Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Mortality
Wrong-Way Driving and Injury Risk on a Rural Four-Lane Corridor: A Descriptive and Spatial Analysis of US Highway 10, 2019-2024
Examines crash, injury, and mortality characteristics along a rural highway in Wisconsin. Analyzes 239 motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) from 2019-2024 according to environmental conditions, manner of collision, use of substances, and injury or death. Discusses geographic disparities in MVC fatalities and access to emergency care, as well as the role of public safety planning.
Author(s): Heather Rhodes-Lyons, Rachel Symons, Gina Brandl, Erin Klarr, Lucy Martinek
Citation: Wisconsin Medical Journal, 125(4), 445-450
Date: 11/2026
view details
Examines crash, injury, and mortality characteristics along a rural highway in Wisconsin. Analyzes 239 motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) from 2019-2024 according to environmental conditions, manner of collision, use of substances, and injury or death. Discusses geographic disparities in MVC fatalities and access to emergency care, as well as the role of public safety planning.
Author(s): Heather Rhodes-Lyons, Rachel Symons, Gina Brandl, Erin Klarr, Lucy Martinek
Citation: Wisconsin Medical Journal, 125(4), 445-450
Date: 11/2026
view details
Differential Effects of Social Determinants on Cancer Survival by Age at Diagnosis: A Population-Based Study in Alabama
Examines whether the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) on cancer survival differs by age at diagnosis. Utilizes 2010-2019 Alabama Statewide Cancer Registry data on adults diagnosed with breast, prostate, colorectal, or lung cancers and analyzes survival rate alongside social vulnerability, rurality, and insurance status.
Author(s): Mackenzie E. Fowler, Geetanjali Saini, Elizabeth Baker, Mahak Bhargava, Ritu Aneja
Citation: Journal of Geriatric Oncology, 17(8), 103094
Date: 11/2026
view details
Examines whether the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) on cancer survival differs by age at diagnosis. Utilizes 2010-2019 Alabama Statewide Cancer Registry data on adults diagnosed with breast, prostate, colorectal, or lung cancers and analyzes survival rate alongside social vulnerability, rurality, and insurance status.
Author(s): Mackenzie E. Fowler, Geetanjali Saini, Elizabeth Baker, Mahak Bhargava, Ritu Aneja
Citation: Journal of Geriatric Oncology, 17(8), 103094
Date: 11/2026
view details
My Daughter Knows over 21 People That Have Died from Drug Overdose or Suicide: Cross-Sector Rural Provider Perspectives on Adverse Childhood Experiences
Presents a study on how providers from healthcare, social services, and other sectors in rural Missouri view the role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) play in substance use, overdose, and suicide in their communities. Discusses the methods for mitigating exposure and negative health consequences for children with ACEs.
Author(s): Ashley E. Douglas, Julie M. Kapp
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 14, 1891916
Date: 10/2026
view details
Presents a study on how providers from healthcare, social services, and other sectors in rural Missouri view the role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) play in substance use, overdose, and suicide in their communities. Discusses the methods for mitigating exposure and negative health consequences for children with ACEs.
Author(s): Ashley E. Douglas, Julie M. Kapp
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 14, 1891916
Date: 10/2026
view details
Disparities in Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Rural Versus Urban Michigan
Compares rural and urban cancer incidence and cancer-specific mortality in Michigan, using 2017-2021 data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Includes breakdowns by cancer type for 10 leading cancers, as well as incidence by Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) stage for colorectal, female breast, lung and bronchus, and prostate cancer.
Author(s): Reba Dhillon, Stephanie Mackenzie, Austin H. Qasawa, et al.
Citation: Cancer Medicine, 15(11), e72396
Date: 10/2026
view details
Compares rural and urban cancer incidence and cancer-specific mortality in Michigan, using 2017-2021 data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Includes breakdowns by cancer type for 10 leading cancers, as well as incidence by Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) stage for colorectal, female breast, lung and bronchus, and prostate cancer.
Author(s): Reba Dhillon, Stephanie Mackenzie, Austin H. Qasawa, et al.
Citation: Cancer Medicine, 15(11), e72396
Date: 10/2026
view details
Rural America Grew During the Pandemic Era Because of Migration Gains
An issue brief that examines migration patterns from 2010 to 2025 across the rural continuum and county types. Discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality and population growth.
