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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health conditions

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
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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
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Distance to Care, Regional Context, and Survival in Early‐Onset Colorectal Cancer
Examines the impact of rurality and traveling for care on early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) survival. Utilizes 2010-2022 National Cancer Database data to analyze 404,440 individuals for EOCRC compared to average-onset colorectal cancer (AOCRC), with additional breakdowns according to distance traveled for care, CRC type, rural versus urban location, survival, and undergoing surgery.
Author(s): Sara Myers, Elizabeth S. Davis, Sing Chau Ng, et al.
Citation: Journal of Surgical Oncology, 134(3), 403-412
Date: 06/2026
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2025 Survey of Veteran Enrollees' Health and Use of Health Care
Report discusses the overall health and healthcare usage throughout the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Bases findings on a survey of enrollees and breaks down data by demographics, health insurance, current health status, and healthcare use, among other measures. Compares rural and urban unemployment data.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Veterans Health Administration
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The Need for Community-Based Multimodal Screening for Chronic Disease and Cancer in Rural Kansas
Discusses how the development of community-based, multimodal screening infrastructure can address the high prevalence of cancer and other chronic diseases in rural Kansas by improving access to preventive services and effectively addressing clustered chronic health conditions.
Author(s): Jordan A. Neely, Jerah R. Schmidt, Elham S. Ziaei, et al.
Citation: International Journal of General Medicine, 19, 613943
Date: 06/2026
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Feasibility and Acceptability of a Rural Palliative Care Intervention for Patients with Heart Failure (RuPAL-HF)
Evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of a collaborative palliative care model among 13 patients with heart failure receiving care at a primary care clinic in rural Maine. Covers topics including staff training outcomes, telehealth use, and the facilitators of end-of-life conversations, planning documents, and more.
Author(s): Francesca X. Piccolo, Eric C. Anderson, Hanna Gutow, et al.
Citation: BMC Palliative Care, 25, 245
Date: 06/2026
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Veterans Affairs Clinical Resource Hub Improve Access to Mental Health Services for Rural Veterans
Evaluates 627,436 telemental health service encounters over 5 years with rural veterans to determine the impact of 18 Clinical Resource Hubs on access to mental healthcare. Discusses how utilization of telemental health services increased over the 5 years, trends in modality types, and mental health diagnoses, in addition to other demographic characteristics.
Author(s): Erin Jaske, Chelle L. Wheat, Bradford Felker, et al.
Citation: Telemedicine and e-Health, 2026
Date: 06/2026
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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
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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
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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
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