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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Mortality

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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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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Differences in Lung Cancer Survival by Demographic Characteristics and Social Determinants of Health, United States, 2010-2020
Analyzes demographic and geographic factors associated with lung cancer survival, using 2010-2020 National Program of Cancer Registries data. Includes rural-urban data breakdowns, among other demographic, clinical, and geographic comparisons.
Author(s): Christine M. Kava, Shifan Dai, David A. Siegel, et al.
Citation: Public Health Reports
Date: 01/2026
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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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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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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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The Congenital Heart Initiative: Redefining Outcomes and Navigation to Adult-Centered Care (CHI-RON) Study
Reports on clinical and demographic gaps in adult congenital heart disease (CHD) care and the impact of care gaps on patient outcomes via a CHD surveillance system using patient-reported outcome, electronic health record, and administrative claims data. Includes data on mortality risk by level of rurality, among other factors.
Author(s): Anitha John, Lindsey Rudov, Rittal Mehta, et al.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
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Cancer in Alaska Native People, 1969-2023: 55 Year Report
Reports on cancer incidence and mortality among Alaska Native people versus U.S. White populations, with data comparisons by age, stage, cancer site, year, and tribal health region.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
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Grief in Native Communities
Report details the findings of a summit on grief in tribal communities from June, 2025. Discusses community-based grief practices, traditional cultural practices, and how postvention approaches can be adopted by elders and spiritual leaders as a protective measure.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Suicide Prevention Resource Center
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America's Health Rankings Senior Report 2026
Presents 56 measures of health and well-being from 25 data sources, to provide a picture of older adult health across the country, with comparisons by metro and nonmetro areas. Features insights on factors that shape the health of older adults in rural areas, and includes a state-level map with shadings showing ranges of rural population age 65 and older as of 2024.
Additional links: Executive Brief, Risk of Isolation County-Level Maps, State Summaries
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
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