Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services
As Alpha-gal Syndrome Spreads, Rural Providers Are on the 'Front Line'
Provides an overview of alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), a tick-borne allergy to mammalian products. Describes the spread of AGS and the importance of raising awareness of AGS among rural primary care providers.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Provides an overview of alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), a tick-borne allergy to mammalian products. Describes the spread of AGS and the importance of raising awareness of AGS among rural primary care providers.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Arkansas Older Adult Basic Screening Survey Report 2026: A Look into the Oral Health of High Risk Older Adults in Arkansas
Reports on the oral health of adults aged 60 and older in Arkansas using 2026 Arkansas Older Adult Basic Screening Survey data. See pages 7-8 for county-level data and metro-nonmetro comparisons.
Author(s): Sheree Huntsman, Brooke Mehner, Rachel Sizemore
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Arkansas Department of Health
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Reports on the oral health of adults aged 60 and older in Arkansas using 2026 Arkansas Older Adult Basic Screening Survey data. See pages 7-8 for county-level data and metro-nonmetro comparisons.
Author(s): Sheree Huntsman, Brooke Mehner, Rachel Sizemore
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Arkansas Department of Health
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Improving Access to Medicare Home Health Care: Key Policy Considerations
Highlights themes from interviews with 20 policy experts on home health agencies to identify factors contributing to declines in use of Medicare home health services. Discusses payment models, Medicare Advantage, workforce shortages, and family caregivers. Offers policy measures that may increase home health utilization.
Author(s): Barbara Lyons, Jane Andrews
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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Highlights themes from interviews with 20 policy experts on home health agencies to identify factors contributing to declines in use of Medicare home health services. Discusses payment models, Medicare Advantage, workforce shortages, and family caregivers. Offers policy measures that may increase home health utilization.
Author(s): Barbara Lyons, Jane Andrews
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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Geographic Variation in Blood Transfusion among TRICARE Beneficiaries
Explores the geographic variations in blood distribution and transfusion practices using the U.S. Military Health System's TRICARE insurance database. Breaks down data by age, sex, and whether beneficiaries received care in rural or urban areas, among other measures.
Author(s): Avery A. Thompson, Mahima Jain, Tanujit Dey, et al.
Citation: Transfusion, 66(7), 1326-1335
Date: 07/2026
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Explores the geographic variations in blood distribution and transfusion practices using the U.S. Military Health System's TRICARE insurance database. Breaks down data by age, sex, and whether beneficiaries received care in rural or urban areas, among other measures.
Author(s): Avery A. Thompson, Mahima Jain, Tanujit Dey, et al.
Citation: Transfusion, 66(7), 1326-1335
Date: 07/2026
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The Role of Rurality and Area-Level Disadvantage in Lifestyle Risk Factors and Psychological Well-Being among Cancer Survivors: Findings from the 2021 NCI HINTS-SEER
Examines how rurality and area-level disadvantage are associated with obesity, smoking, and depression or anxiety among cancer survivors, using 2021 HINTS-SEER data. Compares the roles of area-level and individual factors in influencing cancer survivorship outcomes in rural and urban areas.
Author(s): Anita M. Kumar, Carrie A. Miller, Reyna Han, et al.
Citation: Cancer Causes & Control, 37, 125
Date: 07/2026
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Examines how rurality and area-level disadvantage are associated with obesity, smoking, and depression or anxiety among cancer survivors, using 2021 HINTS-SEER data. Compares the roles of area-level and individual factors in influencing cancer survivorship outcomes in rural and urban areas.
Author(s): Anita M. Kumar, Carrie A. Miller, Reyna Han, et al.
Citation: Cancer Causes & Control, 37, 125
Date: 07/2026
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Mapping Social Vulnerability and Proximity to Pharmacies in Minnesota, 2009–2024
Analyzes the relationship between pharmacy deserts and social vulnerability across Minnesota. Utilizes Minnesota Board of Pharmacy and geocoded data to examine the relationship among social vulnerability, access to pharmacy, and urban, metro, or nonmetro location. Includes census-tract level Minnesota map showing social vulnerability and access to pharmacies.
Author(s): Emma Goldner, Emily Styles, Lindsay Sorge, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23
Date: 07/2026
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Analyzes the relationship between pharmacy deserts and social vulnerability across Minnesota. Utilizes Minnesota Board of Pharmacy and geocoded data to examine the relationship among social vulnerability, access to pharmacy, and urban, metro, or nonmetro location. Includes census-tract level Minnesota map showing social vulnerability and access to pharmacies.
Author(s): Emma Goldner, Emily Styles, Lindsay Sorge, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23
Date: 07/2026
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Economic Cynicism, COVID-19 and Deaths of Despair in Rural Ohio Counties
Explores the relationship between economic cynicism, COVID-19, and deaths of despair (DoDs) in rural counties in Ohio. Highlights rates of social connection, economic disadvantage and cynicism, and how they correlate with DoDs, among other measures.
Author(s): Christopher R. Browning, Bethany Boettner, Catherine A. Calder, Elisabeth Root
Citation: Sociology of Health & Illness, 48(6), e70227
Date: 07/2026
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Explores the relationship between economic cynicism, COVID-19, and deaths of despair (DoDs) in rural counties in Ohio. Highlights rates of social connection, economic disadvantage and cynicism, and how they correlate with DoDs, among other measures.
Author(s): Christopher R. Browning, Bethany Boettner, Catherine A. Calder, Elisabeth Root
Citation: Sociology of Health & Illness, 48(6), e70227
Date: 07/2026
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Voices From the Field: Informing Maternal Child Health Navigator Training Through Rural Practice Insights
Presents a study on Maternal-Child Health (MCH) Navigators on their perception of their preparedness for providing trauma-informed care, substance use support, and addressing drivers of health in rural Texas communities. Explores MCH Navigators' assessment of the efficacy of their training and real-world experience to prepare them for the maternal health challenges in rural communities.
Author(s): Sharon L. Dormire, Cassidy S. Doucet, Nydia Garcia, Robin Page
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 17
Date: 07/2026
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Presents a study on Maternal-Child Health (MCH) Navigators on their perception of their preparedness for providing trauma-informed care, substance use support, and addressing drivers of health in rural Texas communities. Explores MCH Navigators' assessment of the efficacy of their training and real-world experience to prepare them for the maternal health challenges in rural communities.
Author(s): Sharon L. Dormire, Cassidy S. Doucet, Nydia Garcia, Robin Page
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 17
Date: 07/2026
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Virtual Roads to Real Recovery, with Amanda Kennedy
An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring Amanda Kennedy, manager of the Mercy Virtual Substance Use Recovery Program. Focuses on strategies the program uses to build trust and provide patients a seamless bridge into substance use treatment. Part 2 in a 3-part series featuring the 2026 Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Innovation Tank finalists, with Mercy vSURP's work winning third place.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring Amanda Kennedy, manager of the Mercy Virtual Substance Use Recovery Program. Focuses on strategies the program uses to build trust and provide patients a seamless bridge into substance use treatment. Part 2 in a 3-part series featuring the 2026 Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Innovation Tank finalists, with Mercy vSURP's work winning third place.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Demographic Characteristics of Medicaid Beneficiaries Enrolled in the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
Describes the demographic characteristics and long-term nursing facility use of Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) enrollees in 2023, including rural residence. Compares data by PACE enrollees who are full-benefit dually eligible beneficiaries and those who are Medicaid-only enrollees.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Describes the demographic characteristics and long-term nursing facility use of Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) enrollees in 2023, including rural residence. Compares data by PACE enrollees who are full-benefit dually eligible beneficiaries and those who are Medicaid-only enrollees.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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