital system needing medically tailored meals (MTM) or grocery prescription (Rx). Provides rural versus urban program comparisons, with data on clinical results as well as qualitative feedback from participants. Discusses the screening tool's effectiveness in identifying nutrition needs in both rural and urban patients.
Author(s): Alison Gustafson, Carolyn Lauckner, Joshua L. Bush, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 14
Date: 04/2026
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Examines the feasibility of utilizing a food insecurity screening tool to identify hypertension patients in a Kentucky hospital system needing medically tailored meals (MTM) or grocery prescription (Rx). Provides rural versus urban program comparisons, with data on clinical results as well as qualitative feedback from participants. Discusses the screening tool's effectiveness in identifying nutrition needs in both rural and urban patients.
Author(s): Alison Gustafson, Carolyn Lauckner, Joshua L. Bush, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 14
Date: 04/2026
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USDA FY 2027 Annual Performance Plan / FY 2025 Annual Performance Report
Outlines a strategic plan for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in fiscal year (FY) 2027, and reports on USDA's performance in FY 2025. Discusses topics including rural community development, chronic disease, nutrition, and more.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture
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Outlines a strategic plan for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in fiscal year (FY) 2027, and reports on USDA's performance in FY 2025. Discusses topics including rural community development, chronic disease, nutrition, and more.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture
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Associations Between Income and Coping Strategies among Households at Risk of Food Insecurity in a High Cost-of-Living Region
Surveys 1,021 food insecure adults in a rural, high cost of living region of Colorado to explore the associations between receiving charitable food and making economic tradeoffs for basic needs including medicine, housing, utilities, childcare, education, and transportation. Highlights trends within different ranges of the 2022 federal poverty level.
Author(s): Ana Altares, Laura L. Bellows, Rebecca Cleary, Carrie Chennault, Megan P. Mueller
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(4)
Date: 04/2026
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Surveys 1,021 food insecure adults in a rural, high cost of living region of Colorado to explore the associations between receiving charitable food and making economic tradeoffs for basic needs including medicine, housing, utilities, childcare, education, and transportation. Highlights trends within different ranges of the 2022 federal poverty level.
Author(s): Ana Altares, Laura L. Bellows, Rebecca Cleary, Carrie Chennault, Megan P. Mueller
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(4)
Date: 04/2026
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Social Determinants of Sleep Health Inequities Among Rural Appalachian Adults
Evaluates the sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, and psychosocial factors of 327 rural Appalachian adults to identify associations with insufficient sleep duration, insomnia, and obstructive sleep apnea risk.
Author(s): Mairead E. Moloney, Emily Slade, Joon Chung
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(4)
Date: 04/2026
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Evaluates the sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, and psychosocial factors of 327 rural Appalachian adults to identify associations with insufficient sleep duration, insomnia, and obstructive sleep apnea risk.
Author(s): Mairead E. Moloney, Emily Slade, Joon Chung
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(4)
Date: 04/2026
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Rural Community Perspectives on Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina
Assesses community perspectives of long-term recovery in two rural western North Carolina counties severely affected by Hurricane Helene. Focuses on housing, communication, transportation, mental health, and food insecurity.
Author(s): Jennifer A. Horney, Lilly Moreau
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 8(1), 60-68
Date: 04/2026
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Assesses community perspectives of long-term recovery in two rural western North Carolina counties severely affected by Hurricane Helene. Focuses on housing, communication, transportation, mental health, and food insecurity.
Author(s): Jennifer A. Horney, Lilly Moreau
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 8(1), 60-68
Date: 04/2026
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Impact of Food Literacy Education on Rural, Uninsured Patients With Diabetes
Examines changes in food literacy among 140 diabetic or prediabetic adults without insurance participating in the Fresh Start Food is Medicine (FIM) + Food Literacy intervention, which provided group classes on food literacy, direct provision of produce, and health coaching in rural, eastern North Carolina. Provides data on racial and ethnic disparities in food literacy before and after participation.
