Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health conditions
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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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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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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Correlates of Homebound Status by Rural/Urban Location, Socio-Demographic Characteristics, and Health Status
Examines factors associated with homebound status in older adults across rural and urban locations. Uses 2022-2023 National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) data from 6,125 Medicare beneficiaries and analyzes rural versus urban differences in homebound status, sociodemographics, Medicaid eligibility, health status, and more.
Author(s): Dionne Bailey, Megan Lahr, Katie Rydberg, Carrie Henning-Smith
Citation: Journal of Applied Gerontology
Date: 08/2026
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Examines factors associated with homebound status in older adults across rural and urban locations. Uses 2022-2023 National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) data from 6,125 Medicare beneficiaries and analyzes rural versus urban differences in homebound status, sociodemographics, Medicaid eligibility, health status, and more.
Author(s): Dionne Bailey, Megan Lahr, Katie Rydberg, Carrie Henning-Smith
Citation: Journal of Applied Gerontology
Date: 08/2026
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Urban-Rural Disparities in Treatment and Outcomes for Colorectal Liver Metastases in the United States: A SEER-Medicare Analysis
Analyzes whether the characteristics, treatment, and survival of Medicare patients ages 66-85 with colorectal liver metastases vary by rural or urban dwelling, using 2000-2020 SEER-Medicare data.
Author(s): Mayte Bryce-Alberti, Victoria Stoffel, Isabella Blanchard, et al.
Citation: Annals of Surgical Oncology, 33, 10029-10037
Date: 08/2026
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Analyzes whether the characteristics, treatment, and survival of Medicare patients ages 66-85 with colorectal liver metastases vary by rural or urban dwelling, using 2000-2020 SEER-Medicare data.
Author(s): Mayte Bryce-Alberti, Victoria Stoffel, Isabella Blanchard, et al.
Citation: Annals of Surgical Oncology, 33, 10029-10037
Date: 08/2026
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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