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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health literacy

Health Care Access from the Rural Perspective: A Narrative Review
Examines rural healthcare access in the dimensions of geographic, temporal, financial, cultural, and virtual. Discusses rural versus urban access challenges and access disparities related to geographic distance and available transportation, broadband internet access and digital literacy, healthcare workforce shortages, and the social determinants of health.
Author(s): Peter Kaboli, Adam Blaine, Jasmine Mares, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(1), e70119
Date: 02/2026
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Examining Rural Community Pharmacists' Knowledge and Practices in Opioid Overdose Prevention and Treatment Services in the Southeastern United States
Highlights a study on the knowledge and practices of rural pharmacists around opioid use disorder-related education and counseling in the Southeastern U.S. Presents data by pharmacist demographic characteristics, knowledge, and experience with medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD).
Author(s): Stefanie P. Ferreri, Paige Q. Ngo, Kaileigh D. Yen, Kevin Wang, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 23(11)
Date: 01/2026
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An Exploration of Access to Tobacco Cessation Services Through Pharmacies in a Medically Underserved Area in California: Accuracy of Telephone Information Regarding Pharmacist-Furnished NRT
Examines the reliability of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) phone consultations with pharmacy staff in rural, underresourced areas of California's San Joaquin Valley (SJV). Discusses discrepancies in NRT information when comparing in-person NRT visits and telephone services.
Author(s): Sara Schneider, Deanna M. Halliday, Arturo Durazo, Anna V. Song, Dorie E. Apollonio
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 16
Date: 12/2025
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Examining the Relationship Between Health Literacy and the Primary Source of Information for Healthcare Services among Rural Residents
Analyzes relationships between health literacy and use of the internet, community newsletters, television, text-based communication, and other methods as a primary source for healthcare services information among 464 survey respondents living in Oklahoma's rural Tillman and Harmon counties. Discusses how health communication strategies can be tailored by information source for different rural groups to improve healthcare information sharing and access to services.
Author(s): Xuewei Chen, Tao Hu, Rose W. Njoroge, Ming Li, Gary Kreps
Citation: Health Behavior Research, 8(4)
Date: 10/2025
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Weight Status Underestimation and Weight Management Goals among Adults in the Rural South of the United States
Analyzes weight status, underestimation, and management goals among residents in rural South Carolina. Analyzes survey data among 185 respondents according to accuracy of weight reporting, weight loss/management goals, and related demographic factors. Discusses accuracy of weight perceptions among residents and the impact on weight management in the rural South.
Author(s): Haakim A. Waraich, Michael D. Wirth, Serge Wandji, Janessa M. Graves, Demetrius A. Abshire
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 10/2025
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Dissemination of Heat Safety Practices among Florida Farmworker Crews
Explores the efficacy of heat related illness safety training for farmworkers working on harvesting crews in Florida. Breaks down participants post-intervention rates of hydration knowledge, risk perception, and buy-in, among other measures.
Author(s): Miranda Carver Martin, Linda Forst, Michael Siciliano, et al.
Citation: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 67(8), e518-e524
Date: 08/2025
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Leveraging Pharmacy Education through a Train-the-Trainer Model to Enhance Breast Cancer Literacy in Rural Communities
Evaluates changes in participant confidence in a train-the-trainer program focusing on rural patient education on breast cancer among 46 PharmD students in South Carolina.
Author(s): Christopher L. Farrell, Melanie R. Ginzburg, Morgan B. Enlow, et al.
Citation: Journal of Cancer Education, 2025
Date: 08/2025
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Health-Related Internet Use among Adults In The Midwest, Metro and Nonmetro Geographies
Examines trends in health-related internet use in Midwestern adults. Utilizes data from 1,220 adult survey respondents and provides metro versus nonmetro data breakdowns on drive to seek online health information, internet searching literacy, device use, utilization of health-related social media and videos, and more. Discusses differences in rural and urban populations' abilities to utilize the internet for health needs.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
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COVID-19 Risk Stratification among Older Adults: A Machine Learning Approach to Identify Personal and Health-Related Risk Factors
Examines risk perceptions and health behaviors related to COVID-19 to create a predictive model to classify individuals into risk categories. Analyzes individual features such as demographic variables, health conditions, adherence to public health guidelines, health literacy, and urbanicity.
Author(s): Arezoo Abasi, Seyed Abbas Motevalian, Haleh Ayatollahi
Citation: BMC Public Health 25, 2577
Date: 07/2025
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Fluoride Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors: Adults in Rural Alabama
Highlights a study on rural adults knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding fluoride use in water and toothpaste as method of cavity prevention. Bases findings on a survey of 291 adults in Green Hill, Alabama.
Author(s): Alex Harper, Steven M. Levy, Wei Shi
Citation: Journal of Primary Care and Community Health, 16
Date: 06/2025
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