Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Physical activity
Chain Reaction: Homegrown Programs Encourage Safe Biking in Rural Areas
Discusses the challenges rural areas may face in taking advantage of the health and other benefits of biking. Features a coalition that sponsors bike safety events in rural California, an Ohio library program for checking out bicycles, and bicycle advocacy work in rural Wisconsin.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Discusses the challenges rural areas may face in taking advantage of the health and other benefits of biking. Features a coalition that sponsors bike safety events in rural California, an Ohio library program for checking out bicycles, and bicycle advocacy work in rural Wisconsin.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Prevalence of Meeting Youth Physical Activity Guidelines Across Income, Sex, Urbanicity, and Sport Participation: 2022–2023 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH)
Examines the prevalence of youth meeting physical activity guidelines by income, sex, rurality, and sports participation. Draws data from the National Survey of Children's Health from 2022-2023.
Author(s): Ashleigh Johnson
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(1), e70105
Date: 01/2026
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Examines the prevalence of youth meeting physical activity guidelines by income, sex, rurality, and sports participation. Draws data from the National Survey of Children's Health from 2022-2023.
Author(s): Ashleigh Johnson
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(1), e70105
Date: 01/2026
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Associations Between Social Media Usage, Physical Activity, and Flourishing in Rural University Students
Results of a pilot study examining the correlation between social media usage, physical activity, and overall well-being and health among college students at a rural Appalachian university. Based on self-reported data collected from April-October 2024. .
Author(s): Anna Dysart, Minu Sara Thomas
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 7(4), 128-136
Date: 12/2025
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Results of a pilot study examining the correlation between social media usage, physical activity, and overall well-being and health among college students at a rural Appalachian university. Based on self-reported data collected from April-October 2024. .
Author(s): Anna Dysart, Minu Sara Thomas
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 7(4), 128-136
Date: 12/2025
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A Scoping Review Comparing Individual and Multi-Level Physical Activity Interventions in Rural Women in the United States
Scoping review comparing the outcomes of 38 individual and multi-level physical activity interventions for rural women. Discusses aspects of physical activity intervention research including population groups studied, characteristics of effective programs, and priorities for continued physical activity intervention research.
Author(s): Katrina L. Wilhite, Alexis Thrower, Sarah Modlin, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 25, 4211
Date: 12/2025
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Scoping review comparing the outcomes of 38 individual and multi-level physical activity interventions for rural women. Discusses aspects of physical activity intervention research including population groups studied, characteristics of effective programs, and priorities for continued physical activity intervention research.
Author(s): Katrina L. Wilhite, Alexis Thrower, Sarah Modlin, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 25, 4211
Date: 12/2025
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Rural Active Living: A Call to Action 2.0, 10-Year Review and Recommendations to Advance the Field
Examines the recommendations from the 2015 Rural Active Living: A Call to Action guidance. Utilizes feedback from the Physical Activity Policy Research and Evaluation Network Rural Active Living Workgroup, funded by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, to review the original 8 Rural Active Living Calls to Action. Discusses relevant literature and research related to active living best practices, social issues, COVID-19 impacts, collaboration, implementation science, and implications of rural health funding.
Author(s): M Renée Umstattd Meyer, Marilyn E Wende, Jessica Stroope, et al.
Citation: Journal of Public Health Management & Practice, 32(2), 197-213
Date: 11/2025
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Examines the recommendations from the 2015 Rural Active Living: A Call to Action guidance. Utilizes feedback from the Physical Activity Policy Research and Evaluation Network Rural Active Living Workgroup, funded by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, to review the original 8 Rural Active Living Calls to Action. Discusses relevant literature and research related to active living best practices, social issues, COVID-19 impacts, collaboration, implementation science, and implications of rural health funding.
Author(s): M Renée Umstattd Meyer, Marilyn E Wende, Jessica Stroope, et al.
Citation: Journal of Public Health Management & Practice, 32(2), 197-213
Date: 11/2025
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Staying Strong on the Job: Physical and Psychosocial Benefits of Exercise for Agricultural Workers
Evaluates the impact of an exercise program among 25 agricultural workers. The program aimed to improve strength to reduce workplace injuries. Discusses both measured and perceived changes in functional capacity.
