Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Mortality
Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Analysis of Urban vs. Rural Survival Outcomes from the United States' National Cancer Institute, a SEER Based Study
Compares Merkel cell carcinoma survival outcomes among rural and urban patients using 2010-2021 SEER data. Discusses the role of access barriers on cancer mortality among rural populations.
Author(s): Grace Evelyn Steinback, Joycie Chang, Anand Rajpara, Michael Siscos
Citation: Clinical Surgical Oncology, 5(1), 100120
Date: 02/2026
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Compares Merkel cell carcinoma survival outcomes among rural and urban patients using 2010-2021 SEER data. Discusses the role of access barriers on cancer mortality among rural populations.
Author(s): Grace Evelyn Steinback, Joycie Chang, Anand Rajpara, Michael Siscos
Citation: Clinical Surgical Oncology, 5(1), 100120
Date: 02/2026
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Trends in Respiratory Failure Mortality in the United States from 1999 to 2023
Examines changes over time in respiratory failure among adults aged 45 years and older, using 1999-2023 CDC WONDER data. Breaks down data by demographic group, including metro-nonmetro comparisons.
Author(s): Yunfei Shu, Suihan Xu, Biao Zeng, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Medicine, 13, 1718556
Date: 02/2026
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Examines changes over time in respiratory failure among adults aged 45 years and older, using 1999-2023 CDC WONDER data. Breaks down data by demographic group, including metro-nonmetro comparisons.
Author(s): Yunfei Shu, Suihan Xu, Biao Zeng, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Medicine, 13, 1718556
Date: 02/2026
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Long-Term Mortality Trends in Patients with Concurrent Hernia and Diabetes in the United States
Analyzes demographic variations in long-term mortality trends among patients with both hernia and diabetes mellitus as contributing causes of death, using 1999-2023 CDC WONDER data. Includes data comparisons by metropolitan or nonmetropolitan area, among other factors.
Author(s): Xiaoyang Shi, Xiao Yu, Yu-Jun Xiong, Tian Lv, Xiaoyong Si
Citation: Frontiers in Endocrinology, 17, 1723074
Date: 02/2026
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Analyzes demographic variations in long-term mortality trends among patients with both hernia and diabetes mellitus as contributing causes of death, using 1999-2023 CDC WONDER data. Includes data comparisons by metropolitan or nonmetropolitan area, among other factors.
Author(s): Xiaoyang Shi, Xiao Yu, Yu-Jun Xiong, Tian Lv, Xiaoyong Si
Citation: Frontiers in Endocrinology, 17, 1723074
Date: 02/2026
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Survival of Patients Diagnosed With Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Examines survival rates of cancer patients before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, using 2015-2021 SEER-21 database data. Includes rural-urban breakdowns, among other demographic and clinical data comparisons.
Author(s): Todd Burus, Haluk Damgacioglu, Bin Huang, et al.
Citation: JAMA Oncology
Date: 02/2026
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Examines survival rates of cancer patients before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, using 2015-2021 SEER-21 database data. Includes rural-urban breakdowns, among other demographic and clinical data comparisons.
Author(s): Todd Burus, Haluk Damgacioglu, Bin Huang, et al.
Citation: JAMA Oncology
Date: 02/2026
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"It's a Last Straw Situation"; Overdose Response and Preferences for Seeking Support from Emergency Services During Overdose in Rural Ohio
Explores the perceptions and preferences of people in rural Ohio affected by the opioid epidemic about contacting first responders during an overdose. Bases findings on a survey of 43 rural people who have experienced or witnessed an overdose on the factors they considered when deciding whether or not to call 911.
Author(s): David C. Colston, Vivian F. Go, Clare Barrington, et al.
Citation: PLOS One, 21(1), e0338689
Date: 01/2026
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Explores the perceptions and preferences of people in rural Ohio affected by the opioid epidemic about contacting first responders during an overdose. Bases findings on a survey of 43 rural people who have experienced or witnessed an overdose on the factors they considered when deciding whether or not to call 911.
