Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health conditions
The Obesity-Related Chronic Disease Index (ORCDi), a Novel Composite Metric to Quantify ORCD Burden: An Ecological Study Across U.S. Census Tracts
Analyzes obesity-related conditions across U.S. census-tracts to develop and validate the obesity-related chronic disease index (ORCDi), a metric used to quantify obesity burden at the community level. Utilizes Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) PLACES 2024 data to analyze health conditions across social vulnerability indices (SVIs) and rural-urban commuting area (RUCA) codes. Discusses the utility of ORCDi as a measure in health research to analyze ORCD burden in various communities.
Author(s): Md Roungu Ahmmada, Fazlay Faruqueb, Xiaoli Zhang
Citation: The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, 61, 101547
Date: 09/2026
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Analyzes obesity-related conditions across U.S. census-tracts to develop and validate the obesity-related chronic disease index (ORCDi), a metric used to quantify obesity burden at the community level. Utilizes Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) PLACES 2024 data to analyze health conditions across social vulnerability indices (SVIs) and rural-urban commuting area (RUCA) codes. Discusses the utility of ORCDi as a measure in health research to analyze ORCD burden in various communities.
Author(s): Md Roungu Ahmmada, Fazlay Faruqueb, Xiaoli Zhang
Citation: The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, 61, 101547
Date: 09/2026
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Young Adult Urbanicity, Late Midlife Neighborhood Disadvantage, and Cognitive Functioning in Community-Dwelling Older Men
Examines the impact of geography and neighborhood socioeconomics on cognitive function in older men. Analyzes data of cognitive performance from 881 community-dwelling men with additional breakdowns according to demographic variables, rural versus urban location, and area disadvantage index (ADI).
Author(s): Rongxiang Tang, Asad Beck, Daniel E Gustavson, et al.
Citation: The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 81(8)
Date: 08/2026
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Examines the impact of geography and neighborhood socioeconomics on cognitive function in older men. Analyzes data of cognitive performance from 881 community-dwelling men with additional breakdowns according to demographic variables, rural versus urban location, and area disadvantage index (ADI).
Author(s): Rongxiang Tang, Asad Beck, Daniel E Gustavson, et al.
Citation: The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 81(8)
Date: 08/2026
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Traffic Safety Facts, 2024 Data: Motorcycles
National data on fatal and nonfatal traffic crashes involving two- and three-wheeled motorcycles, off-road motorcycles, mopeds, motor scooters, mini bikes, and pocket bikes. Features statistics from 2015-2024 with breakdowns including fatality and injury rates, age group and day of the week, engine size, speeding involvement, previous driving record of driver, alcohol-impaired driver fatality rate, blood alcohol concentrations of riders, helmet use and state, and rural or urban location.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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National data on fatal and nonfatal traffic crashes involving two- and three-wheeled motorcycles, off-road motorcycles, mopeds, motor scooters, mini bikes, and pocket bikes. Features statistics from 2015-2024 with breakdowns including fatality and injury rates, age group and day of the week, engine size, speeding involvement, previous driving record of driver, alcohol-impaired driver fatality rate, blood alcohol concentrations of riders, helmet use and state, and rural or urban location.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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The Effect of Rural Versus Urban Residence on Risk of Unplanned Readmission and Death in Older Veterans Discharged From VA Hospitals
Examines the relationship among geography, readmission, and mortality rates of older veterans discharged from hospital to home. Examines 2023 readmission rates of 99,557 veterans discharged from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals with data broken down according to sociodemographics, admission characteristics, health status, drive time to nearest VA facility, mortality, and rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Joanne K. Daggy, Anthony J. Perkins, Katie Ross-Driscoll, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70183
Date: 07/2026
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Examines the relationship among geography, readmission, and mortality rates of older veterans discharged from hospital to home. Examines 2023 readmission rates of 99,557 veterans discharged from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals with data broken down according to sociodemographics, admission characteristics, health status, drive time to nearest VA facility, mortality, and rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Joanne K. Daggy, Anthony J. Perkins, Katie Ross-Driscoll, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70183
Date: 07/2026
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Alpha-gal Immunoglobulin E Seroprevalence Among Blood Donors — 10 States, 2024–2025
Reports on prevalence of alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), an allergy to meat and dairy due to tick bites, based on blood donor samples collected during 2024–2025 from 10 states. Includes data for rural, suburban, and urban locations.
