Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities
Chronic Pain Prevalence and Trends in Urban, Suburban, and Rural Areas among American Adults Aged 55+, 1998–2022
Compares the prevalence of chronic pain and associated trends in rural, suburban, and urban areas among adults aged 55 and older, utilizing 1998-2022 Health and Retirement Study data.
Author(s): Yulin Yang, Feinuo Sun, Zachary Zimmer, et al.
Citation: Social Science & Medicine, 385, 118625
Date: 10/2025
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Compares the prevalence of chronic pain and associated trends in rural, suburban, and urban areas among adults aged 55 and older, utilizing 1998-2022 Health and Retirement Study data.
Author(s): Yulin Yang, Feinuo Sun, Zachary Zimmer, et al.
Citation: Social Science & Medicine, 385, 118625
Date: 10/2025
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Rural-Urban Differences in Dietary Intake Across Pregnancy Trimesters: A Multisite Prospective Cohort Study
Examines the relationship among dietary intake during pregnancy, socioeconomic status (SES), and rural versus urban location. Analyzes screening data from 495 pregnant women with rural versus urban breakdowns according to study site; demographics; SES variables of income, education, and insurance status; and fiber intake. Discusses the impact of rurality and SES on nutrition during pregnancy.
Author(s): Alex H. Crisp, Bethany Barone Gibbs, Jacob B. Gallagher, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(4), e70085
Date: 10/2025
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Examines the relationship among dietary intake during pregnancy, socioeconomic status (SES), and rural versus urban location. Analyzes screening data from 495 pregnant women with rural versus urban breakdowns according to study site; demographics; SES variables of income, education, and insurance status; and fiber intake. Discusses the impact of rurality and SES on nutrition during pregnancy.
Author(s): Alex H. Crisp, Bethany Barone Gibbs, Jacob B. Gallagher, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(4), e70085
Date: 10/2025
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Higher Mortality Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Rural Versus Urban Dwellers Persists for Two Years Post-Infection
Compares two-year post-COVID-19 mortality by level of rurality among patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection which occurred between April 2020 and December 2022, utilizing National Clinical Cohort Collaborative COVID-19 Enclave data. Includes data on overall mortality risk, excess mortality, trends in mortality over time, and new onset conditions among urban, urban-adjacent rural, and nonurban-adjacent rural populations.
Author(s): A. Jerrod Anzalone, Michael T. Vest, Makayla E. Schissel, et al.
Citation: Nature Communications, 16, 8933
Date: 10/2025
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Compares two-year post-COVID-19 mortality by level of rurality among patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection which occurred between April 2020 and December 2022, utilizing National Clinical Cohort Collaborative COVID-19 Enclave data. Includes data on overall mortality risk, excess mortality, trends in mortality over time, and new onset conditions among urban, urban-adjacent rural, and nonurban-adjacent rural populations.
Author(s): A. Jerrod Anzalone, Michael T. Vest, Makayla E. Schissel, et al.
Citation: Nature Communications, 16, 8933
Date: 10/2025
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"No Rest for Me Tonight": A Social-Ecological Exploration of Insomnia in Rural Appalachian Women
Examines individual, social, and societal factors associated with insomnia among rural, Appalachian women in Kentucky, analyzing and providing excerpts from interviews with 46 women with self-reported insomnia symptoms. Details the high impact of insomnia on women in rural Appalachia and identifies cultural factors influencing insomnia prevalence and treatment.
Author(s): Mairead E. Moloney, Daniela C. Moga, Michael Grandner, Nancy Schoenberg
Citation: Sleep Health, 11(5), 717-723
Date: 10/2025
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Examines individual, social, and societal factors associated with insomnia among rural, Appalachian women in Kentucky, analyzing and providing excerpts from interviews with 46 women with self-reported insomnia symptoms. Details the high impact of insomnia on women in rural Appalachia and identifies cultural factors influencing insomnia prevalence and treatment.
Author(s): Mairead E. Moloney, Daniela C. Moga, Michael Grandner, Nancy Schoenberg
Citation: Sleep Health, 11(5), 717-723
Date: 10/2025
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Geographic and Socioeconomic Landscape of Veterans With Head and Neck Cancer
Explores the geographic and socioeconomic factors that correlate with the higher rates and worse outcomes for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas among veterans compared to civilians. Breaks down data by socioeconomic factors, such as marital status, unemployment, and service connection, among other factors, as well as rurality, travel distance, and drive time.
Author(s): Kristen L. Zayan, Jennifer L. McCoy, Monique Y. Boudreaux-Kelly, et al.
Citation: Head & Neck, 47(10), 2845-2855
Date: 10/2025
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Explores the geographic and socioeconomic factors that correlate with the higher rates and worse outcomes for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas among veterans compared to civilians. Breaks down data by socioeconomic factors, such as marital status, unemployment, and service connection, among other factors, as well as rurality, travel distance, and drive time.
Author(s): Kristen L. Zayan, Jennifer L. McCoy, Monique Y. Boudreaux-Kelly, et al.
