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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Populations

Payment Source Shift for Surgical Care Among Veterans Enrolled in Medicare Advantage Plans
Examines the likelihood of veterans enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to shift payments for inpatient surgical care from MA to the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Analyzes 54,754 inpatient surgeries of VHA enrollees to observe payment trends, with data broken down by demographics, insurance characteristics, region, and rurality.
Author(s): Winta T. Mehtsun, Yanlei Ma, Ellen Latsko, et al.
Citation: JAMA Health Forum, 6(6)
Date: 06/2025
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Preventing Medical Debt among Rural Residents: Example Programs from Hospitals in Minnesota and Montana
Highlights the ways some rural hospitals are working to reduce medical debt for their patients. Presents a number of strategies from hospitals in Minnesota and Montana that aim to reduce patient medical debts through financial assistance programs and cost-cutting measures. Features case-studies reviewing the structure of each hospital's debt reduction efforts.
Author(s): Katie Rydberg, Sushma Shankar, Mariana Tuttle, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Logistic and Time Burdens Reported by Gynecologic and Breast Cancer Survivors
Examines logistic and time burdens of cancer care in breast and gynecologic cancer survivors. Analyzes survey feedback from 224 participants related to travel time, wait time, and trips to the cancer center, with data breakdowns according to patient's employment, education, cancer type and treatment status, dependent status, income, and rural versus urban residence. Discusses the impact of cancer care on time for other activities.
Author(s): Allison C. Dona, Aisha Ambo, Patricia Jewett, et al.
Citation: BMC Women's Health, 25, 273
Date: 06/2025
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Safety Leadership Training: Implementation and Effectiveness Evaluation in the Dairy Farm Industry
Highlights a study on the efficacy of evidence-based safety leadership training for dairy farm supervisors at improving safety measures on the farm. Breaks down data by safety hazards, workplace conflicts, and training satisfaction among supervisors.
Author(s): David I. Douphrate, Anabel Rodriguez, Pete Kines, et al.
Citation: Workplace Health & Safety, 73(6), 310-319
Date: 06/2025
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Data Sharing Lessons from Alaska: Improving a State's Process for Disclosing Data for Public Health Purposes to Tribal Public Health Organizations
Discusses data sharing agreements between Tribal-Serving Organizations and other state or local public health agencies. Examines the process of collaboration between the Alaska Division of Public Health (DPH) and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC), with a focus on overcoming barriers, working through legal considerations, and lessons learned.
Author(s): Chris Alibrandi O'Connor
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
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Adolescent and Teenage Pregnancy Report Kansas, 2023
Summarizes research examining teen pregnancy in Kansas from 2019-2023. Includes rural/urban comparisons and county-level information on pregnancy and birth rates, with data broken down by age and year.
Author(s): Janet Stanek, Kay Haug, Cathryn Savage, et al.
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: Kansas Department of Health and Environment
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Annual Insurance Update 2025: Health Insurance in Kansas
Reports on health insurance coverage across Kansas and nationwide, including 2009-2023 trends in coverage. Presents 2022 county-level data on uninsured rates by age group and urban/rural classification, as well as Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollment by county.
Author(s): Angela S. Wu, Kaci Cink, Viktoria Sterkhova, et al.
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: Kansas Health Institute
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Maryland Hunger Profiles
Provides state- and county-level data on age of population, median household income, childhood and older adult poverty levels, and food program usage in Maryland. Discusses strategies to end hunger in the state.
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: Maryland Hunger Solutions
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National Elder Abuse Victim Services Needs Assessment
A needs assessment investigating services available to older adults who have experienced abuse, gaps in those services, barriers in offering and accessing services, and resources needed for elder justice professionals. Offers recommendations based on assessment findings. Discusses rural throughout.
Author(s): Alana M. Henninger, Christine Doelger, Rachel Castellano, et al.
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organizations: ICF, U.S. Department of Justice
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NCFH National Pulse: H5N1 Among Animal Production Workers
Report details the findings of a survey of farmworker-serving organizations on H5N1, or avian influenza outbreaks across the country. Discusses worker exposure to and barriers to outreach, prevention, and healthcare.
Additional links: En Español
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Farmworker Health
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