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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health conditions

Using the Machine Learning Algorithm XGBoost to Understand the Correlates of Wearing Hearing Protection in Central States' Agricultural Producers
Examines correlates to the use of hearing protection among agricultural producers in seven states using data from the Farm and Ranch Health and Safety Survey collected in 2018, 2020, and 2023. Uses a machine learning algorithm to identify correlative factors to the use of hearing protection, such as sex, type of agricultural operation, and operator role, among others.
Author(s): Cheryl L. Beseler, Ellen G. Duysen, Risto H. Rautiainen
Citation: American Journal of Audiology, 35(3), 955-964
Date: 09/2026
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Vaccination Coverage Among Adolescents Aged 13–17 Years — National Immunization Survey-Teen, United States, 2025
Reports on vaccination coverage among U.S. adolescents for ages 13 through 17. Includes nonmetro data on vaccination for the following vaccines: Tdap (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis), MenACWY (quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate), and HPV (human papillomavirus). Discusses potential reasons for differences in vaccination coverage for metro versus nonmetro locations.
Author(s): Cassandra Pingali, David Yankey, Laurie D. Elam-Evans, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 75(34), 530-538
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Migration and Aging Across the Rural-Urban Continuum
Examines migration and aging patterns from 1980 to 2020 across the rural-urban continuum. Covers age-specific net migration by decade, retirement-age and working adult migration, aging in place, and the relationship between housing, income, employment, and health on migration. Provides charts, graphs, and county-level U.S. maps depicting migration patterns.
Additional links: Report Summary
Author(s): Justin B. Winikoff, Richelle L. Winkler, John Cromartie, Katherine J. Curtis
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Correlates of Glycemic Status among American Indian Adults With Type 2 Diabetes in Rural Southeastern Oklahoma
Explores correlating factors associated with elevated glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), which is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes complications, in a tribal community in rural southeastern Oklahoma. Discusses the relationship between elevated HbA1c levels and type 2 diabetes. Bases findings on data pulled from electronic health records and breaks down patient data by age, sex, distance to nearest clinic, and number of primary care visits per year, among other factors.
Author(s): Tarah Nelson, Diana J. Wilkie, Yingwei Yao, et al.
Citation: Nursing Research, 75(5), 338-345
Date: 09/2026
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Navigating Rural Challenges and Promoting Posttraumatic Growth via Expressive Writing: A Qualitative Study among Rural Breast Cancer Survivors
Preprint article discussing findings from an expressive writing therapeutic intervention for rural breast cancer survivors via interviews with 14 participants. Analyzes interview themes related to the impact of expressive writing on emotional regulation, personal strength, relationships to others, and more, including discussion of rural challenges with rural cancer survivorship and access to supportive services.
Author(s): Yusi Aveva Xu, Eunju Choi, Celia C. Y. Wong-Meli, et al.
Citation: Supportive Care in Cancer, 34, 965
Date: 09/2026
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Disparities in Rural–Urban Cancer Care Outcomes Among Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Populations: A Comprehensive Narrative Review
Literature review examining research on rural-urban disparities in cancer outcomes and access to care among children aged 0-18 and adolescents and young adults aged 15-39 years. Covers topics including distance to care, cancer incidence, social determinants of health, access to specialized oncology services, mortality, financial toxicity, supportive and survivorship care, and clinical trial access.
Author(s): Olivia C. Burke, Wencesley A. Paez
Citation: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention
Date: 09/2026
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Rural Health Disadvantages in the United States: Evidence from Nationally Representative Data
Describes rural and urban mortality rate disparities since the 1990s and then examines National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 1999, 2000, 2017, and 2020 to identify both individual and place-based factors associated with health outcomes within large metropolitan, small/medium metropolitan, and nonmetropolitan areas. Discusses disparities in the working adult population and how county characteristics contribute to rural and urban gaps.
Author(s): Brandon Restrepo, Elizabeth A. Dobis, Sarah A. Low, Kelsey L. Thomas
Citation: Economics & Human Biology, 62
Date: 09/2026
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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 Ahmmad, Fazlay Faruque, Xiaoli Zhang
Citation: The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, 61, 101547
Date: 09/2026
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The Rural Adult and Youth Skin Protection Study (RAYS): Protocol for a Sun Protection Intervention Trial in Rural Utah and West Virginia Sports Programs
Protocol to examine the effectiveness of a sun protection intervention focused on improving cancer prevention among children ages 3-6 via baseball and softball programs in rural Utah and West Virginia.
Author(s): Yelena P. Wu, Jonathan Chipman, Dannell Boatman, et al.
Citation: Contemporary Clinical Trials, 169, 108417
Date: 08/2026
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Annual Scientific Review of Ultra-Processed Food, Dietary Patterns, and Chronic Disease and Dietary Guidelines for Texans: As Required by Senate Bill 25, 89th Legislative Session
Reports current evidence on nutrition, diet, and chronic disease, and provides recommendations for Texas's public health infrastructure. Mentions rural populations throughout, including rural access to nutritional food, prevalence of chronic disease and mental illness, nutrition education in schools, and more.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Texas Health and Human Services, Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee
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