Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Population health
Frequent Police Contact and Nonfatal Overdose among People Who Use Drugs in Rural Appalachia
Explores the relationship between non-fatal overdoses and frequent stop-and-search contact with the police for rural people who use drugs (PWUD) in Kentucky. Breaks down data by participant demographic measures, such as age, sex, housing stability, frequency of police stops, and drug use, among other measures.
Author(s): Javier A. Cepeda, Talia Loeb, Zach R. Salazar, et al.
Citation: Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 284, 113188
Date: 07/2026
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Explores the relationship between non-fatal overdoses and frequent stop-and-search contact with the police for rural people who use drugs (PWUD) in Kentucky. Breaks down data by participant demographic measures, such as age, sex, housing stability, frequency of police stops, and drug use, among other measures.
Author(s): Javier A. Cepeda, Talia Loeb, Zach R. Salazar, et al.
Citation: Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 284, 113188
Date: 07/2026
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Exploring Associations Between Well-Being, Mental Distress, and Five Dimensions of Social Capital in Rural Georgia
Explores the role social capital plays in supporting mental health and well-being in rural communities. Bases findings on surveys collected from residents of 6 rural counties in Georgia. Breaks down findings by rates of mental health and well-being by dimension of social capital: trust, diversity of interactions, reciprocity, civic engagement, and voting.
Author(s): Alexis Joanna Smith, Lauren M Bigger, Robin E McGee, et al.
Citation: Family and Community Health, 49(3), 192-196
Date: 07/2026
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Explores the role social capital plays in supporting mental health and well-being in rural communities. Bases findings on surveys collected from residents of 6 rural counties in Georgia. Breaks down findings by rates of mental health and well-being by dimension of social capital: trust, diversity of interactions, reciprocity, civic engagement, and voting.
Author(s): Alexis Joanna Smith, Lauren M Bigger, Robin E McGee, et al.
Citation: Family and Community Health, 49(3), 192-196
Date: 07/2026
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Factors Influencing Rural Hospitals to Participate and Remain in Accountable Care Organizations
Examines factors that impact rural hospital participation in Medicare and accountable care organization (ACO) models. Utilizes interview feedback from rural hospital executives regarding ACO participation and discusses themes such as financial incentives, value-based reimbursement, population health, healthcare quality, and more.
Author(s): Emily J. Lawton, Jenah McCarty, Thomas E. Vaughn, Fred Ullrich, Keith J. Mueller
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70179
Date: 06/2026
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Examines factors that impact rural hospital participation in Medicare and accountable care organization (ACO) models. Utilizes interview feedback from rural hospital executives regarding ACO participation and discusses themes such as financial incentives, value-based reimbursement, population health, healthcare quality, and more.
Author(s): Emily J. Lawton, Jenah McCarty, Thomas E. Vaughn, Fred Ullrich, Keith J. Mueller
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70179
Date: 06/2026
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Association Between Well-Being and Occupational Class in Small Businesses in the Rural United States
Examines mental health, stress, productivity, and more across different occupational roles in the rural United States. Utilizes 2024 survey data from 1,910 employees and analyzes mental health according to blue-collar versus white-collar occupation, demographics, and mental health condition.
Author(s): Laxmi D. Adhikari, Sampada Wagle, Bhagyashree Katare
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70172
Date: 06/2026
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Examines mental health, stress, productivity, and more across different occupational roles in the rural United States. Utilizes 2024 survey data from 1,910 employees and analyzes mental health according to blue-collar versus white-collar occupation, demographics, and mental health condition.
Author(s): Laxmi D. Adhikari, Sampada Wagle, Bhagyashree Katare
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70172
Date: 06/2026
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2026 Kids Count Data Book: State Trends in Child Well-Being
Reports on the trends in overall child wellness, economic well-being, education, health, and family and community support for children nationwide. Includes state-by-state comparisons for each category.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Annie E. Casey Foundation
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Reports on the trends in overall child wellness, economic well-being, education, health, and family and community support for children nationwide. Includes state-by-state comparisons for each category.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Annie E. Casey Foundation
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Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services Rebalancing Is Concentrated in Large Urban Areas
Compares rural and urban utilization of home and community-based services among Medicaid long-term services and supports users, using 2022 Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System data sourced through an ATI Advisory LTSS user dashboard. Analyzes rural-urban disparities in access by level of rurality and by state.
