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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services

Economic Factors Associated With County-Level Mental Health – United States, 2019
Explores the correlation between economic factors, such as household income, education, and supplemental income and nutritional support, and county-level mental health. Breaks down economic factors, such as employment, income and wealth, and expenses by rural and urban location.
Author(s): Michele L.F. Bolduc, Parya Saberi, Torsten B. Neilands, et al.
Citation: PLoS One, 20(6), e0300939
Date: 06/2025
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The Impacts of Transportation and Travel Access on Rural Health in Hawai'i
Reports on transportation and travel access as barriers to healthcare in rural Hawaii, utilizing a literature review and interviews with stakeholders, and provides policy suggestions for improving access to care. Includes a detailed review of the use of telehealth for rural maternal-fetal health.
Additional links: Overview
Author(s): John Desfor, Keilyn Kawakami, Monica Ho, et al.
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Hawaiʻi Rural Health Research & Policy Center
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Primary Care Screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections in the United States from 2019 to 2021
Examines the impact of COVID-19 on sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing in primary care settings from 2019-2021. Analyzes data from 4,410,609 patient encounters recorded in the PRIME Registry and observes testing rates according to STI type, patient demographics, patient region and community type, and metropolitan, micropolitan, small town, or rural location.
Author(s): Shiying Hao, Esther E. Velásquez, William S. Pearson, et al.
Citation: PLOS ONE, 20(6)
Date: 06/2025
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Logistic and Time Burdens Reported by Gynecologic and Breast Cancer Survivors
Examines logistic and time burdens of cancer care in breast and gynecologic cancer survivors. Analyzes survey feedback from 224 participants related to travel time, wait time, and trips to the cancer center, with data breakdowns according to patient's employment, education, cancer type and treatment status, dependent status, income, and rural versus urban residence. Discusses the impact of cancer care on time for other activities.
Author(s): Allison C. Dona, Aisha Ambo, Patricia Jewett, et al.
Citation: BMC Women's Health, 25, 273
Date: 06/2025
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Firearm Safe Storage Practices among Firearm Owners in Rural and Urban Households
Analyzes associations between rural or urban living and likelihood of storing firearms loaded versus unloaded and locked versus unlocked, utilizing 2021-2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data.
Author(s): Yi-Fang Lu, Victor A. Soupene
Citation: Injury Epidemiology, 12, 33
Date: 06/2025
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Young Adult Perspectives on Deciding to Get Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination in Urban and Rural Communities: A Qualitative Research Study
Examines perspectives of young adults aged 18 to 21 on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Utilizes interview feedback from 56 young adults in rural Wisconsin and urban Minnesota about HPV vaccine decision-making, vaccine acceptance and hesitancy, concerns about the vaccine, trust in healthcare professionals, and more.
Author(s): Maria E. Sundaram, Ben Christianson, Oluwakemi D. Alonge, et al.
Citation: Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 21(1), 2508572
Date: 06/2025
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Fluoride Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors: Adults in Rural Alabama
Highlights a study on rural adults knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding fluoride use in water and toothpaste as method of cavity prevention. Bases findings on a survey of 291 adults in Green Hill, Alabama.
Author(s): Alex Harper, Steven M. Levy, Wei Shi
Citation: Journal of Primary Care and Community Health, 16
Date: 06/2025
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Social Determinants of Health and Rehabilitation Service Areas: An Urban and Rural Mediation Analysis
Analyzes associations between social determinants of health (SDOH) and community discharge rate disparities in rural and urban communities, utilizing AHRQ Social Determinants of Health Database data alongside other ZCTA-level datasets. Identifies key factors for addressing disparities in post-acute rehabilitation services.
Author(s): Sanghun Nam, Susanne Schmidt, Julianna M. Dean, Alex F. Bokov, Timothy A. Reistetter
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 13, 1562610
Date: 06/2025
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Expanding a Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Fellowship to Support Rural and Underserved Pediatric Patients in the US
Discusses the structure and impacts of a Delaware nurse practitioner fellowship training program focused on providing mental health and primary care services in rural and underserved areas. Identifies challenges and lessons learned, and highlights the value of rural-specific training and education.
Author(s): Aaron Carpenter, Catherine Haut, Sarah E. Wawrzynski, Stacey Bachman, Lisa Kelly
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 25, 9650
Date: 06/2025
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Geographic Disparities in Unpaid Caregiving
Presents a study examining the differences in the perceived health and well-being of unpaid caregivers between rural and urban areas. Breaks down data by caregiver demographic characteristics, such as age, sex, and employment status, among others.
Author(s): Emma Kathryn Boswell, Monique J. Brown, Lorie Donelle, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2), e70039
Date: 06/2025
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