Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Population health
America's Health Rankings Annual Report 2025
Provides a national and state-by-state overview of population health by analyzing 99 measures drawn from 31 data sources to describe and rank health outcomes in the U.S. Analyzes and presents data on disparities by geography and demographic characteristics throughout. See the section titled, "Spotlight: Rural Communities," for information on trends in colorectal and breast cancer screening rates and physical inactivity of adults in rural areas between 2022 and 2024.
Additional links: Executive Brief
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
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Provides a national and state-by-state overview of population health by analyzing 99 measures drawn from 31 data sources to describe and rank health outcomes in the U.S. Analyzes and presents data on disparities by geography and demographic characteristics throughout. See the section titled, "Spotlight: Rural Communities," for information on trends in colorectal and breast cancer screening rates and physical inactivity of adults in rural areas between 2022 and 2024.
Additional links: Executive Brief
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
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A Web-Based Cancer Prevention Intervention for Rural Emerging Adults: Mixed Methods Development and Pilot-Testing Study
Presents results from a pilot study of a web-based cancer prevention intervention for rural emerging adults aged 18-26 years. Utilizes engagement and survey data to demonstrate how the use of Facebook posts focused on reducing cancer risk behaviors may influence health outcomes in rural populations.
Author(s): Echo L. Warner, Alishia Kinsey, Barbara J. Walkosz, et al.
Citation: Journal of Medical Internet Research, 28, e80803
Date: 01/2026
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Presents results from a pilot study of a web-based cancer prevention intervention for rural emerging adults aged 18-26 years. Utilizes engagement and survey data to demonstrate how the use of Facebook posts focused on reducing cancer risk behaviors may influence health outcomes in rural populations.
Author(s): Echo L. Warner, Alishia Kinsey, Barbara J. Walkosz, et al.
Citation: Journal of Medical Internet Research, 28, e80803
Date: 01/2026
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Telemedicine Utilization and Preventive Services Among a Rural Population
Compares 2,012,290 rural adults who used telemedicine between January 2019 and December 2023 to identify associations with subsequent preventive service use. Notes the potential impact of study findings on increasing preventive care utilization for rural residents. Discusses the impacts of COVID-19 and other demographic and health status factors on the data.
Author(s): Daniel Cullen, April M. Falconi, Carrie Levin, Geoffrey Crawford, Sarah Adkins Svoboda
Citation: The American Journal of Managed Care, 32(1)
Date: 01/2026
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Compares 2,012,290 rural adults who used telemedicine between January 2019 and December 2023 to identify associations with subsequent preventive service use. Notes the potential impact of study findings on increasing preventive care utilization for rural residents. Discusses the impacts of COVID-19 and other demographic and health status factors on the data.
Author(s): Daniel Cullen, April M. Falconi, Carrie Levin, Geoffrey Crawford, Sarah Adkins Svoboda
Citation: The American Journal of Managed Care, 32(1)
Date: 01/2026
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First-Year Rural Health Fund Awards Range From Less Than $100 Per Rural Resident in Ten States to More Than $500 in Eight
Describes the amounts awarded to each state for the first year of the Rural Health Transformation Program. Presents state-by-state data on award amount per rural resident.
Author(s): Zachary Levinson, Scott Hulver, Tricia Neuman
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Describes the amounts awarded to each state for the first year of the Rural Health Transformation Program. Presents state-by-state data on award amount per rural resident.
Author(s): Zachary Levinson, Scott Hulver, Tricia Neuman
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Health Concerns of Women in Agriculture in the Midwestern United States
Presents a study exploring the health and safety needs of women working as agricultural producers. Bases findings on a survey of 120 agricultural women in Nebraska. Explores concerns about zoonotic diseases, reproductive health concerns, musculoskeletal disorders, and mental health challenges, among other issues common to agricultural work.
Author(s): Cheryl L. Beseler, Megan Lutt, Alex Egbuchiem, Ellen G. Duysen
Citation: Journal of Agromedicine, 31, 11-19
Date: 01/2026
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Presents a study exploring the health and safety needs of women working as agricultural producers. Bases findings on a survey of 120 agricultural women in Nebraska. Explores concerns about zoonotic diseases, reproductive health concerns, musculoskeletal disorders, and mental health challenges, among other issues common to agricultural work.
