Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services
Small but Essential: Understanding Rural Public Health Workforce Challenges and Strengths From the 2024 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey
Examines characteristics of the rural public health workforce. Utilizes 2024 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) data to analyze the rural versus urban local health department (LHD) workforce with breakdowns according to demographics, education, employment tenure and type, and intentions to stay.
Author(s): Casey P. Balio, Stephanie M. Mathis, Michael B. Meit, Betty Bekemeier
Citation: Journal of Public Health Management & Practice, 32(1S), S60-S67
Date: 01/2026
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Examines characteristics of the rural public health workforce. Utilizes 2024 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) data to analyze the rural versus urban local health department (LHD) workforce with breakdowns according to demographics, education, employment tenure and type, and intentions to stay.
Author(s): Casey P. Balio, Stephanie M. Mathis, Michael B. Meit, Betty Bekemeier
Citation: Journal of Public Health Management & Practice, 32(1S), S60-S67
Date: 01/2026
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Predictors of Inpatient RN Turnover in Rural and Urban VHA Hospitals
A study on the rates and associated factors of registered nursing (RN) workforce turnover in rural and urban Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals. Breaks down data by RN demographic factors, such as age, salary, and experience within the VHA, and hospital factors, such as average age, average base salary, and average number of units worked, among other factors.
Author(s): Katherine G. Bay, Chase S. Eck, Melissa K. Knox, et al.
Citation: Medical Care, 64(1S), S9-S17
Date: 01/2026
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A study on the rates and associated factors of registered nursing (RN) workforce turnover in rural and urban Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals. Breaks down data by RN demographic factors, such as age, salary, and experience within the VHA, and hospital factors, such as average age, average base salary, and average number of units worked, among other factors.
Author(s): Katherine G. Bay, Chase S. Eck, Melissa K. Knox, et al.
Citation: Medical Care, 64(1S), S9-S17
Date: 01/2026
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Learning Modalities During COVID-19 and Adolescent Mental Health in North Carolina
Examines virtual, hybrid, and in-person learning modalities and their impact on adolescent mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyzes mental health emergency department (ED) visits in North Carolina alongside county-level information on learning modalities used over time. Provides rural versus urban data on impacts of learning modality on mental health.
Author(s): Justin Cole Gilbert, Martie P. Thompson, Sophia Ryan, Manan Roy
Citation: Journal of School Health, 96(1), e70093
Date: 01/2026
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Examines virtual, hybrid, and in-person learning modalities and their impact on adolescent mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyzes mental health emergency department (ED) visits in North Carolina alongside county-level information on learning modalities used over time. Provides rural versus urban data on impacts of learning modality on mental health.
Author(s): Justin Cole Gilbert, Martie P. Thompson, Sophia Ryan, Manan Roy
Citation: Journal of School Health, 96(1), e70093
Date: 01/2026
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North Dakota Qualified Service Provider Hub Survey Report
Report features findings of a survey of qualified service providers (QSPs) in the state of North Dakota. Discusses findings from individual QSPs and agency QSPs and details information about clients served, services provided, and pay and benefits, including the rural differential rate, among other topics.
Author(s): Karen Bernhardt
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: North Dakota Qualified Service Provider Hub
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Report features findings of a survey of qualified service providers (QSPs) in the state of North Dakota. Discusses findings from individual QSPs and agency QSPs and details information about clients served, services provided, and pay and benefits, including the rural differential rate, among other topics.
Author(s): Karen Bernhardt
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: North Dakota Qualified Service Provider Hub
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Skilled Nursing Facilities - Dually Certified in Rural Areas
Printable map that shows the location of Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) and nursing facilities that are dually certified located in rural areas (outside U.S. Census Bureau Urban Areas with a population of 50,000 or more). Data source: data.HRSA.gov, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Additional links: Dually Certified Rural SNF Table
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Printable map that shows the location of Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) and nursing facilities that are dually certified located in rural areas (outside U.S. Census Bureau Urban Areas with a population of 50,000 or more). Data source: data.HRSA.gov, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Additional links: Dually Certified Rural SNF Table
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies (RMOMS) Program: 2021 Cohort Final Report
Highlights the work of the second cohort of Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies (Rural MOMS) networks, funded to address rural maternal health challenges and improve access to maternal healthcare. Provides an overview of the work of the awardees: Families First: Rural Maternity Health Collaborative in Minnesota, RMOM-Southeast Missouri Partnership, and West Virginia Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies Collaborative. Shares information about the populations served, as well as discussing key network coordination strategies used by the 2021 cohort and the 2019 cohort.
Additional links: Full Report (PDF)
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Maternal Health Data Support and Analysis Program
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Highlights the work of the second cohort of Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies (Rural MOMS) networks, funded to address rural maternal health challenges and improve access to maternal healthcare. Provides an overview of the work of the awardees: Families First: Rural Maternity Health Collaborative in Minnesota, RMOM-Southeast Missouri Partnership, and West Virginia Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies Collaborative. Shares information about the populations served, as well as discussing key network coordination strategies used by the 2021 cohort and the 2019 cohort.
Additional links: Full Report (PDF)
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Maternal Health Data Support and Analysis Program
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Public Health: Rural Health Services Research—2nd Edition
Special issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health featuring articles on effective rural health interventions on topics including aging, chronic disease management, and peer supports for cancer patients, with most articles focused on the United States and Australia.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Date: 2026
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Special issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health featuring articles on effective rural health interventions on topics including aging, chronic disease management, and peer supports for cancer patients, with most articles focused on the United States and Australia.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Date: 2026
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Grief in Native Communities
Report details the findings of a summit on grief in tribal communities from June, 2025. Discusses community-based grief practices, traditional cultural practices, and how postvention approaches can be adopted by elders and spiritual leaders as a protective measure.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Suicide Prevention Resource Center
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Report details the findings of a summit on grief in tribal communities from June, 2025. Discusses community-based grief practices, traditional cultural practices, and how postvention approaches can be adopted by elders and spiritual leaders as a protective measure.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Suicide Prevention Resource Center
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Maternal Health Access and Workforce Capacity in Rural Hawaii: Focus Group Findings Report
Discusses how maternal and infant health access and workforce availability vary across Hawaii's islands via focus group discussion of healthcare providers and other interested parties. Highlights barriers related to affordability, travel, workforce pathways, and more.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organizations: Hawaii State Office of Primary Care and Rural Health, Hawaii State Rural Health Association
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Discusses how maternal and infant health access and workforce availability vary across Hawaii's islands via focus group discussion of healthcare providers and other interested parties. Highlights barriers related to affordability, travel, workforce pathways, and more.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organizations: Hawaii State Office of Primary Care and Rural Health, Hawaii State Rural Health Association
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America's Health Rankings Senior Report 2026
Presents 56 measures of health and well-being from 25 data sources, to provide a picture of older adult health across the country, with comparisons by metro and nonmetro areas. Features insights on factors that shape the health of older adults in rural areas, and includes a state-level map with shadings showing ranges of rural population age 65 and older as of 2024.
Additional links: Executive Brief, Risk of Isolation County-Level Maps, State Summaries
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
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Presents 56 measures of health and well-being from 25 data sources, to provide a picture of older adult health across the country, with comparisons by metro and nonmetro areas. Features insights on factors that shape the health of older adults in rural areas, and includes a state-level map with shadings showing ranges of rural population age 65 and older as of 2024.
Additional links: Executive Brief, Risk of Isolation County-Level Maps, State Summaries
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
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