Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services
Introduction to Rural Public Health
Training module focused on providing an overview of rural public health in the U.S. Includes discussion on rural public health systems and structures; leveraging existing strengths and attributes of rural communities to address the challenges they face; and the importance of developing partnerships and collaboration to support rural public health systems and care delivery. Continuing education credits for this course are available through October 15, 2027, via CDC TRAIN.
Additional links: CDC TRAIN
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
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Training module focused on providing an overview of rural public health in the U.S. Includes discussion on rural public health systems and structures; leveraging existing strengths and attributes of rural communities to address the challenges they face; and the importance of developing partnerships and collaboration to support rural public health systems and care delivery. Continuing education credits for this course are available through October 15, 2027, via CDC TRAIN.
Additional links: CDC TRAIN
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
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Assessing Measurement Invariance in Neighborhood Socioeconomic Environment Across Levels of Urbanicity
Examines neighborhood socioeconomic status (NSES) variables by census tract and their relationship to public health. Provides data on poverty, use of public assistance, employment characteristics, transportation insecurity, education, and more, by higher density urban, lower density urban, suburban/small town, and rural location.
Author(s): S. S. A. De Silva, Melissa A. Meeker, Tara P. McAlexander, et al.
Citation: Journal of Urban Health, 102, 1094-1103
Date: 10/2025
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Examines neighborhood socioeconomic status (NSES) variables by census tract and their relationship to public health. Provides data on poverty, use of public assistance, employment characteristics, transportation insecurity, education, and more, by higher density urban, lower density urban, suburban/small town, and rural location.
Author(s): S. S. A. De Silva, Melissa A. Meeker, Tara P. McAlexander, et al.
Citation: Journal of Urban Health, 102, 1094-1103
Date: 10/2025
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The Unspoken Struggles from Mental Health Stigma in a Rural Community: A Qualitative Exploration of Clubhouse Members' Lived Experiences
Explores the efficacy of the clubhouse model at overcoming stigma around mental health conditions and receiving mental healthcare in rural communities. Bases findings on semi-structured interviews with participants and staff of the Clubhouse in Wyoming. Details the Clubhouse's efforts to address stigma and overcome mental health prejudices.
Author(s): Ruth Korankye, Gloria Oladeji, Lauren Gilbert
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(11), 1626
Date: 10/2025
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Explores the efficacy of the clubhouse model at overcoming stigma around mental health conditions and receiving mental healthcare in rural communities. Bases findings on semi-structured interviews with participants and staff of the Clubhouse in Wyoming. Details the Clubhouse's efforts to address stigma and overcome mental health prejudices.
Author(s): Ruth Korankye, Gloria Oladeji, Lauren Gilbert
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(11), 1626
Date: 10/2025
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Benzodiazepine Use Among Older Adults: Any Use and Concurrent Use With Opioids
Statistical brief examining rates of prescription benzodiazepine use by demographic group, insurance type, and health status, using 2021-2022 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component (MEPS-HC) data. See Figure 6 for metro-nonmetro comparison data on benzodiazepine use and concurrent benzodiazepine-opioid use.
Author(s): Salam Abdus, G. Edward Miller
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Statistical brief examining rates of prescription benzodiazepine use by demographic group, insurance type, and health status, using 2021-2022 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component (MEPS-HC) data. See Figure 6 for metro-nonmetro comparison data on benzodiazepine use and concurrent benzodiazepine-opioid use.
Author(s): Salam Abdus, G. Edward Miller
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Maternity Deserts: The Equality State's Growing Crisis
Highlights maternity healthcare deserts in Wyoming and nationally. Discusses the impact of labor and delivery department closures, maternal mortality and morbidity, and more on access to care. Notes opportunities to improve outcomes including increasing access to care, additional workforce training and facility protocols to improve healthcare quality, and promote networking opportunities to share knowledge. Offers policy recommendations based on report findings. Discusses rural throughout.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: Wyoming Women's Action Network
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Highlights maternity healthcare deserts in Wyoming and nationally. Discusses the impact of labor and delivery department closures, maternal mortality and morbidity, and more on access to care. Notes opportunities to improve outcomes including increasing access to care, additional workforce training and facility protocols to improve healthcare quality, and promote networking opportunities to share knowledge. Offers policy recommendations based on report findings. Discusses rural throughout.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: Wyoming Women's Action Network
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Advocating for Incorporating Public Veterinary Health Care Into Human Health Systems
Explores the human health impacts of a public veterinary health program in rural tribal communities in Alaska. Highlights the health concerns from stray dog populations in tribal communities and remote areas that lack veterinarian services. Details impact on rates of dog bites, rabies, and other zoonotic pathogens.
