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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities

Baseline Estimates of Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Adults Aged 45 to 75 Years, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2022
Examines colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates for adults aged 45 to 75. Utilizes 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey data to analyze CRC screening status according to respondent demographics, income, access to healthcare and health plans, and metro versus nonmetro location.
Author(s): Sallyann Coleman King, Jessica King, Cheryll C. Thomas, Lisa C. Richardson
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 08/2025
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U.S. Obesity Rate Changes Differ for Rural and Urban Areas, as Well as Across Regions
Reports on rural versus urban and regional differences in obesity prevalence among U.S. adults between 2019 and 2024. Identifies changes in obesity prevalence over time and discusses the geographic factors influencing obesity prevalence.
Author(s): Mariah Ehmke, Brandon J. Restrepo
Citation: Amber Waves
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Confronting the Crisis: Actions to Address Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Among Black Women in Rural Georgia
Discusses the issue of maternal mortality among Black women in rural Georgia. Focuses on policy, proposed solutions and strategies, and community-based collaborations that can provide improved maternal healthcare access to rural areas of Georgia.
Author(s): Jalen Robinson, Jaliyah Screen, Carey Roth Bayer
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 07/2025
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Disparities in Timely Access to Certified Stroke Care Among US Census Tracts, by Prevalence of Health Risk Factors
Examines census tract-level demographic and health characteristics associated with drive times of greater than 60 minutes from certified stroke care or advanced stroke care in the contiguous United States. Highlights rural access disparities and discusses implications for health practice to improve stroke care access in underserved areas.
Author(s): Linda Schieb, Joshua Tootoo, Melissa Fiffer, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22, 240429
Date: 07/2025
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Rural Veterans' Thoughts on High Suicide Rates in Their Communities—and on What to Do About It
Highlights a study on the perspective of rural veterans on methods for suicide prevention in their communities. Bases findings on a survey of veterans in rural counties in Oregon and explores perceptions around socioeconomic resources, person-centered healthcare, and having a strong sense of community.
Author(s): Lauren M. Denneson
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: VA Health Systems Research, Office of Research & Development
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Traffic Safety Facts, 2023 Data: Rural/Urban Traffic Fatalities
Reports 2023 Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data describing fatal motor vehicle crashes. Provides rural versus urban statistics for fatal motor vehicle crashes by light condition, roadway departure and intersection, age group, speeding, alcohol use, seat belt use, and rollover crashes. Includes statistics on ratio of rural to urban fatality rates per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, by state, as of 2023.
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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Evaluation of the Maternal Opioid Misuse (MOM) Model: Fourth Annual Report (Implementation Year 3)
Provides an overview of the Maternal Opioid Misuse Model, which provides evidence-based integrated care and care coordination for pregnant and postpartum Medicaid beneficiaries with opioid use disorder (OUD). Describes activities MOM Model awardees undertook during the MOM Model's second implementation year, July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024, and summarizes qualitative and beneficiary-level process data findings by state awardee. Discusses barriers pregnant and postpartum women with OUD face in accessing high-quality, continuous care, specifically in rural areas.
Additional links: Findings at a Glance
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Westat
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Interventions to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening Uptake in Rural Settings: A Scoping Review
Scoping review examining 36 studies on interventions to increase colorectal cancer (CRC) screening uptake in rural communities. Highlights approaches and strategies of effective interventions and discusses the need for continued research on tailored interventions for underserved communities.
Author(s): Christine M. Kava, PhD, Judith Lee Smith, Emily K. Kobernik, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22, 250025
Date: 06/2025
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Rural Health Disparities: Contemporary Solutions for Persistent Rural Public Health Challenges
Special issue of Preventing Chronic Disease featuring articles that examine rural health disparities and discuss rural public health strategies to address cancer, diabetes, and other chronic conditions, and to promote physical activity.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease
Date: 06/2025
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Impact of COVID-19 on Clinical Trials Costs to Patients
Examines the direct and indirect costs of COVID-19 clinical trial participation to patients and the impact of utilizing remote technologies. Presents an environmental scan of articles published between 2010 and 2023 and discusses barriers to clinical trial participation experienced by underrepresented and rural populations.
Author(s): Keri Calkins, Emily Crabtree, Emily Harrison, Nyna Williams, Kirsten Barrett
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: Mathematica
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