Author(s): Raven Breinholt, Brandon J. Stroud, Lauren R. Sastre
Citation: Journal of Nutrition and Behavior, 58, 379-393
Date: 04/2026
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Examines changes in food literacy among 140 diabetic or prediabetic adults without insurance participating in the Fresh Start Food is Medicine (FIM) + Food Literacy intervention, which provided group classes on food literacy, direct provision of produce, and health coaching in rural, eastern North Carolina. Provides data on racial and ethnic disparities in food literacy before and after participation.
Author(s): Raven Breinholt, Brandon J. Stroud, Lauren R. Sastre
Citation: Journal of Nutrition and Behavior, 58, 379-393
Date: 04/2026
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Food is Medicine Guide Book: A Resource for Expanding Produce Prescription and Voucher Incentive Programs in Illinois
Provides guidance on Food is Medicine initiatives such as produce prescription (PRx) and voucher incentive programs that use nutritious food to help manage chronic disease. Includes best practices and case studies with considerations for implementation in rural areas.
Author(s): Kathryn Bernstein, Courtney Clay, Trevor Johnson, etc.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Public Health Institute
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Provides guidance on Food is Medicine initiatives such as produce prescription (PRx) and voucher incentive programs that use nutritious food to help manage chronic disease. Includes best practices and case studies with considerations for implementation in rural areas.
Author(s): Kathryn Bernstein, Courtney Clay, Trevor Johnson, etc.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Public Health Institute
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Acceptability and Satisfaction of Eat My ABCs: A Mindful Eating Program for Preschoolers in Low-Income Families
Examines a Head Start-based mindful eating program for low-income families in rural Michigan. Utilizes quantitative and qualitative satisfaction data from 192 caregivers and 23 classroom teachers and provides feedback on their perceived program acceptability and satisfaction. Discusses issues such as parent communication, availability of fresh fruits and vegetables, child comprehension of the program, recruitment strategies, and more.
Author(s): Hannah Lalonde, Esra'a Sawalmeh, Reese Buhlman, et al.
Citation: Nutrients, 18(7), 1103
Date: 03/2026
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Examines a Head Start-based mindful eating program for low-income families in rural Michigan. Utilizes quantitative and qualitative satisfaction data from 192 caregivers and 23 classroom teachers and provides feedback on their perceived program acceptability and satisfaction. Discusses issues such as parent communication, availability of fresh fruits and vegetables, child comprehension of the program, recruitment strategies, and more.
Author(s): Hannah Lalonde, Esra'a Sawalmeh, Reese Buhlman, et al.
Citation: Nutrients, 18(7), 1103
Date: 03/2026
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Hunger Doesn't Take a Vacation: The Reach of Summer Meals
Examines utilization of federal summer nutrition programs for children in 2024. Provides statistics on summer meals and information on the impact of the Rural Non-Congregate Option legislation implemented in Summer 2024.
Author(s): K. Boone, C. Hayes
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Food Research & Action Center
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Examines utilization of federal summer nutrition programs for children in 2024. Provides statistics on summer meals and information on the impact of the Rural Non-Congregate Option legislation implemented in Summer 2024.
Author(s): K. Boone, C. Hayes
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Food Research & Action Center
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A Community Supported Agriculture Produce Prescription Pilot Program in the Northern Black Hills
Examines the impact of Dakota Food Rx, a community agricultural produce prescription program in the rural Northern Black Hills of South Dakota. Evaluates the program according to participant feedback on issues such as food security, nutritional quality, health changes, and overall program satisfaction.
Author(s): Gemma E. Bastian, Sarah Lane, Haley McMahon, Olivia A. Husmann, Evangeline A. Schumacher
Citation: Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 15(2), 1-19
Date: 03/2026
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Examines the impact of Dakota Food Rx, a community agricultural produce prescription program in the rural Northern Black Hills of South Dakota. Evaluates the program according to participant feedback on issues such as food security, nutritional quality, health changes, and overall program satisfaction.
Author(s): Gemma E. Bastian, Sarah Lane, Haley McMahon, Olivia A. Husmann, Evangeline A. Schumacher
Citation: Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 15(2), 1-19
Date: 03/2026
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