Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services
Birth Defects Surveillance: New Mexico 2015-2024
Reports on demographic differences and trends in birth defects among children born in New Mexico using 2015-20204 New Mexico Birth Defects Prevention and Surveillance System (NMBDPASS) data. For data comparisons by level of rurality, see pages 15-17.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: New Mexico Department of Health
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Reports on demographic differences and trends in birth defects among children born in New Mexico using 2015-20204 New Mexico Birth Defects Prevention and Surveillance System (NMBDPASS) data. For data comparisons by level of rurality, see pages 15-17.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: New Mexico Department of Health
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Utilizing a Steering Committee to Implement Health in All Policies in a Rural, Micro-Urban Community
Examines the impact of a Health in All Policies (HiAP) steering committee in a rural and micro-urban area of Montana. Discusses the focus areas of the committee, such as a rural perspective on public health, policy, transportation, social services, development, preservation, education, and more. Reflects on the benefits of a multi-sector steering committee and an HiAP approach to impact rural communities.
Author(s): Danika Lee Comey, Bridget L. Hanson, Morgan E. Neavill, et al.
Citation: Health Promotion International, 41(1)
Date: 02/2026
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Examines the impact of a Health in All Policies (HiAP) steering committee in a rural and micro-urban area of Montana. Discusses the focus areas of the committee, such as a rural perspective on public health, policy, transportation, social services, development, preservation, education, and more. Reflects on the benefits of a multi-sector steering committee and an HiAP approach to impact rural communities.
Author(s): Danika Lee Comey, Bridget L. Hanson, Morgan E. Neavill, et al.
Citation: Health Promotion International, 41(1)
Date: 02/2026
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Roadblocks to Rural Health: State Transportation Policies' Impact on Health Care Access in Virginia's Rural Communities: 2021–2022
Examines transportation barriers that impact healthcare access and provides actionable strategies to remove barriers. Discusses collaboration with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to change signage policy and install directional signs to a rural Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Analyzes the subsequent impacts on access and cancer screening rates, as well as the importance of collaborating across community agencies.
Author(s): Katherine Y. Tossas, Bianca D. Owens, Michael O'Grady, Jinlei Zhao, Robert A. Winn
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 116(2), 175-179
Date: 02/2026
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Examines transportation barriers that impact healthcare access and provides actionable strategies to remove barriers. Discusses collaboration with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to change signage policy and install directional signs to a rural Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Analyzes the subsequent impacts on access and cancer screening rates, as well as the importance of collaborating across community agencies.
Author(s): Katherine Y. Tossas, Bianca D. Owens, Michael O'Grady, Jinlei Zhao, Robert A. Winn
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 116(2), 175-179
Date: 02/2026
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Kansas Rural Primary Care Workforce
Offers maps and tables of the primary care workforce distribution in Kansas in 2025. Includes county-level data and rural and urban comparisons.
Author(s): S.C. Woolcock, C.H.A. Andrilla, L.A. Garberson, J.M. Graves
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Offers maps and tables of the primary care workforce distribution in Kansas in 2025. Includes county-level data and rural and urban comparisons.
Author(s): S.C. Woolcock, C.H.A. Andrilla, L.A. Garberson, J.M. Graves
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Merging Law and Medicine: Patient Attitudes About and Experiences with Social Needs Screening and Medical-Legal Partnerships in Primary Care
Analyzes survey results of 502 adults who had visited a primary care provider in 2023 to investigate patient experiences with social needs screening (SNS) and medical-legal partnerships (MLP). Discusses rural patients' comfort with MLPs as an option to address social needs.
Author(s): Jamelia D. Graham, Jennifer L. Kraschnewski, Sophia I. Allen, et al.
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 17
Date: 02/2026
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Analyzes survey results of 502 adults who had visited a primary care provider in 2023 to investigate patient experiences with social needs screening (SNS) and medical-legal partnerships (MLP). Discusses rural patients' comfort with MLPs as an option to address social needs.