Author(s): Eleanor F. Saunders, Marissa L. Taylor, Emma S. Jones, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 75(25), 315-321
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Reports on prevalence of alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), an allergy to meat and dairy due to tick bites, based on blood donor samples collected during 2024–2025 from 10 states. Includes data for rural, suburban, and urban locations.
Author(s): Eleanor F. Saunders, Marissa L. Taylor, Emma S. Jones, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 75(25), 315-321
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Rural Pediatric Readiness: Improving Emergency Care for Kids
Features rural providers in Texas and Wyoming working to improve their ability to provide quality emergency care to pediatric patients, as well as a pediatric readiness training program in Georgia.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Features rural providers in Texas and Wyoming working to improve their ability to provide quality emergency care to pediatric patients, as well as a pediatric readiness training program in Georgia.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Rural-Urban Disparities in Cardiovascular and Other Competing Risk of Death among Cancer Patients
Examines rural versus urban disparities in cardiovascular (CVD) death among cancer patients. Utilizes 1990-2017 data from 2,022,482 cancer patients and provides data breakdowns according to mortality, rural versus urban location, and cause of death. Discusses non-cancer and CVD death burden in cancer patients living in rural areas.
Author(s): Tianwang Guan, Jiaqi He, Liangjia Zeng, et al.
Citation: Journal of Advanced Research, 85, 725-736
Date: 07/2026
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Examines rural versus urban disparities in cardiovascular (CVD) death among cancer patients. Utilizes 1990-2017 data from 2,022,482 cancer patients and provides data breakdowns according to mortality, rural versus urban location, and cause of death. Discusses non-cancer and CVD death burden in cancer patients living in rural areas.
Author(s): Tianwang Guan, Jiaqi He, Liangjia Zeng, et al.
Citation: Journal of Advanced Research, 85, 725-736
Date: 07/2026
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Exploring Associations Between Well-Being, Mental Distress, and Five Dimensions of Social Capital in Rural Georgia
Explores the role social capital plays in supporting mental health and well-being in rural communities. Bases findings on surveys collected from residents of 6 rural counties in Georgia. Breaks down findings by rates of mental health and well-being by dimension of social capital: trust, diversity of interactions, reciprocity, civic engagement, and voting.
Author(s): Alexis Joanna Smith, Lauren M Bigger, Robin E McGee, et al.
Citation: Family and Community Health, 49(3), 192-196
Date: 07/2026
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Explores the role social capital plays in supporting mental health and well-being in rural communities. Bases findings on surveys collected from residents of 6 rural counties in Georgia. Breaks down findings by rates of mental health and well-being by dimension of social capital: trust, diversity of interactions, reciprocity, civic engagement, and voting.
Author(s): Alexis Joanna Smith, Lauren M Bigger, Robin E McGee, et al.
Citation: Family and Community Health, 49(3), 192-196
Date: 07/2026
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Beyond Maternal Mortality: How Severe Morbidity Reveals Policy Gaps in Maternal Care
Provides information about severe maternal morbidity (SMM) in the United States across sociodemographic groups and discusses possible policy interventions, including rural-specific strategies. Examines data on SMM with data broken down by year, state, medical condition, patient demographics, cost of delivery, insurance type, rurality, and hospital type of metro non-teaching, metro teaching, or rural.
Author(s): Eugene Declercq, Laurie C. Zephyrin
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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Provides information about severe maternal morbidity (SMM) in the United States across sociodemographic groups and discusses possible policy interventions, including rural-specific strategies. Examines data on SMM with data broken down by year, state, medical condition, patient demographics, cost of delivery, insurance type, rurality, and hospital type of metro non-teaching, metro teaching, or rural.
Author(s): Eugene Declercq, Laurie C. Zephyrin
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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Syphilis Outbreak Field Outreach, Overdose Prevention, and Tribal Collaboration: Lessons Learned from Oklahoma State Department of Health
Details how the Oklahoma State Department of Health addressed a syphilis outbreak concurrently with overdose prevention efforts across rural, urban, and tribal areas via partnerships with the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board and other tribal and community organizations.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organizations: National Association of County and City Health Officials, Oklahoma State Department of Health
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Details how the Oklahoma State Department of Health addressed a syphilis outbreak concurrently with overdose prevention efforts across rural, urban, and tribal areas via partnerships with the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board and other tribal and community organizations.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organizations: National Association of County and City Health Officials, Oklahoma State Department of Health
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