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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Population health

Prevalence of Meeting Youth Physical Activity Guidelines Across Income, Sex, Urbanicity, and Sport Participation: 2022–2023 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH)
Examines the prevalence of youth meeting physical activity guidelines by income, sex, rurality, and sports participation. Draws data from the National Survey of Children's Health from 2022-2023.
Author(s): Ashleigh Johnson
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(1), e70105
Date: 01/2026
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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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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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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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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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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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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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North Dakota Qualified Service Provider Hub Survey Report
Report features findings of a survey of qualified service providers (QSPs) in the state of North Dakota. Discusses findings from individual QSPs and agency QSPs and details information about clients served, services provided, and pay and benefits, including the rural differential rate, among other topics.
Author(s): Karen Bernhardt
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: North Dakota Qualified Service Provider Hub
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Personal Protective Equipment for Influenza A (H5N1) in High-Risk Farm Settings: Proceedings of a Workshop
Summarizes discussions from a workshop on H5N1 in farm settings. Includes information on transmission, best practices for personal protective equipment (PPE), PPE innovation, outreach regarding PPE use, and research needs on effectiveness of PPE for H5N1.
Additional links: Read Online
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Beyond the Battlefield: Restoring Connection for Missouri's Rural Veterans
Assesses health disparities among Missouri's rural veterans and discusses the need for coordinated, statewide action to address veterans' health needs. Highlights topics related to mental health, chronic health conditions, geographic limitations on access to care, broadband infrastructure, and more.
Author(s): Derek Landes, Libby Trammell, Kaitlyn Onanian
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Missouri Rural Health Association
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