Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities
America's Health Rankings Senior Report 2026
Presents 56 measures of health and well-being from 25 data sources, to provide a picture of older adult health across the country, with comparisons by metro and nonmetro areas. Features insights on factors that shape the health of older adults in rural areas, and includes a state-level map with shadings showing ranges of rural population age 65 and older as of 2024.
Additional links: Executive Brief, Risk of Isolation County-Level Maps, State Summaries
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
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Presents 56 measures of health and well-being from 25 data sources, to provide a picture of older adult health across the country, with comparisons by metro and nonmetro areas. Features insights on factors that shape the health of older adults in rural areas, and includes a state-level map with shadings showing ranges of rural population age 65 and older as of 2024.
Additional links: Executive Brief, Risk of Isolation County-Level Maps, State Summaries
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
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Working on Wellness: The Rural Health and Employment Link
Examines the relationship between rural population health outcomes and employment security. Provides data on labor force participation, life expectancy, unhealthy days, and disability rates across the rural-urban continuum. Discusses metro versus nonmetro differences in workplace hazards and physical exertion.
Author(s): Surekha Carpenter, Bethany Greene, Stephanie Norris
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
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Examines the relationship between rural population health outcomes and employment security. Provides data on labor force participation, life expectancy, unhealthy days, and disability rates across the rural-urban continuum. Discusses metro versus nonmetro differences in workplace hazards and physical exertion.
Author(s): Surekha Carpenter, Bethany Greene, Stephanie Norris
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
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Improving Maternal Mental Health in Women With Serious Mental Illness
Report highlights gaps in maternal mental healthcare access and highlights promising practices aimed at closing those gaps in several states. Discusses factors that affect maternal mental health access, such as screening, workforce, training, and peer support, among others.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Report highlights gaps in maternal mental healthcare access and highlights promising practices aimed at closing those gaps in several states. Discusses factors that affect maternal mental health access, such as screening, workforce, training, and peer support, among others.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Cigarette Smoking Prevalence, Nicotine Dependence, and Quit Ratios among U.S. Adult Females by Residence and Military-Veteran Status: 2002–2023
Presents a study exploring cigarette smoking, nicotine dependence, and quite ratios among women by rural and veteran status from 2002 to 2023. Breaks down data by demographic data and compares rates of several smoking-related measures for rural and urban, and veteran and non-veteran women.
Author(s): Justin T. McDaniel, Ryan Redner, Sulamunn R.M. Coleman, et al.
Citation: Preventive Medicine, 201, 108417
Date: 12/2025
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Presents a study exploring cigarette smoking, nicotine dependence, and quite ratios among women by rural and veteran status from 2002 to 2023. Breaks down data by demographic data and compares rates of several smoking-related measures for rural and urban, and veteran and non-veteran women.
Author(s): Justin T. McDaniel, Ryan Redner, Sulamunn R.M. Coleman, et al.
Citation: Preventive Medicine, 201, 108417
Date: 12/2025
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2024 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
Provides a comprehensive summary and data analysis of healthcare quality and access in the U.S. Addresses access to healthcare, care affordability, healthy living, effective treatment, person-centered care, care coordination, and more.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Provides a comprehensive summary and data analysis of healthcare quality and access in the U.S. Addresses access to healthcare, care affordability, healthy living, effective treatment, person-centered care, care coordination, and more.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Beyond the Battlefield: Restoring Connection for Missouri's Rural Veterans
Assesses health disparities among Missouri's rural veterans and discusses the need for coordinated, statewide action to address veterans' health needs. Highlights topics related to mental health, chronic health conditions, geographic limitations on access to care, broadband infrastructure, and more.
Author(s): Derek Landes, Libby Trammell, Kaitlyn Onanian
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Missouri Rural Health Association
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Assesses health disparities among Missouri's rural veterans and discusses the need for coordinated, statewide action to address veterans' health needs. Highlights topics related to mental health, chronic health conditions, geographic limitations on access to care, broadband infrastructure, and more.