Author(s): Cheryl L. Beseler, Megan Lutt, Alex Egbuchiem, Ellen G. Duysen
Citation: Journal of Agromedicine, 31, 11-19
Date: 01/2026
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Predictors of Inpatient RN Turnover in Rural and Urban VHA Hospitals
A study on the rates and associated factors of registered nursing (RN) workforce turnover in rural and urban Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals. Breaks down data by RN demographic factors, such as age, salary, and experience within the VHA, and hospital factors, such as average age, average base salary, and average number of units worked, among other factors.
Author(s): Katherine G. Bay, Chase S. Eck, Melissa K. Knox, et al.
Citation: Medical Care, 64(1S), S9-S17
Date: 01/2026
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A study on the rates and associated factors of registered nursing (RN) workforce turnover in rural and urban Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals. Breaks down data by RN demographic factors, such as age, salary, and experience within the VHA, and hospital factors, such as average age, average base salary, and average number of units worked, among other factors.
Author(s): Katherine G. Bay, Chase S. Eck, Melissa K. Knox, et al.
Citation: Medical Care, 64(1S), S9-S17
Date: 01/2026
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Associations Between Social Media Usage, Physical Activity, and Flourishing in Rural University Students
Results of a pilot study examining the correlation between social media usage, physical activity, and overall well-being and health among college students at a rural Appalachian university. Based on self-reported data collected from April-October 2024. .
Author(s): Anna Dysart, Minu Sara Thomas
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 7(4), 128-136
Date: 12/2025
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Results of a pilot study examining the correlation between social media usage, physical activity, and overall well-being and health among college students at a rural Appalachian university. Based on self-reported data collected from April-October 2024. .
Author(s): Anna Dysart, Minu Sara Thomas
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 7(4), 128-136
Date: 12/2025
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Geospatial Analysis of Breast Cancer Incidence, Mortality, and Access to Screening in Rural and Appalachian Virginia
Assesses differences in breast cancer rates and mortality between Appalachian and non-Appalachian counties, and rural and nonrural counties in Virginia. Also explores whether availability of mammography is associated with differences. Features county-level Virginia maps, and statistics with breakdowns by Virginia counties, rural counties, and nonrural counties.
Author(s): Jennifer Osher, Caleb Brown, Phillip Nichols, Tariq Ayubi, Jeremy Powers
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 7(4), 55-69
Date: 12/2025
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Assesses differences in breast cancer rates and mortality between Appalachian and non-Appalachian counties, and rural and nonrural counties in Virginia. Also explores whether availability of mammography is associated with differences. Features county-level Virginia maps, and statistics with breakdowns by Virginia counties, rural counties, and nonrural counties.
Author(s): Jennifer Osher, Caleb Brown, Phillip Nichols, Tariq Ayubi, Jeremy Powers
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 7(4), 55-69
Date: 12/2025
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Scoping Review of the Environmental and Human Health Effects of Rural Alaska Landfills
A scoping review that examines the public health impact of landfills in rural and tribal areas of Alaska. Analyzes landfill contaminants, exposures, and solid waste management on disease transmission, chemical exposure, and other health issues.
Author(s): Carlye Chaney, Anita Moore-Nall, Chad Albert, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(1), 45
Date: 12/2025
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A scoping review that examines the public health impact of landfills in rural and tribal areas of Alaska. Analyzes landfill contaminants, exposures, and solid waste management on disease transmission, chemical exposure, and other health issues.
Author(s): Carlye Chaney, Anita Moore-Nall, Chad Albert, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(1), 45
Date: 12/2025
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Engagement and Retention in HIV Care in Rural Southern U.S. Using an All-Payer Claims Database
Analyzes HIV care engagement and retention among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Arkansas, utilizing 2013-2017 Arkansas All-Payer Claims Database data. Includes data and discussion of HIV access disparities in Arkansas by rurality, sex, and other demographic variables.
Author(s): Jun Tao, Mofan Gu, S. Alexandra Marshall, et al.
Citation: PLOS ONE, 20(12), e0339520
Date: 12/2025
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Analyzes HIV care engagement and retention among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Arkansas, utilizing 2013-2017 Arkansas All-Payer Claims Database data. Includes data and discussion of HIV access disparities in Arkansas by rurality, sex, and other demographic variables.
Author(s): Jun Tao, Mofan Gu, S. Alexandra Marshall, et al.
Citation: PLOS ONE, 20(12), e0339520
Date: 12/2025
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