Citation: Head & Neck, 47(10), 2845-2855
Date: 10/2025
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Examining Trends in Polydrug Overdose Deaths Across Rural Midwest Counties in the United States, 2022 Through 2024
Highlights a study examining the presence of the drug xylazine in postmortem toxicology of drug overdose deaths in rural Minnesota. Breaks down data by county, drugs co-occurring with xylazine, and demographic characteristics of the deceased, among other measures.
Author(s): Bradley R. Ray, Shane Sheets, Patti Constant, et al.
Citation: Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 275, 112832
Date: 10/2025
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Highlights a study examining the presence of the drug xylazine in postmortem toxicology of drug overdose deaths in rural Minnesota. Breaks down data by county, drugs co-occurring with xylazine, and demographic characteristics of the deceased, among other measures.
Author(s): Bradley R. Ray, Shane Sheets, Patti Constant, et al.
Citation: Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 275, 112832
Date: 10/2025
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Implementing a Mobile Clinic for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment in an Urban and Rural Context
Highlights a study on the efficacy of the mobile clinic model at providing opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment in rural and urban areas. Compares and evaluates mobile OUD treatment programs in Pittsburgh, PA and rural Robeson County, NC. Evaluates programs on the basis of community engagement, cost, and partnerships with local pharmacies, among other measures.
Author(s): Orrin D. Ware, Divya Venkat, Robyn Jordan, et al.
Citation: Substance Use & Addiction Journal, 46(4), 799–805
Date: 10/2025
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Highlights a study on the efficacy of the mobile clinic model at providing opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment in rural and urban areas. Compares and evaluates mobile OUD treatment programs in Pittsburgh, PA and rural Robeson County, NC. Evaluates programs on the basis of community engagement, cost, and partnerships with local pharmacies, among other measures.
Author(s): Orrin D. Ware, Divya Venkat, Robyn Jordan, et al.
Citation: Substance Use & Addiction Journal, 46(4), 799–805
Date: 10/2025
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Colorectal Cancer Survival Disparities in Persistent Poverty Areas
Presents a study exploring the effect of living in a persistent poverty census tract on colorectal cancer (CRC) survival rates in both rural and urban locations. Breaks down data by demographic characteristics, treatment type, and tumor location, among other measures. Draws data from 2013-2019 cancer registry and 2013-2021 death records.
Author(s): Peter DelNero, Mario Schootman, Cheng Peng, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(3), e70045
Date: 09/2025
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Presents a study exploring the effect of living in a persistent poverty census tract on colorectal cancer (CRC) survival rates in both rural and urban locations. Breaks down data by demographic characteristics, treatment type, and tumor location, among other measures. Draws data from 2013-2019 cancer registry and 2013-2021 death records.
Author(s): Peter DelNero, Mario Schootman, Cheng Peng, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(3), e70045
Date: 09/2025
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Rural/Urban Disparities in the Availability of Diabetes Prevention Programs in US Hospitals
Examines access to Diabetes Prevention Programs (DPPs) by geographic and socioeconomic variables. Analyzes DPPs in 3,204 general medical hospitals according to sociodemographic variables such as food environment, insurance rates, income, and more, as well as hospital characteristics, such as ownership type, geographic region, and county location of metro, micro, or noncore.
Author(s): Allyson Hughes, Shyamkumar Sriram, Berkeley Franz, Cory Cronin
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 16
Date: 09/2025
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Examines access to Diabetes Prevention Programs (DPPs) by geographic and socioeconomic variables. Analyzes DPPs in 3,204 general medical hospitals according to sociodemographic variables such as food environment, insurance rates, income, and more, as well as hospital characteristics, such as ownership type, geographic region, and county location of metro, micro, or noncore.
Author(s): Allyson Hughes, Shyamkumar Sriram, Berkeley Franz, Cory Cronin
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 16
Date: 09/2025
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Comparing Guillain-Barré Syndrome Outcomes Between Rural and Urban Hospitals in the United States: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Examines the impact of rural versus urban location on patient outcomes for Guillain-Barré Syndrome-related hospitalizations, utilizing 2021 National Inpatient Sample data. Provides data on patient outcomes including mortality, length of stay, complications, and discharge disposition. Highlights differences in clinical factors and patient demographics influencing care in rural and urban settings.
Author(s): Anudeep Surendranath, Rahul Damani, Anushareddy Muddasani, Anupam Kumar Gupta
Citation: PLoS One, 20(9), e0333403
Date: 09/2025
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Examines the impact of rural versus urban location on patient outcomes for Guillain-Barré Syndrome-related hospitalizations, utilizing 2021 National Inpatient Sample data. Provides data on patient outcomes including mortality, length of stay, complications, and discharge disposition. Highlights differences in clinical factors and patient demographics influencing care in rural and urban settings.
Author(s): Anudeep Surendranath, Rahul Damani, Anushareddy Muddasani, Anupam Kumar Gupta
Citation: PLoS One, 20(9), e0333403
Date: 09/2025
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