Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health conditions
Glioblastoma Survival in Rural America: A 10-Year Experience from a Quaternary Care Center
Examines factors influencing glioblastoma survival and overall prognosis among West Virginians, using medical record data of 380 adults treated at WVU Ruby Memorial Hospital between January 2015 and August 2025. Includes data on patient rurality, sex, treatment received, and more. Discusses the role of referrals in mitigating rural access barriers for cancer care and improving rural cancer outcomes.
Author(s): Emily Pack, Christopher P. Cifarelli, Sanjay Bhatia, et al.
Citation: Journal of Neuro-Oncology, 177(36)
Date: 03/2026
view details
Examines factors influencing glioblastoma survival and overall prognosis among West Virginians, using medical record data of 380 adults treated at WVU Ruby Memorial Hospital between January 2015 and August 2025. Includes data on patient rurality, sex, treatment received, and more. Discusses the role of referrals in mitigating rural access barriers for cancer care and improving rural cancer outcomes.
Author(s): Emily Pack, Christopher P. Cifarelli, Sanjay Bhatia, et al.
Citation: Journal of Neuro-Oncology, 177(36)
Date: 03/2026
view details
Traumatic Brain Injury among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Veterans Accessing Veterans Health Administration Homeless Services: A Preliminary Examination
Compares traumatic brain injury diagnoses among homeless Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) and non-NHPI veterans using 2005-2018 Veterans Health Administration homeless services data. Includes data breakdowns by rurality, among other factors.
Author(s): Ryan Holliday, Sara Lum, Christine Kindler, et al.
Citation: Hawaiʻi Journal of Health and Social Welfare, 85(3), 64-72
Date: 03/2026
view details
Compares traumatic brain injury diagnoses among homeless Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) and non-NHPI veterans using 2005-2018 Veterans Health Administration homeless services data. Includes data breakdowns by rurality, among other factors.
Author(s): Ryan Holliday, Sara Lum, Christine Kindler, et al.
Citation: Hawaiʻi Journal of Health and Social Welfare, 85(3), 64-72
Date: 03/2026
view details
Increasing Uptake of Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) in Rural Kentucky Primary Care Clinics: Findings From a Pilot Pragmatic Cluster-Randomized Trial
Provides findings from a quality improvement pilot study focused on increasing diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) uptake via coaching and technical assistance in rural Kentucky primary care clinics.
Author(s): Mary E. Lacy, Jessica Elliott, Vance Drakeford, et al.
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 17
Date: 03/2026
view details
Provides findings from a quality improvement pilot study focused on increasing diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) uptake via coaching and technical assistance in rural Kentucky primary care clinics.
Author(s): Mary E. Lacy, Jessica Elliott, Vance Drakeford, et al.
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 17
Date: 03/2026
view details
Assessment of Rebound in Cancer Diagnoses in California in 2022, by Stage, Sociodemographic Factors, and Rurality
Examines how cancer diagnoses differed in California in 2022 by sociodemographic and geographic group, using 2001-2022 NCI SEER data. See Supplementary Tables for data breakdowns by cancer type and level of rurality.
Author(s): Erin L. Van Blarigan, Alison J. Canchola, Li Zhu, et al.
Citation: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 35(3), 415-419
Date: 03/2026
view details
Examines how cancer diagnoses differed in California in 2022 by sociodemographic and geographic group, using 2001-2022 NCI SEER data. See Supplementary Tables for data breakdowns by cancer type and level of rurality.
Author(s): Erin L. Van Blarigan, Alison J. Canchola, Li Zhu, et al.
Citation: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 35(3), 415-419
Date: 03/2026
view details
March 2026 MedPAC Meeting Transcript
Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) March 2026 meeting. Covers research and proposals related to the Medicare ground ambulance data collection system, access to hospice and certain complex palliative services for beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease and beneficiaries with cancer, provider participation in Medicare Advantage (MA) networks, MA encounter data in risk adjustment, the complexity of Medicare enrollment decisions for beneficiaries, and Medicare Part B premium payment basics. Includes rural references and considerations throughout.
Additional links: Mandated Report: Assessment of the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
view details
Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) March 2026 meeting. Covers research and proposals related to the Medicare ground ambulance data collection system, access to hospice and certain complex palliative services for beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease and beneficiaries with cancer, provider participation in Medicare Advantage (MA) networks, MA encounter data in risk adjustment, the complexity of Medicare enrollment decisions for beneficiaries, and Medicare Part B premium payment basics. Includes rural references and considerations throughout.
Additional links: Mandated Report: Assessment of the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
view details
Exploring Maternal Mental Health Conditions and Urban-Rural Disparities in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy in South Carolina: A Fairlie Decomposition Approach
Examines the impact of maternal mental health on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) in rural and urban areas of South Carolina. Utilizes data from 270,000 mothers with HDP to analyze maternal mental health conditions according to rural versus urban location, demographic variables, quality of prenatal care, mother's health condition, and more.
