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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services

Factors Associated with Early Sexual Onset and Delaying Sex in Rural Middle School Youth
Examines results from a survey administered prior to a sexual health program aimed at rural middle school youth. Analyzes data from 6,799 students and the variables related to abstinence, sexual health knowledge, parental communication, intentions to abstain from sexual activity, and more. Discusses impacts of access to comprehensive and trauma-informed sex education.
Author(s): Teresa M. Imburgia, Devon J. Hensel, Abby Hunt, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 2025
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Drive Time to Care and Retention in HIV Care: Rural–Urban Differences Among Medicaid Enrollees in the United States South
Presents a study on the role geography plays in HIV care retention and maintenance. Draws data from Medicaid enrollees in 13 southern states including the District of Columbia and compares patient drive times to care in rural and urban areas. Breaks down data by county social determinants of health, healthcare supply, and HIV prevalence, as well as patient characteristics.
Author(s): April D. Kimmel, Rose S. Bono, Zhongzhe Pan, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1), e12877
Date: 2025
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Home Health Utilization in the Veterans Health Administration: Are there Rural and Urban Differences?
Examines home health usage and access among veterans in rural and urban areas. Utilizes 2019-2021 Veterans Health Administration (VA) data to analyze rural versus urban home health use, with data broken down by patient sociodemographic variables as well as number of visits.
Author(s): Heather Davila, Bradely Mayfield, Michelle A. Mengeling, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1), e12865
Date: 2025
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Trends in and Factors Associated with Family Physician-Performed Screening Colonoscopies in the United States: 2016-2021
Examines factors and trends related to family physician (FP)-performed colonoscopy screenings. Analyzes 2016-2021 insurance claims data from 2,943,900 qualified colonoscopies, with data breakdowns according to patient demographics, accrued charges, region, and urban-rural classification, including large central metro, large fringe metro, medium metro, small metro, micropolitan, and noncore. Discusses the impact of FP-performed colonoscopy screenings for certain populations, including rural.
Author(s): Nicholas Edwardson, David van der Goes, V. Shane Pankratz, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1)
Date: 2025
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Provider-to-Provider Telemedicine for Sepsis Is Used Less Frequently in Communities with High Social Vulnerability
Examines the relationship between provider-to-provider emergency department-based telehealth consultation (tele-ED) and the prevalence of sepsis in counties with elevated social vulnerability index (SVI) scores. Analyzes 2016-2019 data from 1191 patients treated in rural, Midwestern EDs, with breakdowns according to patient, provider, hospital, and county characteristics. Discusses the relationship between SVI scores and tele-ED use.
Author(s): Kevin J. Tu, J. Priyanka Vakkalanka, Uche E. Okoro, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1), e12861
Date: 2025
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Roadmap to Strong Rural Health Care
Provides information on sustaining rural hospitals and clinics, growing the rural healthcare workforce in Nebraska, improving long-term care, improving rural well-being and mental health, supporting rural mothers, addressing the social determinants of health, and preserving emergency medical services, among other topics related to rural healthcare in Nebraska.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organizations: Nebraska Hospital Association, Nebraska Rural Health Association
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Rural Peer Recovery Support Services Program Development and Implementation Considerations
Presents an article discussing the role peer recovery support services (PRSS) play in engaging rural adults in mental health and substance use disorder treatment. Highlights state-level PRSS requirements and explores the impact of PRSS on stigma and access.
Author(s): Rachel Blanton
Citation: Premier Journal of Psychology, 1, 100001
Date: 12/2024
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Primary Care Legislative Report to the Thirty-Third Legislature: State of Hawaii 2025
Annual legislative report covering Hawaii State Department of Health program activities and partnerships with Primary Health Care Partners (PHCP). Details initiatives focused on healthcare workforce shortages, workforce training and retention, shortage area designations, telehealth, and more.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: Hawaii State Department of Health
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Fiscal Year 2024: Illinois Suicide Prevention Report
Provides information on the Illinois suicide prevention strategy. Focuses on data, COVID-19 impacts, and the history, purpose, and activities of the Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance. Includes data on suicide mortality by urbanicity, age, and county.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance
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Rural Independent Pharmacies Sustainability Strategy
Policy brief discussing unique challenges that threaten the stability of rural independent pharmacies. Offers policy recommendations to support rural independent pharmacies.
Author(s): Sagar Dugani, Vistrit Choudhary, Brian G. Williams
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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