Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Population health
Urban Versus Rural Differences in Services Requested, Received, and Interest Expressed among Informal Caregivers of Older U.S. Veterans
Results of a study on differences in access to, utilization of, and interest in home and community-based services (HCBS) for caregivers of older veterans in rural and urban communities. Bases findings on an online survey of caregivers of older veterans. Breaks down data by demographic factors of both veterans and their caregivers, veterans' care complexity, and by caregivers' access to services and interest in services to support the veterans under their care.
Author(s): Elizabeth S. Chamberlin, Steven D. Shirk, Victoria Ngo, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70218
Date: 08/2026
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Results of a study on differences in access to, utilization of, and interest in home and community-based services (HCBS) for caregivers of older veterans in rural and urban communities. Bases findings on an online survey of caregivers of older veterans. Breaks down data by demographic factors of both veterans and their caregivers, veterans' care complexity, and by caregivers' access to services and interest in services to support the veterans under their care.
Author(s): Elizabeth S. Chamberlin, Steven D. Shirk, Victoria Ngo, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70218
Date: 08/2026
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Choosing a Falls Prevention Program That Works for Your Community
Describes how to match a falls prevention program to community needs. Highlights evidence-based programs approved by the Administration for Community Living (ACL). Discusses rural considerations regarding training demands and delivery methods.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Council on Aging
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Describes how to match a falls prevention program to community needs. Highlights evidence-based programs approved by the Administration for Community Living (ACL). Discusses rural considerations regarding training demands and delivery methods.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Council on Aging
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Impact of Urban–Rural Residence on Treatment and Survival in Patients with Glioblastoma: A SEER-Based Study with External Validation
Analyzes how treatment and cancer-specific survival vary by rural or urban adults diagnosed with glioblastoma between 2000 and 2019. Utilizes National Cancer Institute SEER data.
Author(s): Changping Chen, Chang Liu, Xiaoyue Li, Chenbo Ouyang
Citation: Medicine, 105(34), e50325
Date: 08/2026
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Analyzes how treatment and cancer-specific survival vary by rural or urban adults diagnosed with glioblastoma between 2000 and 2019. Utilizes National Cancer Institute SEER data.
Author(s): Changping Chen, Chang Liu, Xiaoyue Li, Chenbo Ouyang
Citation: Medicine, 105(34), e50325
Date: 08/2026
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Rural–Urban Differences in Excessive Alcohol Use and Select Mental Health Conditions
Explores the differences in alcohol use by people with self-reported mental health conditions in rural and urban areas using 2021-2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data. Breaks down data by demographic markers, such as education level, employment, and health insurance status, among others. Compares alcohol use and mental health data by large urban, small urban, and rural areas.
Author(s): Taryn Farrell, Cassie Odahowski, Emma Boswell, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70209
Date: 08/2026
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Explores the differences in alcohol use by people with self-reported mental health conditions in rural and urban areas using 2021-2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data. Breaks down data by demographic markers, such as education level, employment, and health insurance status, among others. Compares alcohol use and mental health data by large urban, small urban, and rural areas.
Author(s): Taryn Farrell, Cassie Odahowski, Emma Boswell, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70209
Date: 08/2026
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State of Oral Health in America: Key Findings from 2026
Details the findings of a survey that aims to identify gaps in dental coverage, barriers to care, and areas that have worse overall oral health outcomes across the country. Compares metro and nonmetro areas by dental insurance coverage, adult dental visits, and overall oral health.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
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Details the findings of a survey that aims to identify gaps in dental coverage, barriers to care, and areas that have worse overall oral health outcomes across the country. Compares metro and nonmetro areas by dental insurance coverage, adult dental visits, and overall oral health.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
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Lung Cancer Screening Access and Cancer Stage at Diagnosis Among American Indian and White Patients
Examines the association between geographic access to low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening facilities and stage at diagnosis among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) and non-Hispanic White (NHW) adults in North Carolina. Utilizes 2016-2020 cancer registry and health insurance claims data to analyze 18,154 lung cancer patients according to distance to nearest LDCT, sociodemographic variables, and geography.
