Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Population health
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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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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Precision Oncology for Solid Tumor Malignancies in the Rural United States: A Scoping Review
Scoping review examining literature published between 2014 and 2026 on precision oncology service delivery, access, research, and health policy in the rural United States. Discusses topics related to rural and urban disparities, patient and provider perceptions, and implementation.
Author(s): Dena P. Rhinehart, Madelyn F. Klugman, Shuait Nair, et al.
Citation: JCO Oncology Advances, 3(3), e2600045
Date: 08/2026
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Scoping review examining literature published between 2014 and 2026 on precision oncology service delivery, access, research, and health policy in the rural United States. Discusses topics related to rural and urban disparities, patient and provider perceptions, and implementation.
Author(s): Dena P. Rhinehart, Madelyn F. Klugman, Shuait Nair, et al.
Citation: JCO Oncology Advances, 3(3), e2600045
Date: 08/2026
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Expansion of Access to Rheumatology Care for Rural Veterans: Program Development and Initial Feasibility of the National Tele-Rheumatology Program Using the RE-AIM Framework
Presents a study exploring the feasibility of the National Tele-Rheumatology Program (NTRP) hub-and-spoke model to expand access to rheumatology care for rural veterans. Discusses the program's design and implementation and evaluates outcomes based on surveys of veterans and staff interviews. Compares findings by rural and urban settings.
Author(s): Gabriela Schmajuk, Cherish R. Wilson, Catherine Nasrallah, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70198
Date: 08/2026
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Presents a study exploring the feasibility of the National Tele-Rheumatology Program (NTRP) hub-and-spoke model to expand access to rheumatology care for rural veterans. Discusses the program's design and implementation and evaluates outcomes based on surveys of veterans and staff interviews. Compares findings by rural and urban settings.
Author(s): Gabriela Schmajuk, Cherish R. Wilson, Catherine Nasrallah, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70198
Date: 08/2026
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Stories from the Field - Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being
Describes the 7 Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being framework: belonging, health and safety, housing, work and wealth, lifelong learning, thriving natural world, and transportation. Provides examples from health centers focused on these vital conditions, including rural examples such as the Agricultural Worker Health Program in South Carolina and CareVan in Kansas.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Community Health Centers
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Describes the 7 Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being framework: belonging, health and safety, housing, work and wealth, lifelong learning, thriving natural world, and transportation. Provides examples from health centers focused on these vital conditions, including rural examples such as the Agricultural Worker Health Program in South Carolina and CareVan in Kansas.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Community Health Centers
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Southward Expansion of Ixodes scapularis (Blacklegged) Tick Pathogens — Western North Carolina, November 2024–August 2025
Reports findings from community-based tick surveillance in Western North Carolina. Discusses the need to improve early diagnosis and reduce transmission of tickborne infections in southern Appalachia, a region where Lyme disease is emerging.
Author(s): Sean Sweeney, Ayla Bullock, Michael Reiskind, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 75(31), 398-402
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Reports findings from community-based tick surveillance in Western North Carolina. Discusses the need to improve early diagnosis and reduce transmission of tickborne infections in southern Appalachia, a region where Lyme disease is emerging.
Author(s): Sean Sweeney, Ayla Bullock, Michael Reiskind, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 75(31), 398-402
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Integrating Physical and Behavioral Health: Addressing Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders with Chronic Physical Illnesses
Report details the way physical and behavioral healthcare integration can support patients with co-occurring behavioral health disorders and chronic physical issues. Discusses the different levels of care integration, evidence-based approaches, and established models for care integration in different settings. Highlights a rural clinic-based telepsychiatry model in South Carolina.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Report details the way physical and behavioral healthcare integration can support patients with co-occurring behavioral health disorders and chronic physical issues. Discusses the different levels of care integration, evidence-based approaches, and established models for care integration in different settings. Highlights a rural clinic-based telepsychiatry model in South Carolina.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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