Author(s): Laurie Meythaler-Mullins, Cheryl Eia, Allyce H. Lobdell, Danielle M. Frey
Citation: Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 12
Date: 10/2025
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Explores the human health impacts of a public veterinary health program in rural tribal communities in Alaska. Highlights the health concerns from stray dog populations in tribal communities and remote areas that lack veterinarian services. Details impact on rates of dog bites, rabies, and other zoonotic pathogens.
Author(s): Laurie Meythaler-Mullins, Cheryl Eia, Allyce H. Lobdell, Danielle M. Frey
Citation: Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 12
Date: 10/2025
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Advancing Diagnostic Excellence in Rural Areas: A Workshop
Recording of a workshop exploring potential improvements in diagnosis in rural areas of the United States. Topics discussed include the state of diagnosis in rural areas, access to diagnosis and diagnosis-related health disparities, applications of new technologies and innovations, healthcare workforce training, education, and support, and other aspects of service delivery innovation in rural areas. A video transcript is accessible through video control bar. Meeting materials are available for download below the video player, including workshop agenda, presentation slides, and public briefing materials.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Recording of a workshop exploring potential improvements in diagnosis in rural areas of the United States. Topics discussed include the state of diagnosis in rural areas, access to diagnosis and diagnosis-related health disparities, applications of new technologies and innovations, healthcare workforce training, education, and support, and other aspects of service delivery innovation in rural areas. A video transcript is accessible through video control bar. Meeting materials are available for download below the video player, including workshop agenda, presentation slides, and public briefing materials.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Strength in Community: Native Youth Leading HPV Cancer Prevention
Discusses the Southeastern American Indian Cancer Health Equity Partnership (SAICEP), a cancer prevention initiative focused on addressing cancer burdens through partnerships with North Carolina's tribal nations and urban Indian organizations. Details SAICEP's current initiative to encourage youth cancer prevention advocacy, including strategies related to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, tobacco use reduction, and sun safety.
Author(s): Ryan Dial
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
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Discusses the Southeastern American Indian Cancer Health Equity Partnership (SAICEP), a cancer prevention initiative focused on addressing cancer burdens through partnerships with North Carolina's tribal nations and urban Indian organizations. Details SAICEP's current initiative to encourage youth cancer prevention advocacy, including strategies related to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, tobacco use reduction, and sun safety.
Author(s): Ryan Dial
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
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Traffic Safety Facts, 2023 Data: Summary of Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes
Contains information on fatal and non-fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban or rural areas and a state-level map showing fatality rates per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, as of 2023.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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Contains information on fatal and non-fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban or rural areas and a state-level map showing fatality rates per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, as of 2023.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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Positive Outliers: How Some Rural Communities Maintain Access to Labor and Delivery Services
Explores healthcare providers' approaches to ensuring maternal care access in rural Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Mississippi. Provides case studies on the role of rural hospitals and clinics in providing labor and delivery services, discusses financial and logistical challenges faced by providers, and details funding, policy, and service delivery strategies supporting continued access.
Author(s): Sarah Klein, Molly Castle Work
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Bassett Research Institute, Commonwealth Fund
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Explores healthcare providers' approaches to ensuring maternal care access in rural Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Mississippi. Provides case studies on the role of rural hospitals and clinics in providing labor and delivery services, discusses financial and logistical challenges faced by providers, and details funding, policy, and service delivery strategies supporting continued access.
Author(s): Sarah Klein, Molly Castle Work
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Bassett Research Institute, Commonwealth Fund
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