Author(s): Nicholas Spokely, Diego Diaz-Vega, Lindsey Phillips Abernathy, et al.
Citation: Journal of Agromedicine, 31(1)
Date: 11/2025
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Evaluates the impact of an exercise program among 25 agricultural workers. The program aimed to improve strength to reduce workplace injuries. Discusses both measured and perceived changes in functional capacity.
Author(s): Nicholas Spokely, Diego Diaz-Vega, Lindsey Phillips Abernathy, et al.
Citation: Journal of Agromedicine, 31(1)
Date: 11/2025
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Health Behaviors and Injury among New Mexican Adults: Results from the 2023 New Mexico Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Reports on health behaviors and injuries in New Mexico using New Mexico Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (NM BRFSS) data, covering topics including alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis use, physical activity, firearm safety, seatbelt use, suicidal ideation, sexual violence, and fall injuries. Provides data breakdowns for each topic by level of rurality and other demographics.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: New Mexico Department of Health
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Reports on health behaviors and injuries in New Mexico using New Mexico Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (NM BRFSS) data, covering topics including alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis use, physical activity, firearm safety, seatbelt use, suicidal ideation, sexual violence, and fall injuries. Provides data breakdowns for each topic by level of rurality and other demographics.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: New Mexico Department of Health
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South Carolina 2025-2030 State Health Improvement Plan
Describes a plan for public health improvement in South Carolina. Identifies priorities, strategies, and metrics for topics including health outcomes, maternal and infant health, and behavioral health. Mentions rural throughout.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: South Carolina Department of Public Health
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Describes a plan for public health improvement in South Carolina. Identifies priorities, strategies, and metrics for topics including health outcomes, maternal and infant health, and behavioral health. Mentions rural throughout.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: South Carolina Department of Public Health
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Hoosier Sport Re-Social: A Protocol for Developing a Biopsychosocial Body Satisfaction Intervention in Rural Indiana
Provides a study protocol for an intervention aimed at improving body satisfaction, healthy social media use, and positive exercise behaviors in adolescent girls living in rural Indiana. Discusses plans to examine adolescent self-esteem and physical activity levels, create a community co-design intervention, and conduct a mixed-methods pilot study within physical and health education classes.
Author(s): Janette M. Watkins, Janelle M. Goss, Vanessa M. Martinez Kercher, et al.
Citation: Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 11, 113
Date: 08/2025
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Provides a study protocol for an intervention aimed at improving body satisfaction, healthy social media use, and positive exercise behaviors in adolescent girls living in rural Indiana. Discusses plans to examine adolescent self-esteem and physical activity levels, create a community co-design intervention, and conduct a mixed-methods pilot study within physical and health education classes.
Author(s): Janette M. Watkins, Janelle M. Goss, Vanessa M. Martinez Kercher, et al.
Citation: Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 11, 113
Date: 08/2025
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A Comprehensive Mixed-Methods Analysis of Women's Cardiovascular Health Needs in Georgia, United States
Examines cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women living in rural Georgia, with a focus on barriers to care and strategies to improve health outcomes. Analyzes environmental factors in rural and urban counties in Georgia as well qualitative data from 56 women and 11 healthcare providers. Includes data on health indicators/behaviors in rural versus urban counties.
Author(s): Marlo Vernon, Brianna McIndoe, Michael J. Ryan, et al.
Citation: Biology of Sex Differences, 16, 62
Date: 08/2025
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Examines cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women living in rural Georgia, with a focus on barriers to care and strategies to improve health outcomes. Analyzes environmental factors in rural and urban counties in Georgia as well qualitative data from 56 women and 11 healthcare providers. Includes data on health indicators/behaviors in rural versus urban counties.
Author(s): Marlo Vernon, Brianna McIndoe, Michael J. Ryan, et al.
Citation: Biology of Sex Differences, 16, 62
Date: 08/2025
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