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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services

Progress Towards Vitality: A 10-Year Retrospective Analysis of Systems Focused Efforts to Improve Maternal Health in Georgia
Assesses the state of Georgia's accomplishments and challenges in improving maternal health in Georgia in accordance with recommendations from Georgia Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) and the Georgia House Study Committee on Maternal Mortality. Discusses rural maternal care resources and access.
Author(s): Tabitha Pyatt, Nia Stewart, Juliana Lewis, Meredith Gonsahn
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Georgia Health Initiative, NORC at the University of Chicago
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Food Insecurity and Rural Child and Family Functioning
Examines the relationship between food security and family well-being in rural households during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyzes feedback from 61 caregivers regarding household food insecurity, child mental health issues, parent-child conflict, and more.
Author(s): Merelise R. Ametti, Hannah E. Frering, Kierian Huang, Katya Marsh, Robert R. Althoff
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(9), e2530691
Date: 09/2025
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Transforming Care: The Impact of COVID-19 on Telehealth Adoption in U.S. Home Health Care Agencies
Surveys 474 home health agencies between November 2022 and March 2024 to identify telehealth use and the perceived impact of COVID-19 policies on telehealth adoption. Includes rural and urban comparisons of telehealth modalities utilized to discuss targeted policies to support rural adoption.
Author(s): U. Gayani E. Perera, Ashley M. Chastain, Andrew W. Dick, et al.
Citation: Telemedicine and e-Health, 31(12), 1503-1507
Date: 09/2025
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Associations Between Insurance Status, Financial Hardship, and Rurality on Receipt of Guideline-Concordant Mammography
Analyzes associations between receipt of ACS or USPSTF guideline-concordant mammography and factors including healthcare-related financial hardship, insurance status, and rurality, utilizing 2023 National Health Interview Survey data of 11,138 women. Includes data on interactions between healthcare-related financial hardship and rurality within the context of access to mammography.
Author(s): Nicole E. Caston, Lisa P. Spees, Austin R. Waters, Stephanie B. Wheeler
Citation: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention
Date: 09/2025
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New Mexico Department of Health: FY25-27 Strategic Plan Update
Reports on the New Mexico Department of Health's priorities, initiatives, and services provided under the FY 25-27 Strategic Plan as of September 2025. Discusses topics including access to care, data collection and use, public health, and tribal partnerships.
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: New Mexico Department of Health
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New York State's Paid Family Leave Improved Postpartum Health Care among Women with Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy
Assesses the impact of a state paid family leave law on postpartum healthcare utilization among 312,470 women with hypertensive disorders. Includes rural and urban break down by hypertension status of study participants, among other demographic and health characteristics.
Author(s): Donglan Zhang, Jun Soo Lee, Elena V. Kuklina, et al.
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 3(10)
Date: 09/2025
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Beyond the Clinic Walls: Exploring the Potential of Mobile Health
Explores the use mobile health services to increase access to care and highlights opportunities to close evidence gaps. Summarizes the research on mobile health delivery in primary, specialty, and emergency care. Discusses rural concerns including for breast cancer screening, dentistry, acute stroke response, behavioral crisis interventions, and community paramedicine.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Maanasa Kona, Julia Burleson, Leila Sullivan
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Center on Health Insurance Reforms, Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy
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Maternal Health in Utah: Risk Factors, Workforce Gaps, and Access to Care
Describes the state of maternal healthcare in Utah including outcomes, mortality, risk factors, health status, access to hospitals, and workforce shortages. Offers county-level data and discusses rural throughout.
Author(s): Melanie Beagley
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Utah Office of Primary Care and Rural Health
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Does Caregiver Well-Being Differ by Rurality and State Policy Environment? Identifying a Well-Being Typology for Rural, Suburban, and Urban Caregivers
Results of a study of informal caregiver well-being, exploring ways in which geographic location, individual circumstances, and state-level policies can impact a caregiver's health, comfort, and happiness. Features demographics and statistics with breakdowns by rural, suburban, and urban areas.
Author(s): Elena Maria Pojman, Florence Becot, Zuzana Bednarik, Carrie Henning-Smith
Citation: Rural Sociology, 90(3), e70015
Date: 09/2025
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State Youth Peer Support Policy Toolkit
Toolkit presents resources and guidance for developing and supporting state-level policy for peer support to address youth mental health needs. Highlights models, funding mechanisms, and training, among other aspects integral to youth peer support programs.
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: Mental Health America
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