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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 Ahmmad, Fazlay Faruque, Xiaoli Zhang
Citation: The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, 61, 101547
Date: 09/2026
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Colorado RHT Program Annual Report - Year 1
Reports on the first year of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) in Colorado as of June 30, 2026. Details the state policy actions, uses of funds, recipients of funds, and progress reports for each initiative funded by RHTP.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing
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Increasing Cardiovascular Disease Risk Predicts Faster Cognitive Decline: A Bayesian Analysis of a Cohort of Adults in Rural West Texas
Analyzes associations between atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk and cognitive decline over time using longitudinal cohort data of 383 rural-dwelling adults aged 40+ in West Texas.
Author(s): Chathurika S. Dhanasekara, Chanaka N. Kahathuduwa, Volker Neugebauer
Citation: The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, 13(9)
Date: 08/2026
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Factors Associated With COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Preferred Sources of Health Information Among Medically Underserved Populations in North Carolina
Results of a study of vaccine hesitancy in North Carolina, using data from 918 participants in 40 rural counties with high Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area scores, who completed a survey in the summer of 2021. Features demographics and other statistics.
Author(s): Celeste R. Gracey, Godwin Y. Dogbey, David R. Tillman, Amy N. Hinkelman
Citation: North Carolina Medical Journal
Date: 08/2026
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Vermont Firearm Injury and Death
Offers data on firearm-related deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits in Vermont through 2025. Features county-level maps showing rates of injury per 100,000 hospital visits and deaths per 100,000 Vermont residents.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Vermont Department of Health
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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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Rural–Urban Differences in Cervical Cancer Screening Patterns: A Cross‐Sectional Analysis of the 2021 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)
Compares cervical cancer screening rates and experiences among rural and urban women, using 2021 National Health Interview Survey data. Provides data on likelihood of ever receiving cervical cancer screening, time since most recent screening, screening type, abnormal test results, and more.
Author(s): Anika Eldien, Laura Hankins, Taylor Neilson, Ingrid Jacobson
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70210
Date: 08/2026
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Rural/Urban Disparities in Utilization of Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) to the Fee-for-Service Medicare Population, 2017-2024
Analyzes disparities in Diabetes Self-Management Training use among Medicare beneficiaries, using data from 2017-2024. Expands on a 2020 study to assess whether disparities have persisted, widened, or narrowed over time, and to examine broader trends in service availability, provider participation, and beneficiary use. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Author(s): Wanying Zhu, Aleksandr Taraskin, Jeffery Talbert
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
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Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program AIDS Education and Training Center (AETC) Program: Annual Data Report, 2024
Reports on the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program's AIDS Education and Training Center (AETC) Program, which focuses on increasing the size and skills of the HIV clinical workforce, improving HIV care outcomes, and decreasing HIV transmission. Provides AETC Program data for the years 2019-2024 on participants' rural/suburban/urban employment settings and training events focused on rural populations.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau
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