Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health conditions

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
view details
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
view details
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
view details
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
view details
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
view details
Michigan - Improving Diabetic Eye Exam Rates: A Practical Guide for Rural Health Clinics
A guidebook for Rural Health Centers (RHCs) in Michigan to screen and provide quality care for diabetic retinopathy (DR). Provides recommendations for DR screening, workflow, referral to eye care providers, and reducing barriers in rural areas.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Michigan Center for Rural Health
view details
Sex Differences in Rural Prehospital ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Care
Compares prehospital treatment for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) by sex in rural populations using 2016-2020 STEMI registry data from a rural cohort in North Carolina. Includes data breakdowns by clinical characteristics.
Author(s): Michael W. Supples, Randy S. Carpenter, Nicklaus P. Ashburn, et al.
Citation: Emergency Medicine Journal, 43(8), 486-492
Date: 06/2026
view details
Severe Mental Health Conditions, Fentanyl Injection, and Severe Substance Use Disorders Are Associated with Violent Victimization among Rural Appalachian Adults Who Inject Drugs
Explores the correlation between polyvictimization, having experienced two or more types of violence, and mental health conditions, substance use, and socio-demographic factors among people who inject drugs in rural Appalachia. Breaks down data by types of violence experienced, mental health and substance use history, age, sex, and experience with homelessness, among other measures.
Author(s): Janet K. Otachi, Shawndaya S. Thrasher, Leah A. Munroe, et al.
Citation: The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 52(3), 409-419
Date: 06/2026
view details
Evaluating Underrepresentation in Cancer Clinical Trial Enrollment Across Three National Cancer Institute–Designated Cancer Centers: A Retrospective Demographic Study
Analyzes how the enrollment in cancer clinical trials varies demographically and geographically across three Comprehensive Cancer Centers (Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, Yale Cancer Center). Provides data on rural enrollment by center.
Author(s): Guannan Gong, Jessica Liu, Mahanaz Syed, et al.
Citation: JCO Oncology Advances, 3(2), e2500159
Date: 06/2026
view details
Rural Health and Health Disparities in Hypertension Management: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Discusses factors influencing the high rural prevalence of hypertension and highlights approaches for improving rural hypertension management. Covers topics including nonmedical drivers of health, access to services, medication access and use, nutrition and food insecurity, telehealth, and culturally-tailored service delivery.
Author(s): Cassandra D. Ford, Natalie A. Cameron, Donald Clark, et al.
Citation: Hypertension
Date: 06/2026
view details