Author(s): David C. Colston, Vivian F. Go, Clare Barrington, et al.
Citation: PLOS One, 21(1), e0338689
Date: 01/2026
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America's Health Rankings Annual Report 2025
Provides a national and state-by-state overview of population health by analyzing 99 measures drawn from 31 data sources to describe and rank health outcomes in the U.S. Analyzes and presents data on disparities by geography and demographic characteristics throughout. See the section titled, "Spotlight: Rural Communities," for information on trends in colorectal and breast cancer screening rates and physical inactivity of adults in rural areas between 2022 and 2024.
Additional links: Executive Brief
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
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Provides a national and state-by-state overview of population health by analyzing 99 measures drawn from 31 data sources to describe and rank health outcomes in the U.S. Analyzes and presents data on disparities by geography and demographic characteristics throughout. See the section titled, "Spotlight: Rural Communities," for information on trends in colorectal and breast cancer screening rates and physical inactivity of adults in rural areas between 2022 and 2024.
Additional links: Executive Brief
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
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Outcomes Among Patients With Colon Cancer Living in Neighborhoods With Persistent Poverty
Results of a study comparing clinical outcomes for colon cancer patients based on the number of census tracts per ZIP code that were in persistent poverty at the time of diagnosis. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Author(s): Leon Naar, Alexa L. Pohl, Arden M. Morris, Aaron J. Dawes,
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(1), e2551212.
Date: 01/2026
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Results of a study comparing clinical outcomes for colon cancer patients based on the number of census tracts per ZIP code that were in persistent poverty at the time of diagnosis. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Author(s): Leon Naar, Alexa L. Pohl, Arden M. Morris, Aaron J. Dawes,
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(1), e2551212.
Date: 01/2026
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Working on Wellness: The Rural Health and Employment Link
Examines the relationship between rural population health outcomes and employment security. Provides data on labor force participation, life expectancy, unhealthy days, and disability rates across the rural-urban continuum. Discusses metro versus nonmetro differences in workplace hazards and physical exertion.
Author(s): Surekha Carpenter, Bethany Greene, Stephanie Norris
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
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Examines the relationship between rural population health outcomes and employment security. Provides data on labor force participation, life expectancy, unhealthy days, and disability rates across the rural-urban continuum. Discusses metro versus nonmetro differences in workplace hazards and physical exertion.
Author(s): Surekha Carpenter, Bethany Greene, Stephanie Norris
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
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Alabama: 113 Causes of Death by County of Residence, Race, and Sex, 2024
County-by-county data on cause of death in Alabama in 2024. Includes totals and rates, and makes comparisons by race and sex.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Alabama Public Health
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County-by-county data on cause of death in Alabama in 2024. Includes totals and rates, and makes comparisons by race and sex.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Alabama Public Health
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Geospatial Analysis of Breast Cancer Incidence, Mortality, and Access to Screening in Rural and Appalachian Virginia
Assesses differences in breast cancer rates and mortality between Appalachian and non-Appalachian counties, and rural and nonrural counties in Virginia. Also explores whether availability of mammography is associated with differences. Features county-level Virginia maps, and statistics with breakdowns by Virginia counties, rural counties, and nonrural counties.
Author(s): Jennifer Osher, Caleb Brown, Phillip Nichols, Tariq Ayubi, Jeremy Powers
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 7(4), 55-69
Date: 12/2025
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Assesses differences in breast cancer rates and mortality between Appalachian and non-Appalachian counties, and rural and nonrural counties in Virginia. Also explores whether availability of mammography is associated with differences. Features county-level Virginia maps, and statistics with breakdowns by Virginia counties, rural counties, and nonrural counties.
Author(s): Jennifer Osher, Caleb Brown, Phillip Nichols, Tariq Ayubi, Jeremy Powers
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 7(4), 55-69
Date: 12/2025
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