Author(s): Derek Landes, Libby Trammell, Kaitlyn Onanian
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Missouri Rural Health Association
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Geospatial Analysis of Breast Cancer Incidence, Mortality, and Access to Screening in Rural and Appalachian Virginia
Assesses differences in breast cancer rates and mortality between Appalachian and non-Appalachian counties, and rural and nonrural counties in Virginia. Also explores whether availability of mammography is associated with differences. Features county-level Virginia maps, and statistics with breakdowns by Virginia counties, rural counties, and nonrural counties.
Author(s): Jennifer Osher, Caleb Brown, Phillip Nichols, Tariq Ayubi, Jeremy Powers
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 7(4), 55-69
Date: 12/2025
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Assesses differences in breast cancer rates and mortality between Appalachian and non-Appalachian counties, and rural and nonrural counties in Virginia. Also explores whether availability of mammography is associated with differences. Features county-level Virginia maps, and statistics with breakdowns by Virginia counties, rural counties, and nonrural counties.
Author(s): Jennifer Osher, Caleb Brown, Phillip Nichols, Tariq Ayubi, Jeremy Powers
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 7(4), 55-69
Date: 12/2025
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Engagement and Retention in HIV Care in Rural Southern U.S. Using an All-Payer Claims Database
Analyzes HIV care engagement and retention among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Arkansas, utilizing 2013-2017 Arkansas All-Payer Claims Database data. Includes data and discussion of HIV access disparities in Arkansas by rurality, sex, and other demographic variables.
Author(s): Jun Tao, Mofan Gu, S. Alexandra Marshall, et al.
Citation: PLOS ONE, 20(12), e0339520
Date: 12/2025
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Analyzes HIV care engagement and retention among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Arkansas, utilizing 2013-2017 Arkansas All-Payer Claims Database data. Includes data and discussion of HIV access disparities in Arkansas by rurality, sex, and other demographic variables.
Author(s): Jun Tao, Mofan Gu, S. Alexandra Marshall, et al.
Citation: PLOS ONE, 20(12), e0339520
Date: 12/2025
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Community Resilience and Stroke Outcomes in Older Adults: Beyond Rural-Urban Classifications
Examines the impact of community resilience and stroke burden across rural and urban U.S. counties. Utilizes data from Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 65 or older as well as the Baseline Resilience Indicators for Communities (BRIC) index to examine county-level social determinants of health that measure resilience. Provides rural versus urban breakdowns of stroke burden and BRIC resilience metrics.
Author(s): Ruaa Al Juboori, Emily Welker, Marie Barnard, Keith Anderson
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 13
Date: 12/2025
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Examines the impact of community resilience and stroke burden across rural and urban U.S. counties. Utilizes data from Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 65 or older as well as the Baseline Resilience Indicators for Communities (BRIC) index to examine county-level social determinants of health that measure resilience. Provides rural versus urban breakdowns of stroke burden and BRIC resilience metrics.
Author(s): Ruaa Al Juboori, Emily Welker, Marie Barnard, Keith Anderson
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 13
Date: 12/2025
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Maternal Chronic Disease Prevention in Rural America: A Life Course Perspective
Examines maternal chronic disease management in rural areas of the United States. Discusses social determinants of health and maternal health disparities specific to rural areas. Provides policy, public health surveillance, and community engagement approaches to address the rural maternal health crisis.
Author(s): Kobi V Ajayi, Emesomhi Eboreime, Alva Ferdinand, Ninfa Purcell, Robin Page
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health
Date: 12/2025
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Examines maternal chronic disease management in rural areas of the United States. Discusses social determinants of health and maternal health disparities specific to rural areas. Provides policy, public health surveillance, and community engagement approaches to address the rural maternal health crisis.
Author(s): Kobi V Ajayi, Emesomhi Eboreime, Alva Ferdinand, Ninfa Purcell, Robin Page
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health
Date: 12/2025
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