Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Physical activity
Cost-Effectiveness of the Rural Lifestyle Eating and Activity Program (Rural LEAP)
Analyzes the cost-effectiveness of telephone-based coaching sessions after participation in a weight loss intervention, utilizing data from a trial conducted from 2013-2018 in rural Florida counties. Discusses the importance of delivering cost-effective treatment for obesity in rural areas.
Author(s): Tiffany A. Radcliff, Murray J. Côté, Meena N. Shankar, et al.
Citation: PLoS One, 20(7), e0326383
Date: 07/2025
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Analyzes the cost-effectiveness of telephone-based coaching sessions after participation in a weight loss intervention, utilizing data from a trial conducted from 2013-2018 in rural Florida counties. Discusses the importance of delivering cost-effective treatment for obesity in rural areas.
Author(s): Tiffany A. Radcliff, Murray J. Côté, Meena N. Shankar, et al.
Citation: PLoS One, 20(7), e0326383
Date: 07/2025
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Associations Between Screen Time Use and Health Outcomes Among US Teenagers
Examines screen use and its correlation to health outcomes in teenagers aged 12 to 17. Utilizes self-reported data from the 2021–2023 National Health Interview Survey-Teen (NHIS-Teen) to analyze physical activity, sleep, weight, and mental health, further broken down by respondent demographics, including metro versus nonmetro location.
Author(s): Benjamin Zablotsky, Amanda E. Ng, Lindsey I. Black, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 07/2025
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Examines screen use and its correlation to health outcomes in teenagers aged 12 to 17. Utilizes self-reported data from the 2021–2023 National Health Interview Survey-Teen (NHIS-Teen) to analyze physical activity, sleep, weight, and mental health, further broken down by respondent demographics, including metro versus nonmetro location.
Author(s): Benjamin Zablotsky, Amanda E. Ng, Lindsey I. Black, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 07/2025
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Self-Reported Reasons Preventing US Adults From Walking to Places Within 10 Minutes of Home
Examines environmental, access, and individual reasons given for not walking to places near home, utilizing 2022 SummerStyles survey data of 3,967 adults. Breaks down self-identified reasons for not walking by geographic and demographic characteristics, including rurality. Discusses the value of walkability for physical fitness and community accessibility.
Author(s): Hatidza Zaganjor, Tiffany J. Chen, Miriam E. Van Dyke, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22, 240394
Date: 06/2025
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Examines environmental, access, and individual reasons given for not walking to places near home, utilizing 2022 SummerStyles survey data of 3,967 adults. Breaks down self-identified reasons for not walking by geographic and demographic characteristics, including rurality. Discusses the value of walkability for physical fitness and community accessibility.
Author(s): Hatidza Zaganjor, Tiffany J. Chen, Miriam E. Van Dyke, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22, 240394
Date: 06/2025
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Rural Health Disparities: Contemporary Solutions for Persistent Rural Public Health Challenges
Special issue of Preventing Chronic Disease featuring articles that examine rural health disparities and discuss rural public health strategies to address cancer, diabetes, and other chronic conditions, and to promote physical activity.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease
Date: 06/2025
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Special issue of Preventing Chronic Disease featuring articles that examine rural health disparities and discuss rural public health strategies to address cancer, diabetes, and other chronic conditions, and to promote physical activity.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease
Date: 06/2025
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Family Weight Management in Rural U.S. Communities: A Mixed Methods Study of Parent and Child Perspectives
Examines interest in behavioral health programming to treat childhood obesity, utilizing focus group excerpts and survey data from 33 parents and 15 children in rural Southern counties. Highlights concerns, suggestions, and desired outcomes for program implementation.
Author(s): Alyssa Button, Denise Holston, Jamila Freightman, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 25, 2089
Date: 06/2025
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Examines interest in behavioral health programming to treat childhood obesity, utilizing focus group excerpts and survey data from 33 parents and 15 children in rural Southern counties. Highlights concerns, suggestions, and desired outcomes for program implementation.
Author(s): Alyssa Button, Denise Holston, Jamila Freightman, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 25, 2089
Date: 06/2025
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Evaluating Nature-Based Versus Generic Physical Activity Programs to Address Chronic Health Conditions: Lessons from an Oregon (USA) Pilot Study
Describes the design, implementation, and results of a "nature prescription" program for patients with chronic health conditions in 2 rural Oregon clinics. Discusses recruitment strategies, participant engagement, burdens on clinics, and more. Highlights lessons learned and recommendations for research design in similar studies.
