Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services
Nicotine and Tobacco Product Use among US Youth in 10th and 12th Grade, 2023–2025: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study
Examines trends in youth nicotine, tobacco, and multi-product co-use. Utilizes 2023-2025 survey data from 10th and 12th graders and analyzes lifetime use and past 30-day use of various nicotine and tobacco products according to grade, demographics, parent education, and school location of urban, suburban/town, or rural.
Author(s): Dayoung Bae, Junhan Cho, Alyssa F. Harlow, et al.
Citation: The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, 65, 101673
Date: 01/2027
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Examines trends in youth nicotine, tobacco, and multi-product co-use. Utilizes 2023-2025 survey data from 10th and 12th graders and analyzes lifetime use and past 30-day use of various nicotine and tobacco products according to grade, demographics, parent education, and school location of urban, suburban/town, or rural.
Author(s): Dayoung Bae, Junhan Cho, Alyssa F. Harlow, et al.
Citation: The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, 65, 101673
Date: 01/2027
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A Rural-Urban Comparison of Children's Health in the United States, 2018-2023
Examines rural-urban differences in children's health insurance, neighborhood safety, household poverty, food insecurity, household conditions, physical activity, preventive care, dental and vision care, past-year emergency room visits, and mortality among children ages 0-17. Includes county-level maps showing Health Professional Shortage Areas as of 2026, with shadings showing levels of rurality.
Author(s): Emma Boswell, Taryn Farrell, Nicholas Yell, Peiyin Hung, Elizabeth Crouch
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
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Examines rural-urban differences in children's health insurance, neighborhood safety, household poverty, food insecurity, household conditions, physical activity, preventive care, dental and vision care, past-year emergency room visits, and mortality among children ages 0-17. Includes county-level maps showing Health Professional Shortage Areas as of 2026, with shadings showing levels of rurality.
Author(s): Emma Boswell, Taryn Farrell, Nicholas Yell, Peiyin Hung, Elizabeth Crouch
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
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Notes from the Field: Dengue Outbreak — American Samoa, 2025–2026
Reports on an outbreak of dengue fever in American Samoa. Includes information about patient characteristics, geographic spread and timing of the outbreak, and impact of having on-island confirmatory testing for the first time, facilitating timely identification and guiding outbreak response.
Author(s): Emily Trautner, Adam Konrote, Romson Nuake, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 75(44), 652-654
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Reports on an outbreak of dengue fever in American Samoa. Includes information about patient characteristics, geographic spread and timing of the outbreak, and impact of having on-island confirmatory testing for the first time, facilitating timely identification and guiding outbreak response.
Author(s): Emily Trautner, Adam Konrote, Romson Nuake, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 75(44), 652-654
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Use of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Medications and Modified Medication Use Among Adults — United States, 2025
Reports on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) use among adults, including use of compounded versions for chronic weight management. Also covers modified use due to cost- and access-related challenges. Includes data on GLP-1 use by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan location.
Author(s): Samantha L. Pierce, Lilanthi Balasuriya, Lyudmyla Kompaniyets, Alyson B. Goodman
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 75(44), 645-651
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Reports on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) use among adults, including use of compounded versions for chronic weight management. Also covers modified use due to cost- and access-related challenges. Includes data on GLP-1 use by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan location.
Author(s): Samantha L. Pierce, Lilanthi Balasuriya, Lyudmyla Kompaniyets, Alyson B. Goodman
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 75(44), 645-651
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Keeping Care Close to Home: Rural Maternal Health Case Study - A Comprehensive System of Maternal Care in Mississippi
Profiles the Delta Health System in the rural Mississippi Delta and its role in providing healthcare access. Discusses maternal healthcare workforce challenges and strategies to improve the workforce through collaboration and doula care.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Profiles the Delta Health System in the rural Mississippi Delta and its role in providing healthcare access. Discusses maternal healthcare workforce challenges and strategies to improve the workforce through collaboration and doula care.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Keeping Care Close to Home: Rural Maternal Health Case Study - Caring for Families Across the Arctic
Profiles the Maniilaq Health Center, a Critical Access Hospital that serves rural and tribal communities in Northwest Alaska. Discusses building the maternal health workforce, care coordination, referral processes, sustainability, and more.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Profiles the Maniilaq Health Center, a Critical Access Hospital that serves rural and tribal communities in Northwest Alaska. Discusses building the maternal health workforce, care coordination, referral processes, sustainability, and more.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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The State of Mental Health in America 2026
Report presents data on mental health and substance use for youth and adults across all 50 states. Highlights barriers to mental health wellness, such as lack of mental healthcare coverage, mental health workforce shortages, and cost of treatment, among other factors. Discusses some challenges specific to rural communities.
Author(s): Maddy Reinert
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Mental Health America
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Report presents data on mental health and substance use for youth and adults across all 50 states. Highlights barriers to mental health wellness, such as lack of mental healthcare coverage, mental health workforce shortages, and cost of treatment, among other factors. Discusses some challenges specific to rural communities.
Author(s): Maddy Reinert
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Mental Health America
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November 2026 MedPAC Meeting Transcript
Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) November 2026 meeting. Covers changes to the Medicare physician fee schedule that affect primary care, charge-based coinsurance at Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), an analysis of aberrant patterns of care among hospice and home health providers, findings from MedPAC focus groups, and Medicare eligibility notification and the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) operations and funding.
Additional links: Charge-based Coinsurance at Rural Health Clinics, Findings from MedPAC's Focus Groups with Medicare Beneficiaries and Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, and Pharmacists
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) November 2026 meeting. Covers changes to the Medicare physician fee schedule that affect primary care, charge-based coinsurance at Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), an analysis of aberrant patterns of care among hospice and home health providers, findings from MedPAC focus groups, and Medicare eligibility notification and the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) operations and funding.
Additional links: Charge-based Coinsurance at Rural Health Clinics, Findings from MedPAC's Focus Groups with Medicare Beneficiaries and Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, and Pharmacists
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Washington's RHT Funds Are 100% Obligated
Provides an overview of the recipients of Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding for budget period 1 in Washington. Lists organizations by RHTP initiative.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Washington State Health Care Authority
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Provides an overview of the recipients of Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding for budget period 1 in Washington. Lists organizations by RHTP initiative.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Washington State Health Care Authority
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Molecular Testing Among Patients With Advanced Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer in the Rural US
Explores factors associated with molecular testing among older adults with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), such as age, dual Medicaid and Medicare enrollment, Part D coverage, and visits with specialists. Analyzes data from a cohort of 8,259 NSCLC patients in rural areas between 2014-2019.
Author(s): Dena P. Rhinehart, Evelien van Gelderen, Josephine Feliciano, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(11), e2642270
Date: 11/2026
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Explores factors associated with molecular testing among older adults with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), such as age, dual Medicaid and Medicare enrollment, Part D coverage, and visits with specialists. Analyzes data from a cohort of 8,259 NSCLC patients in rural areas between 2014-2019.
Author(s): Dena P. Rhinehart, Evelien van Gelderen, Josephine Feliciano, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(11), e2642270
Date: 11/2026
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