Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities
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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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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Cancer in Rural America: Improving Access to Clinical Trials and Quality of Oncologic Care
Discusses the importance of rural populations accessing oncologic clinical trials to decrease cancer morbidity and mortality rates in rural areas. Provides rural versus urban patient data on distance from trial sites as well as prevalence of chronic disease. Suggests strategies and policies to improve access to clinical trials.
Author(s): Joseph M. Unger, Barbara L. McAneny, Raymond U. Osarogiagbon
Citation: CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 75(4), 341-361
Date: 07/2025
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Discusses the importance of rural populations accessing oncologic clinical trials to decrease cancer morbidity and mortality rates in rural areas. Provides rural versus urban patient data on distance from trial sites as well as prevalence of chronic disease. Suggests strategies and policies to improve access to clinical trials.
Author(s): Joseph M. Unger, Barbara L. McAneny, Raymond U. Osarogiagbon
Citation: CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 75(4), 341-361
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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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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The Role of Rurality, Travel Time, and Neighborhood Socioeconomics on Patterns of Adjuvant Therapy Receipt among Patients with Endometrial Cancer
Analyzes associations between rurality, distance to care, and community socioeconomics on receipt of any adjuvant therapy, including vaginal brachytherapy, external beam radiation, and chemotherapy, for the treatment for endometrial cancer. Utilizes SEER data of patients diagnosed between 2006 and 2017.
Author(s): Victoria M. Petermann, Stephanie B. Wheeler, Jennifer L. Lund, et al.
Citation: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 34(8), 1277-1285
Date: 06/2025
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Analyzes associations between rurality, distance to care, and community socioeconomics on receipt of any adjuvant therapy, including vaginal brachytherapy, external beam radiation, and chemotherapy, for the treatment for endometrial cancer. Utilizes SEER data of patients diagnosed between 2006 and 2017.
Author(s): Victoria M. Petermann, Stephanie B. Wheeler, Jennifer L. Lund, et al.
Citation: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 34(8), 1277-1285
Date: 06/2025
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School-Based Health Centers and the Utilization of Primary Care in Rural Communities
Examines utilization patterns of school-based health centers (SBHCs) in 4 rural New York counties. Utilizes 2011–2017 electronic health record data to analyze students with or without access to SBHCs, utilization of SBHCs, and SBHC services used, such as primary care, immunizations, and chronic disease management.
Author(s): Xue Zhang, Sharon Tennyson, Chris L Kjolhede, Wendy M Brunner
Citation: American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 69(4), 107962
Date: 06/2025
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Examines utilization patterns of school-based health centers (SBHCs) in 4 rural New York counties. Utilizes 2011–2017 electronic health record data to analyze students with or without access to SBHCs, utilization of SBHCs, and SBHC services used, such as primary care, immunizations, and chronic disease management.
Author(s): Xue Zhang, Sharon Tennyson, Chris L Kjolhede, Wendy M Brunner
Citation: American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 69(4), 107962
Date: 06/2025
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Linkage of Parent-Infant Health Care Claims Reveals Prenatal Care Gaps and Facilitates Congenital Heart Outcomes Study
Examines disparities in prenatal ultrasound and fetal echocardiogram utilization by demographic group, utilizing care data of infants who underwent congenital heart surgery between 2006 and 2019 in New York. Includes data on rural-urban disparities in receipt of prenatal care.
Author(s): Joyce L. Woo, Kacie L. Dragan, Sarah Crook, et al.
Citation: JACC: Advances, 4(7), 101871
Date: 06/2025
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Examines disparities in prenatal ultrasound and fetal echocardiogram utilization by demographic group, utilizing care data of infants who underwent congenital heart surgery between 2006 and 2019 in New York. Includes data on rural-urban disparities in receipt of prenatal care.
Author(s): Joyce L. Woo, Kacie L. Dragan, Sarah Crook, et al.
Citation: JACC: Advances, 4(7), 101871
Date: 06/2025
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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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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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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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Lifespan Exposures to Rural-Urban Conditions and Later-Life Cognitive Function
Examines associations between rural or urban residence during childhood and adulthood and cognitive outcomes, including mild cognitive impairment and dementia, among older adults, utilizing 2016 Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP) data of 3496 individuals aged 65 years or older.
Author(s): Lingzhi Chu, Yingyan Wu, Heidi Karjalainen, Olivia E Atherton
Citation: Alzheimer's & Dementia, 21(6), e70267
Date: 06/2025
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Examines associations between rural or urban residence during childhood and adulthood and cognitive outcomes, including mild cognitive impairment and dementia, among older adults, utilizing 2016 Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP) data of 3496 individuals aged 65 years or older.
Author(s): Lingzhi Chu, Yingyan Wu, Heidi Karjalainen, Olivia E Atherton
Citation: Alzheimer's & Dementia, 21(6), e70267
Date: 06/2025
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Compendium of Rural Oral Health Best Practices - 2025
Highlights examples of the best practices in rural oral healthcare across the country. Presents a number of models regarding workforce development and training, integration of care, telehealth, clinical care, and policy.
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organizations: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, National Rural Health Association
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Highlights examples of the best practices in rural oral healthcare across the country. Presents a number of models regarding workforce development and training, integration of care, telehealth, clinical care, and policy.
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organizations: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, National Rural Health Association
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