Author(s): Emmaline Keesee, Laura M. Keohane
Citation: The Journal of the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association, 27(6), 106208
Date: 06/2026
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Compares rural and urban utilization of home and community-based services among Medicaid long-term services and supports users, using 2022 Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System data sourced through an ATI Advisory LTSS user dashboard. Analyzes rural-urban disparities in access by level of rurality and by state.
Author(s): Emmaline Keesee, Laura M. Keohane
Citation: The Journal of the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association, 27(6), 106208
Date: 06/2026
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Endocrine-Disrupting Pesticides and Breast Cancer Incidence in the United States: An Ecological Analysis
Examines associations between endocrine-disrupting pesticide usage and breast cancer incidence at the county level, using 2001-2015 U.S. Geological Survey Pesticide National Synthesis Project and 2016-2020 NCI State Cancer Profiles data. Includes rural-urban data comparisons.
Author(s): Harish Neelam, Furqan Irfan, Robert Wahl, Kelly A. Hirko
Citation: Cancer Causes & Control, 37, 104
Date: 06/2026
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Examines associations between endocrine-disrupting pesticide usage and breast cancer incidence at the county level, using 2001-2015 U.S. Geological Survey Pesticide National Synthesis Project and 2016-2020 NCI State Cancer Profiles data. Includes rural-urban data comparisons.
Author(s): Harish Neelam, Furqan Irfan, Robert Wahl, Kelly A. Hirko
Citation: Cancer Causes & Control, 37, 104
Date: 06/2026
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Pain in the Nation 2026: The Epidemics of Alcohol, Drug, and Suicide Deaths
Report focuses on alcohol, drug, and mortality statistics and trends, with a special feature on suicide and well-being in the United States. Includes data on substance use and mortality, with U.S. maps showing overdose and suicide rates, breakdowns according to metro versus nonmetro location, and state-by-state statistical trends. Provides policy recommendations to address substance use and offers examples from rural areas.
Author(s): Molly Warren, Lauren Battle
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Trust for America's Health
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Report focuses on alcohol, drug, and mortality statistics and trends, with a special feature on suicide and well-being in the United States. Includes data on substance use and mortality, with U.S. maps showing overdose and suicide rates, breakdowns according to metro versus nonmetro location, and state-by-state statistical trends. Provides policy recommendations to address substance use and offers examples from rural areas.
Author(s): Molly Warren, Lauren Battle
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Trust for America's Health
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Wisconsin State Health Assessment 2025
Provides an overview of population health in Wisconsin, focusing on demographics, social determinants of health, health behaviors, health outcomes, and community health infrastructure. Includes rural versus urban and county-level data points and discusses key health issues in Wisconsin.
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Wisconsin Department of Health Services
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Provides an overview of population health in Wisconsin, focusing on demographics, social determinants of health, health behaviors, health outcomes, and community health infrastructure. Includes rural versus urban and county-level data points and discusses key health issues in Wisconsin.
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Wisconsin Department of Health Services
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Comparing Patient and Provider Perspectives on a Rural, Multilevel, Community-Engaged Food Is Medicine Intervention
Compares perspectives of 25 low-income patients with chronic disease risk and 19 healthcare providers in the rural Mississippi Delta on potential impacts of a food is medicine (FIM) program. Discusses themes regarding health status improvement, improvements to food insecurity, diet-related disease management and healthcare delivery, implementation barriers, and program adherence.
Author(s): Danielle M. Krobath, Vanessa Nicholson-Robinson, Yarisbel Melo Herrera, et al.
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(5)
Date: 05/2026
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Compares perspectives of 25 low-income patients with chronic disease risk and 19 healthcare providers in the rural Mississippi Delta on potential impacts of a food is medicine (FIM) program. Discusses themes regarding health status improvement, improvements to food insecurity, diet-related disease management and healthcare delivery, implementation barriers, and program adherence.
Author(s): Danielle M. Krobath, Vanessa Nicholson-Robinson, Yarisbel Melo Herrera, et al.
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(5)
Date: 05/2026
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