Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health conditions
Identification and Characteristics of Under-Resourced and High-Need Rural Counties
Describes how county-level data on healthcare workforce, chronic disease prevalence, and socioeconomic environment of rural communities can help policymakers identify the highest need counties for targeted policy initiatives and public health intervention. Features county-level U.S. maps showing geographic distribution of chronic disease burden, socioeconomic status, physician density, and overall resource need, with shadings showing level of need or nonrural status.
Author(s): Gabriel A. Benavidez, Emma Boswell, Peiyin Hung, Eyram Owusu-Sekyere, Elizabeth Crouch
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
view details
Describes how county-level data on healthcare workforce, chronic disease prevalence, and socioeconomic environment of rural communities can help policymakers identify the highest need counties for targeted policy initiatives and public health intervention. Features county-level U.S. maps showing geographic distribution of chronic disease burden, socioeconomic status, physician density, and overall resource need, with shadings showing level of need or nonrural status.
Author(s): Gabriel A. Benavidez, Emma Boswell, Peiyin Hung, Eyram Owusu-Sekyere, Elizabeth Crouch
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
view details
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
view details
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
view details
Pennsylvania Cancer Surgery Volume Report: July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 Data
Offers information about the number of cancer-related surgeries performed at each Pennsylvania hospital and ambulatory surgery center. Features statistics with breakdowns by county, facility type, and by 13 types of cancer.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council
view details
Offers information about the number of cancer-related surgeries performed at each Pennsylvania hospital and ambulatory surgery center. Features statistics with breakdowns by county, facility type, and by 13 types of cancer.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council
view details
Geographic and Sociodemographic Patterns in Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes, US, 2021–2024
Analyzes the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in rural and urban populations using 2021-2024 NHIS data. Includes rural-urban data comparisons by sociodemographic group, including sex, age, body mass index, race and ethnicity, income level, food security status, and more.
Author(s): Nicholas Yell, Michelle Asiedu-Danso, Cassie L. Odahowski, Elizabeth Crouch, Gabriel A. Benavidez
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23
Date: 04/2026
view details
Analyzes the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in rural and urban populations using 2021-2024 NHIS data. Includes rural-urban data comparisons by sociodemographic group, including sex, age, body mass index, race and ethnicity, income level, food security status, and more.
Author(s): Nicholas Yell, Michelle Asiedu-Danso, Cassie L. Odahowski, Elizabeth Crouch, Gabriel A. Benavidez
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23
Date: 04/2026
view details
Virginia's Plan for Well-Being: 2025-2029
Offers a data and community-driven roadmap to improve health outcomes and ensure that all Virginians live in conditions that allow them to thrive. Includes statistics on social determinants of health, infant mortality, firearm-related deaths and injury, obesity, mental health, substance use disorder, and housing. Features a county-level map showing rates of drug overdose deaths as of 2021. Mentions rural throughout.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Virginia Department of Health
view details
Offers a data and community-driven roadmap to improve health outcomes and ensure that all Virginians live in conditions that allow them to thrive. Includes statistics on social determinants of health, infant mortality, firearm-related deaths and injury, obesity, mental health, substance use disorder, and housing. Features a county-level map showing rates of drug overdose deaths as of 2021. Mentions rural throughout.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Virginia Department of Health
view details
Impact of Rural Hospital Closures on Survival among Medicare Beneficiaries Diagnosed with Colorectal, Lung, Breast, and Prostate Cancer
Presents a study on the effect rural hospital closures have on mortality rates of patients with colorectal, lung, breast, and prostate cancer using 2000-2020 data from the National Cancer Institute. Breaks down data by closure year and patient demographics, such as age, rural status, and cancer stage, among others.
Author(s): Zhaoli Liu, Daoqi Gao, Tara Martin, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70148
Date: 04/2026
view details
Presents a study on the effect rural hospital closures have on mortality rates of patients with colorectal, lung, breast, and prostate cancer using 2000-2020 data from the National Cancer Institute. Breaks down data by closure year and patient demographics, such as age, rural status, and cancer stage, among others.
Author(s): Zhaoli Liu, Daoqi Gao, Tara Martin, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70148
Date: 04/2026
view details
Rural Community Engagement and Cultural Considerations in the Design and Deployment of Remote Health Monitoring Systems: A Scoping Review
Presents a literature review exploring whether remote health monitoring systems (RHMS) are designed with rural communities in mind as a solution for healthcare access issues. Details RHMS literature by study design, healthcare focus, and issue being monitored, among other measures.
Author(s): Kelly Reed, Victoria M. Petermann, Rhys D. Nicholas, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70141
Date: 04/2026
view details
Presents a literature review exploring whether remote health monitoring systems (RHMS) are designed with rural communities in mind as a solution for healthcare access issues. Details RHMS literature by study design, healthcare focus, and issue being monitored, among other measures.
Author(s): Kelly Reed, Victoria M. Petermann, Rhys D. Nicholas, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70141
Date: 04/2026
view details
Depression and Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among Adolescents Aged 12 to 17 in the Rural and Urban U.S., 2021
Offers information on the percentage of adolescents reporting a major depressive episode or suicidal thoughts and behavior in 2021. Features statistics with breakdowns by 7 levels of population density.
Author(s): Janessa M. Graves, Gina A. Keppel, Lisa A. Garberson, C. Holly A. Andrilla
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
view details
Offers information on the percentage of adolescents reporting a major depressive episode or suicidal thoughts and behavior in 2021. Features statistics with breakdowns by 7 levels of population density.
Author(s): Janessa M. Graves, Gina A. Keppel, Lisa A. Garberson, C. Holly A. Andrilla
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
view details
Aerobic Physical Activity Among Adults Age 18 and Older: United States, 2024
Offers data highlighting aerobic physical activity among adults. Includes a data breakdown by 4 levels of urbanization in addition to other demographic characteristics, family income, education, disability status, and body mass index.
Author(s): Nazik Elgaddal, Ellen A. Kramarow
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
view details
Offers data highlighting aerobic physical activity among adults. Includes a data breakdown by 4 levels of urbanization in addition to other demographic characteristics, family income, education, disability status, and body mass index.
Author(s): Nazik Elgaddal, Ellen A. Kramarow
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
view details
Rural Targeted Messaging, Multiplex Salivary Measurement, and Rural Equity in SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Testing: Protocol Overview of a SeroNet Investigation
Overview of a study protocol to examine the influence of rural-targeted messaging on uptake of serological (antibody) testing for COVID-19, using data of 194 people northern Michigan who viewed either rural-targeted or general didactic videos on antibody testing. Discusses how the study will examine the role of rural messaging on receptivity of antibody testing, among other factors.
Author(s): Leah Maschino, Kelly A. Hirko, Christopher D. Heaney, et al.
Citation: Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 50, 101627
Date: 04/2026
view details
Overview of a study protocol to examine the influence of rural-targeted messaging on uptake of serological (antibody) testing for COVID-19, using data of 194 people northern Michigan who viewed either rural-targeted or general didactic videos on antibody testing. Discusses how the study will examine the role of rural messaging on receptivity of antibody testing, among other factors.
Author(s): Leah Maschino, Kelly A. Hirko, Christopher D. Heaney, et al.
Citation: Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 50, 101627
Date: 04/2026
view details