Author(s): Manan Roy, Maggie Sugg, Jennifer Runkle
Citation: Maternal and Child Health Journal, 30, 452-463
Date: 03/2026
view details
Examines the impact of maternal mental health on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) in rural and urban areas of South Carolina. Utilizes data from 270,000 mothers with HDP to analyze maternal mental health conditions according to rural versus urban location, demographic variables, quality of prenatal care, mother's health condition, and more.
Author(s): Manan Roy, Maggie Sugg, Jennifer Runkle
Citation: Maternal and Child Health Journal, 30, 452-463
Date: 03/2026
view details
Assessing Environmental, Nutritional, and Genetic Factors for Otitis Media-Related Hearing Loss in Rural Alaska Native Children
Highlights a study on the relationship between otitis media, a middle ear disease associated with childhood hearing loss, and environmental, genetic, and dietary risk factors among children aged 1-4 in Alaska Native communities in the rural Norton Sound region of Alaska. Explores the presence of genetic factors that increase the likelihood of respiratory infections in newborns, rates of breastfeeding, and environmental factors, such as smoke exposure and availability of running water, among others.
Author(s): Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Alyssa Platt, Rolvix H Patterson, et al.
Citation: Ear & Hearing, 47(2), 404-416
Date: 03/2026
view details
Highlights a study on the relationship between otitis media, a middle ear disease associated with childhood hearing loss, and environmental, genetic, and dietary risk factors among children aged 1-4 in Alaska Native communities in the rural Norton Sound region of Alaska. Explores the presence of genetic factors that increase the likelihood of respiratory infections in newborns, rates of breastfeeding, and environmental factors, such as smoke exposure and availability of running water, among others.
Author(s): Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Alyssa Platt, Rolvix H Patterson, et al.
Citation: Ear & Hearing, 47(2), 404-416
Date: 03/2026
view details
Understanding Risk Factors for Otitis Media in Rural Alaska Native Children: A Cohort Study
Presents a study on the relationship between otitis media, a middle ear disease associated with childhood hearing loss, and environmental, genetic, and dietary risk factors among children aged 1-4 in Alaska Native communities in the rural Bering Strait region of Alaska. Explores the presence of genetic factors that increase the likelihood of respiratory infections in newborns, rates of breastfeeding, and environmental factors, such as smoke exposure and availability of running water, among others.
Author(s): Rolvix H Patterson, Susan D Emmett, Kelli L Scheinman, et al.
Citation: Ear & Hearing, 47(2), 417-428
Date: 03/2026
view details
Presents a study on the relationship between otitis media, a middle ear disease associated with childhood hearing loss, and environmental, genetic, and dietary risk factors among children aged 1-4 in Alaska Native communities in the rural Bering Strait region of Alaska. Explores the presence of genetic factors that increase the likelihood of respiratory infections in newborns, rates of breastfeeding, and environmental factors, such as smoke exposure and availability of running water, among others.
Author(s): Rolvix H Patterson, Susan D Emmett, Kelli L Scheinman, et al.
Citation: Ear & Hearing, 47(2), 417-428
Date: 03/2026
view details
Wastewater Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 in Rural Kentucky, 2021–2023
Examines results from SARS-CoV-2 wastewater testing in majority rural Eastern Kentucky counties. Analyzes 818 wastewater samples to provide information on COVID-19 incidence from 2021 to 2023. Discusses how wastewater surveillance in rural communities can assist in describing disease levels.
Author(s): James W. Keck, Reuben Adatorwovor, Ann Noble, et al.
Citation: Viruses, 18(3), 282
Date: 02/2026
view details
Examines results from SARS-CoV-2 wastewater testing in majority rural Eastern Kentucky counties. Analyzes 818 wastewater samples to provide information on COVID-19 incidence from 2021 to 2023. Discusses how wastewater surveillance in rural communities can assist in describing disease levels.
Author(s): James W. Keck, Reuben Adatorwovor, Ann Noble, et al.
Citation: Viruses, 18(3), 282
Date: 02/2026
view details
Cardiovascular Mortality Risk After Cancer Diagnosis by County‐Level Characteristics in the United States 2000–2021
Examines how cardiovascular disease mortality among cancer survivors differs by county rural or urban status, persistent poverty, and racial composition, using 2000-2021 SEER 17 Registries data.
Author(s): Yenan Zhu, Ryan Suk, Yueh‐Yun Lin, Young‐Rock Hong, Beth Virnig
Citation: Cancer Medicine, 15(3), e71675
Date: 02/2026
view details
Examines how cardiovascular disease mortality among cancer survivors differs by county rural or urban status, persistent poverty, and racial composition, using 2000-2021 SEER 17 Registries data.
Author(s): Yenan Zhu, Ryan Suk, Yueh‐Yun Lin, Young‐Rock Hong, Beth Virnig
Citation: Cancer Medicine, 15(3), e71675
Date: 02/2026
view details