Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services
How Do Services Offered Within Opioid Treatment Programs Vary Based on State Methadone Policies?
Examines the availability of opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in various states as well as access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) options, psychosocial services, and housing supports. Analyzes 1,501 opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and their characteristics, including state restrictiveness, services offered, facility type, rurality, and more.
Author(s): Zoe Lindenfeld, Noa Krawczyk, Erin A. Taylor, Denis Agniel, Jonathan H. Cantor
Citation: Journal of Substance Use & Addiction Treatment, 190, 210062
Date: 11/2026
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Examines the availability of opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in various states as well as access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) options, psychosocial services, and housing supports. Analyzes 1,501 opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and their characteristics, including state restrictiveness, services offered, facility type, rurality, and more.
Author(s): Zoe Lindenfeld, Noa Krawczyk, Erin A. Taylor, Denis Agniel, Jonathan H. Cantor
Citation: Journal of Substance Use & Addiction Treatment, 190, 210062
Date: 11/2026
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Can Schools Detect Mild Hearing Loss? Evaluating Screening Accuracy and Feasibility
Examines the feasibility of accurate screening for mild hearing loss in rural Alaska. Analyzes results of screening 318 children with two pure-tone hearing screening levels and discusses the importance of accurate and reliable screening methods in rural schools.
Author(s): Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Jasmine Stewart, Christina Reaves, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 207, 112849
Date: 08/2026
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Examines the feasibility of accurate screening for mild hearing loss in rural Alaska. Analyzes results of screening 318 children with two pure-tone hearing screening levels and discusses the importance of accurate and reliable screening methods in rural schools.
Author(s): Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Jasmine Stewart, Christina Reaves, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 207, 112849
Date: 08/2026
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Unequal Paths to Care: How Region, Rurality, and Deprivation Determine Transport to Verified Trauma Centers among the Critically Injured
Examines the relationship among rurality, area deprivation index (ADI), and trauma center transport of critically injured patients. Utilizes 2018-2022 National Emergency Medical Services Information System data from 36,897,269 critically injured patients and analyzes rural versus urban transport to a trauma center, region of the country, and ADI.
Author(s): Amani Sampson, Edward Helderop, Tokoya Williams, et al.
Citation: Surgery, 196, 110232
Date: 08/2026
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Examines the relationship among rurality, area deprivation index (ADI), and trauma center transport of critically injured patients. Utilizes 2018-2022 National Emergency Medical Services Information System data from 36,897,269 critically injured patients and analyzes rural versus urban transport to a trauma center, region of the country, and ADI.
Author(s): Amani Sampson, Edward Helderop, Tokoya Williams, et al.
Citation: Surgery, 196, 110232
Date: 08/2026
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Veteran Satisfaction With Lung Cancer Screening Care: A Cross-Sectional Evaluation
Examines how satisfaction with lung cancer screening varied among rural and nonrural veterans receiving care at Veterans Affairs Medical Centers between 2018 and 2021, using survey data of 689 veterans. Includes data on how other demographic and clinical factors, including smoking status, influence satisfaction with care.
Author(s): Jennifer A. Lewis, Amber J. Hackstadt, Kathryn D. Snyder, et al.
Citation: Medical Care
Date: 07/2026
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Examines how satisfaction with lung cancer screening varied among rural and nonrural veterans receiving care at Veterans Affairs Medical Centers between 2018 and 2021, using survey data of 689 veterans. Includes data on how other demographic and clinical factors, including smoking status, influence satisfaction with care.
Author(s): Jennifer A. Lewis, Amber J. Hackstadt, Kathryn D. Snyder, et al.
Citation: Medical Care
Date: 07/2026
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MedPAC Data Book: Health Care Spending and the Medicare Program, 2026
Provides an overview of Medicare spending and highlights data on Medicare beneficiary demographics, dual-eligible beneficiaries, quality of care provided through the Medicare program, and other payer liability. Examines settings of care, including rural-specific provider sites, as they relate to spending, access to care, and Medicare and operating margins. Compares rural and urban beneficiaries and providers throughout. Chart 6-2 addresses rural hospital closures and Rural Emergency Hospital conversions.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Provides an overview of Medicare spending and highlights data on Medicare beneficiary demographics, dual-eligible beneficiaries, quality of care provided through the Medicare program, and other payer liability. Examines settings of care, including rural-specific provider sites, as they relate to spending, access to care, and Medicare and operating margins. Compares rural and urban beneficiaries and providers throughout. Chart 6-2 addresses rural hospital closures and Rural Emergency Hospital conversions.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Train Rural, Work Rural: The Potential for Advanced Fellowships in Addressing Rural VA Healthcare Workforce Shortages
Explores the potential of professional training programs to increase recruitment and retention of the healthcare workforce in rural Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities. Bases findings on a survey of current VHA fellowships on whether they would be applicable to rural areas. Breaks down data by fellowship program, rurality of program site, and demographics of participating fellows.
Author(s): Kathleen L. Carluzzo, Linda M. Kinney, Bradley V. Watts, Karen E. Schifferdecker
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70188
Date: 07/2026
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Explores the potential of professional training programs to increase recruitment and retention of the healthcare workforce in rural Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities. Bases findings on a survey of current VHA fellowships on whether they would be applicable to rural areas. Breaks down data by fellowship program, rurality of program site, and demographics of participating fellows.
Author(s): Kathleen L. Carluzzo, Linda M. Kinney, Bradley V. Watts, Karen E. Schifferdecker
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70188
Date: 07/2026
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When Policy Exists but Practice Fails: Rethinking Cognitive Screening as a Public Health Delivery Problem
An essay that discusses gaps in early dementia detection and the related impact of public health delivery constraints in rural communities. Examines policy efforts and state-level examples to improve dementia care.
Author(s): Brian Kim
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23
Date: 07/2026
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An essay that discusses gaps in early dementia detection and the related impact of public health delivery constraints in rural communities. Examines policy efforts and state-level examples to improve dementia care.
Author(s): Brian Kim
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23
Date: 07/2026
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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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