Author(s): Bradford E. Jackson, Madison Uhrin, Stephanie B. Wheeler, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70207
Date: 08/2026
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Examines the association between geographic access to low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening facilities and stage at diagnosis among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) and non-Hispanic White (NHW) adults in North Carolina. Utilizes 2016-2020 cancer registry and health insurance claims data to analyze 18,154 lung cancer patients according to distance to nearest LDCT, sociodemographic variables, and geography.
Author(s): Bradford E. Jackson, Madison Uhrin, Stephanie B. Wheeler, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70207
Date: 08/2026
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Health Outcomes in Rural America: A Prevention-to-Crisis View on Determinants of Health, Chronic Diseases, and Economic Consequences
Presents findings from a June 2026 symposium discussing factors behind health disparities in rural areas, the connection between health and economic opportunity, and possible avenues for improving healthcare outcomes for rural residents.
Author(s): Anthony F. Pipa, Brent Orrell, Adam Aley, Madeline Tong
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Brookings-AEI Commission on U.S. Rural Prosperity, The Brookings Institution
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Presents findings from a June 2026 symposium discussing factors behind health disparities in rural areas, the connection between health and economic opportunity, and possible avenues for improving healthcare outcomes for rural residents.
Author(s): Anthony F. Pipa, Brent Orrell, Adam Aley, Madeline Tong
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Brookings-AEI Commission on U.S. Rural Prosperity, The Brookings Institution
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Five Milestones to Addressing Rural Veteran Care Coordination, Care Management, and Case Management Needs: An Integrated Case Management Practice Framework
Explores the implementation of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Care Coordination and Integrated Case Management (CCICM) program into rural facilities. Highlights the goals of the CCICM program and outlines the challenges of implementing it in rural areas. Breaks down the implementation process into five milestones – leadership awareness, facility readiness, preparing to implement, systems and clinical integration, and establishment of a governance structure.
Author(s): Christine Melillo, Heidi Sjoberg, Marcie Lee, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70190
Date: 08/2026
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Explores the implementation of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Care Coordination and Integrated Case Management (CCICM) program into rural facilities. Highlights the goals of the CCICM program and outlines the challenges of implementing it in rural areas. Breaks down the implementation process into five milestones – leadership awareness, facility readiness, preparing to implement, systems and clinical integration, and establishment of a governance structure.
Author(s): Christine Melillo, Heidi Sjoberg, Marcie Lee, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70190
Date: 08/2026
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Associations Between Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Rurality With New Diagnoses of Atrial Fibrillation
Examines how new diagnoses of atrial fibrillation vary by socioeconomic status and rurality, using 2021-2022 data of 369,619 patients at a Midwestern health system.
Author(s): Jonathan A. Handler, J. Rebecca Mills, Dale L. Smith, et al.
Citation: Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 37(3), 1070-1088
Date: 08/2026
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Examines how new diagnoses of atrial fibrillation vary by socioeconomic status and rurality, using 2021-2022 data of 369,619 patients at a Midwestern health system.
Author(s): Jonathan A. Handler, J. Rebecca Mills, Dale L. Smith, et al.
Citation: Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 37(3), 1070-1088
Date: 08/2026
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Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the U.S. 2026
Reports on maternal healthcare access and provides data on maternity care deserts, distribution of OB providers, and travel time to maternity care, including color-coded, county-level maps. Includes rural versus urban data comparisons of maternal health workforce availability, travel distance to care, and labor and delivery unit closures, and discusses efforts to address rural shortages, including the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: March of Dimes
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Reports on maternal healthcare access and provides data on maternity care deserts, distribution of OB providers, and travel time to maternity care, including color-coded, county-level maps. Includes rural versus urban data comparisons of maternal health workforce availability, travel distance to care, and labor and delivery unit closures, and discusses efforts to address rural shortages, including the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: March of Dimes
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