Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Population health
Rural Health Disadvantages in the United States: Evidence from Nationally Representative Data
Describes rural and urban mortality rate disparities since the 1990s and then examines National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 1999, 2000, 2017, and 2020 to identify both individual and place-based factors associated with health outcomes within large metropolitan, small/medium metropolitan, and nonmetropolitan areas. Discusses disparities in the working adult population and how county characteristics contribute to rural and urban gaps.
Author(s): Brandon Restrepo, Elizabeth A. Dobis, Sarah A. Low, Kelsey L. Thomas
Citation: Economics & Human Biology, 62
Date: 09/2026
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Describes rural and urban mortality rate disparities since the 1990s and then examines National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 1999, 2000, 2017, and 2020 to identify both individual and place-based factors associated with health outcomes within large metropolitan, small/medium metropolitan, and nonmetropolitan areas. Discusses disparities in the working adult population and how county characteristics contribute to rural and urban gaps.
Author(s): Brandon Restrepo, Elizabeth A. Dobis, Sarah A. Low, Kelsey L. Thomas
Citation: Economics & Human Biology, 62
Date: 09/2026
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Kansas RHT Program Annual Report - Year 1
Reports on the first year of Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) in Kansas. Details the state policy actions, uses of funds, recipients of funds, and progress reports for each program funded by RHTP.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Arkansas Department of Health
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Reports on the first year of Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) in Kansas. Details the state policy actions, uses of funds, recipients of funds, and progress reports for each program funded by RHTP.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Arkansas Department of Health
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Rural/Urban Disparities in Utilization of Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) to the Fee-for-Service Medicare Population, 2017-2024
Analyzes disparities in Diabetes Self-Management Training use among Medicare beneficiaries, using data from 2017-2024. Expands on a 2020 study to assess whether disparities have persisted, widened, or narrowed over time, and to examine broader trends in service availability, provider participation, and beneficiary use. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Author(s): Wanying Zhu, Aleksandr Taraskin, Jeffery Talbert
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
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Analyzes disparities in Diabetes Self-Management Training use among Medicare beneficiaries, using data from 2017-2024. Expands on a 2020 study to assess whether disparities have persisted, widened, or narrowed over time, and to examine broader trends in service availability, provider participation, and beneficiary use. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Author(s): Wanying Zhu, Aleksandr Taraskin, Jeffery Talbert
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
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Non-Metropolitan vs. Metropolitan Variations in Alcohol, Illicit Drug, and Prescription Therapeutic Drug Misuse
Reports on how alcohol use, illicit drug use, and the use of opioid and non-opioid prescription drugs vary by rural or urban area using 2023-2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data.
Author(s): Tyrone F. Borders
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
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Reports on how alcohol use, illicit drug use, and the use of opioid and non-opioid prescription drugs vary by rural or urban area using 2023-2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data.
Author(s): Tyrone F. Borders
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
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Substance Use in Nonmetropolitan Counties
Spotlight highlights selected substance use in nonmetropolitan counties by urbanization. Breaks down rates of alcohol use, marijuana use, and illicit drug use, among others, by urbanized, less urbanized, and rural nonmetro areas.
Citation: NSDUH Data Spotlight, 3(4)
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Spotlight highlights selected substance use in nonmetropolitan counties by urbanization. Breaks down rates of alcohol use, marijuana use, and illicit drug use, among others, by urbanized, less urbanized, and rural nonmetro areas.
Citation: NSDUH Data Spotlight, 3(4)
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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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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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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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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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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