Author(s): Kenneth Johnson
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Carsey School of Public Policy
view details
An issue brief that examines migration patterns from 2010 to 2025 across the rural continuum and county types. Discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality and population growth.
Author(s): Kenneth Johnson
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Carsey School of Public Policy
view details
2026 Arkansas State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup: Annual Profile of Substance Use
Provides information on youth and adult substance abuse in Arkansas to help guide substance abuse prevention decision-making. Highlights consequences such as arrests, suicide, and depression and focuses on alcohol, tobacco, illicit drug, and prescription drug use. Includes county-level profiles and an overview of a variety of community and personal health indicators.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Arkansas Department of Human Services, UA Little Rock MidSOUTH Center for Prevention and Training, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
view details
Provides information on youth and adult substance abuse in Arkansas to help guide substance abuse prevention decision-making. Highlights consequences such as arrests, suicide, and depression and focuses on alcohol, tobacco, illicit drug, and prescription drug use. Includes county-level profiles and an overview of a variety of community and personal health indicators.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Arkansas Department of Human Services, UA Little Rock MidSOUTH Center for Prevention and Training, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
view details
Risk Factors for Adolescent Drug and Alcohol Abuse in Arkansas 2025
Provides state, region, and county-level data for Arkansas related to substance abuse by youth. Identifies risk factors associated with drug and alcohol abuse, such as the number of arrests, unemployment, school infractions, tobacco and cannabis retailers, and more, as well as associated public health outcomes such as substance use-related mortality.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Arkansas Department of Human Services, Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, UA Little Rock MidSOUTH Center for Prevention and Training
view details
Provides state, region, and county-level data for Arkansas related to substance abuse by youth. Identifies risk factors associated with drug and alcohol abuse, such as the number of arrests, unemployment, school infractions, tobacco and cannabis retailers, and more, as well as associated public health outcomes such as substance use-related mortality.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Arkansas Department of Human Services, Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, UA Little Rock MidSOUTH Center for Prevention and Training
view details
Treatable Mortality in Illinois Counties, "Them That Has, Gets"
Examines preventable mortality in Illinois caused by diseases that could have been treated by available medical care. Utilizes CDC Wonder data from 2018 and 2024 and provides county-level, as well as metro versus nonmetro, mortality rates and causes of death.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
view details
Examines preventable mortality in Illinois caused by diseases that could have been treated by available medical care. Utilizes CDC Wonder data from 2018 and 2024 and provides county-level, as well as metro versus nonmetro, mortality rates and causes of death.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
view details
Traffic Safety Facts, 2024 Data: Passenger Vehicles
National data on traffic crashes involving passenger vehicles. Features statistics from 2020-2024 with breakdowns by vehicle type, time of day, fatalities, state, and rural or urban locations.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
view details
National data on traffic crashes involving passenger vehicles. Features statistics from 2020-2024 with breakdowns by vehicle type, time of day, fatalities, state, and rural or urban locations.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
view details
Rural Patients' Transitional Care Experiences: A Qualitative Analysis of Provider Notes
Examines experiences of older, veteran patients discharged from a hospital to their home. Utilizes electronic health record clinical notes and Veterans Affairs (VA) Corporate Data Warehouse data from 200 veterans who died within 30 days of discharge. Analyzes rural versus urban differences in patient demographics, patient health conditions, geographic distance to care settings, willingness to utilize home health services, caregiver burden, and more. Discusses unique challenges experienced by rural veterans and their caregivers in transitional care.
Author(s): Samantha B. Randolph, Nicholas A. Rattray, Claire E. Donnelly, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(4), e70225
Date: 10/2026
view details
Examines experiences of older, veteran patients discharged from a hospital to their home. Utilizes electronic health record clinical notes and Veterans Affairs (VA) Corporate Data Warehouse data from 200 veterans who died within 30 days of discharge. Analyzes rural versus urban differences in patient demographics, patient health conditions, geographic distance to care settings, willingness to utilize home health services, caregiver burden, and more. Discusses unique challenges experienced by rural veterans and their caregivers in transitional care.
Author(s): Samantha B. Randolph, Nicholas A. Rattray, Claire E. Donnelly, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(4), e70225
Date: 10/2026
view details