Author(s): Jamelia D. Graham, Jennifer L. Kraschnewski, Sophia I. Allen, et al.
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 17
Date: 02/2026
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Telehealth FAQ Calendar Year 2026
Provides information on Medicare telehealth regulations and payment policy for calendar year 2026. Includes information on audio-only services, behavioral health services, direct supervision, and more.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Provides information on Medicare telehealth regulations and payment policy for calendar year 2026. Includes information on audio-only services, behavioral health services, direct supervision, and more.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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2026 Heart Disease & Stroke Statistical Update Fact Sheet: American Indian/Alaska Natives & Cardiovascular Diseases
Reports statistics on cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure among American Indians and Alaska Natives. Includes data on smoking, physical inactivity, and diabetes.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: American Heart Association
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Reports statistics on cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure among American Indians and Alaska Natives. Includes data on smoking, physical inactivity, and diabetes.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: American Heart Association
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The Impact of Social Vulnerability on Primary Vaccine Coverage in Children With Sickle Cell Disease
Results of a study examining the relationship between social vulnerability and up-to-date vaccine coverage among children born in Georgia between 2008-2019 with sickle cell disease. Features statistics with breakdowns by rural and urban residence.
Author(s): Jiajing Scarlette Shi, Erin LaFon, Ankit Sutaria, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 13, 1689797
Date: 01/2026
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Results of a study examining the relationship between social vulnerability and up-to-date vaccine coverage among children born in Georgia between 2008-2019 with sickle cell disease. Features statistics with breakdowns by rural and urban residence.
Author(s): Jiajing Scarlette Shi, Erin LaFon, Ankit Sutaria, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 13, 1689797
Date: 01/2026
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Geographical Barriers to Surgical Treatment for Cataract among California Medicare Beneficiaries
Analyzes geographic factors associated with receipt of cataract surgery among California Medicare beneficiaries, using 2017 California Medicare Database claims data. Breaks down data by travel time or distance to care, rurality, and race or ethnicity.
Author(s): Karla Murillo, Ken Kitayama, Fei Yu, Victoria L. Tseng, Anne L. Coleman
Citation: Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, 52(6), 544-550
Date: 01/2026
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Analyzes geographic factors associated with receipt of cataract surgery among California Medicare beneficiaries, using 2017 California Medicare Database claims data. Breaks down data by travel time or distance to care, rurality, and race or ethnicity.
Author(s): Karla Murillo, Ken Kitayama, Fei Yu, Victoria L. Tseng, Anne L. Coleman
Citation: Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, 52(6), 544-550
Date: 01/2026
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Trauma and Emergency Surgical Care at Rural Emergency Hospital-Eligible Facilities: Interstate Variation and Policy Implications for Rural Health Systems
Explores trauma and emergency general surgery volumes at hospitals eligible to become Rural Emergency Hospitals (REHs). Analyzes 2021 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project data from California, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, and Wisconsin, to describe the volume of emergency general surgery and trauma care performed at REH-eligible hospitals. Examines the characteristics of the populations and communities served by hospitals eligible for REH designation compared with those served by REH-ineligible hospitals. Discusses the potential impact of converting to the REH designation on access to trauma and emergency general surgery.
Author(s): Nina M. Clark, Alexandra H. Hernandez, Cody L. Mullens, et al.
Citation: Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, 100(5), 768-776
Date: 01/2026
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Explores trauma and emergency general surgery volumes at hospitals eligible to become Rural Emergency Hospitals (REHs). Analyzes 2021 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project data from California, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, and Wisconsin, to describe the volume of emergency general surgery and trauma care performed at REH-eligible hospitals. Examines the characteristics of the populations and communities served by hospitals eligible for REH designation compared with those served by REH-ineligible hospitals. Discusses the potential impact of converting to the REH designation on access to trauma and emergency general surgery.
Author(s): Nina M. Clark, Alexandra H. Hernandez, Cody L. Mullens, et al.
Citation: Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, 100(5), 768-776
Date: 01/2026
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