Author(s): Randall Bluffstone, Ma Chan, Cort Cox, et al.
Citation: Forests, 16(5)
Date: 05/2025
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Describes the design, implementation, and results of a "nature prescription" program for patients with chronic health conditions in 2 rural Oregon clinics. Discusses recruitment strategies, participant engagement, burdens on clinics, and more. Highlights lessons learned and recommendations for research design in similar studies.
Author(s): Randall Bluffstone, Ma Chan, Cort Cox, et al.
Citation: Forests, 16(5)
Date: 05/2025
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America's Health Rankings Senior Report 2025
Provides a national and state-by-state overview of population health for older adults across 55 measures using data from 24 unique data sources. Covers social and economic factors, physical environment, clinical care, behaviors, and health outcomes. Highlights health disparities, including rural-urban disparities, across five categories of health. Includes state-by-state summaries and county-level maps for risk of social isolation by state.
Additional links: Executive Brief, Risk of Social Isolation County-Level Maps, State Summaries
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
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Provides a national and state-by-state overview of population health for older adults across 55 measures using data from 24 unique data sources. Covers social and economic factors, physical environment, clinical care, behaviors, and health outcomes. Highlights health disparities, including rural-urban disparities, across five categories of health. Includes state-by-state summaries and county-level maps for risk of social isolation by state.
Additional links: Executive Brief, Risk of Social Isolation County-Level Maps, State Summaries
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
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O the Places Rural Children Will Go…to Get Physical Activity: A Cross Sectional Analysis
Examines locations in which children engage in either moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) or sedentary time in the rural Midwest. Utilizes data from 44 participants who wore an activity tracker over a 7-day period and discusses activity in locations labeled as home, home neighborhood, school, school neighborhood, or 'other'. Discusses health issues and access barriers for rural children related to overweight/obesity.
Author(s): Bethany Forseth, Jordan A. Carlson, Adrian Ortega, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 25, 1188
Date: 03/2025
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Examines locations in which children engage in either moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) or sedentary time in the rural Midwest. Utilizes data from 44 participants who wore an activity tracker over a 7-day period and discusses activity in locations labeled as home, home neighborhood, school, school neighborhood, or 'other'. Discusses health issues and access barriers for rural children related to overweight/obesity.
Author(s): Bethany Forseth, Jordan A. Carlson, Adrian Ortega, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 25, 1188
Date: 03/2025
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Complete Streets: Policy Planning Process for Rural Communities
Discusses the planning for complete streets in rural areas, a type of accessible transportation infrastructure which allows for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians, therefore promoting safety as well as healthier and more active communities. Focuses on complete streets policy development, agency coordination, implementation, and monitoring.
Author(s): Krishna Kunapareddy
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Development Organizations
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Discusses the planning for complete streets in rural areas, a type of accessible transportation infrastructure which allows for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians, therefore promoting safety as well as healthier and more active communities. Focuses on complete streets policy development, agency coordination, implementation, and monitoring.
Author(s): Krishna Kunapareddy
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Development Organizations
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Cancer-Related Health Behaviors During the COVID 19 Pandemic in Geographically Diverse Samples Across the US
Examines cancer-related health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic via a June 2020-March 2021 survey of 21,911 people conducted through eight cancer centers. Includes demographic data, including rural-urban comparisons, on changes in physical activity, fruit and vegetable intake, smoking and tobacco use, and alcohol consumption.
Author(s): Breanna B. Greteman, Allison Cole, Mary E. Charlton, et al.
Citation: BMC Cancer, 25, 50
Date: 01/2025
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Examines cancer-related health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic via a June 2020-March 2021 survey of 21,911 people conducted through eight cancer centers. Includes demographic data, including rural-urban comparisons, on changes in physical activity, fruit and vegetable intake, smoking and tobacco use, and alcohol consumption.
Author(s): Breanna B. Greteman, Allison Cole, Mary E. Charlton, et al.
Citation: BMC Cancer, 25, 50
Date: 01/2025
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