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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Populations

Medicaid Plays A Key Role for Maternal and Infant Health in Rural Communities
Explores the role of Medicaid in covering women of childbearing age - 19 through 44 years old - living in small towns and rural areas. Presents data from the 2023 U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) on the percentage of women of childbearing age in small towns and rural areas have Medicaid coverage by state and compares the share of Medicaid coverage to similar women in metropolitan counties. Describes the percentage of women of childbearing age with Medicaid coverage as a share of non-elderly adults with Medicaid across Medicaid expansion states and non-expansion states. Highlights the 20 small towns and rural areas with the highest share of women of childbearing age covered by Medicaid.
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: Georgetown University Health Policy Institute
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School-Based Health Centers and School Attendance in Rural Areas
Examines the relationship between the availability of School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) and student absenteeism in rural areas. Analyzes 66,303 students from kindergarten to 12th grade for absenteeism in districts with a SBHC and those without a SBHC.
Author(s): Chris Kjolhede, Wendy M. Brunner, John W. Sipple
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(5)
Date: 05/2025
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Nonfatal Injury Emergency Department Visits and Inpatient Hospitalizations Among Persons Under Age 65 With an Intellectual and Developmental Disability or Deaf or Hard of Hearing Disability
Analyzes disparities in emergency department and inpatient hospitalization among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), people who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH), and those without IDD or DHH. Utilizes Kentucky ED and inpatient discharge data from 2019 to 2023. Breaks down data by demographic category, including metropolitan or nonmetropolitan dwelling.
Author(s): Terry L. Bunn, Jacqueline Seals, Dana Quesinberry, Alaina Murphy, Julia F. Costich
Citation: Injury Epidemiology, 12, 27
Date: 05/2025
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Continuity of Pain Clinic Care Among Rural and Urban Veterans
Presents a study exploring the differences in continuity of pain care through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for rural and urban veterans. Breaks down data by age, sex, pain severity, and behavioral health disorders, among other measures.
Author(s): Katherine Hadlandsmyth, Rena E. Courtney, Jenna L. Adamowicz, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2), e70031
Date: 05/2025
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Delaying Screening Until Covered? Changes in Lung Cancer Screening at the Age of Nearly-Universal Medicare Insurance
Examines the impact of first-time screening of lung cancer at age 65, the age of nearly universal Medicare insurance coverage. Utilizes 2015-2020 American College of Radiology's Lung Cancer Screening Registry data to analyze differences in screening rates between ages 60-64 and 65-69. Includes additional data breakdowns such as patient demographics, smoking behaviors, eligibility for screening, and rural versus non-rural patient location.
Author(s): Marcelo C. Perraillon, Adam Warren, Lenka Goldman, Jamie L. Studts, Rebecca M. Myerson
Citation: Health Services Research
Date: 05/2025
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Longitudinal Lipidomic Profile of Subclinical Peripheral Artery Disease in American Indians: The Strong Heart Family Study
Examines associations between lipid species and peripheral artery disease (PAD) among 1,886 American Indian members of tribal communities who participated in the Strong Heart Family Study. Provides data on the connection between specific lipid species and PAD, coronary heart disease, and other clinical factors.
Author(s): Mingjing Chen, Guanhong Miao, Mary J. Roman, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22, 240220
Date: 05/2025
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Risks of Adverse Health Outcomes among Older Rural Prostate Cancer Survivors in the SEER-Medicare Data
Analyzes health outcomes and disparities in prostate cancer survivors living in rural areas. Compares 37,126 rural and 109,176 urban prostate cancer survivors over the age of 66 to provide data breakdowns according to sociodemographics, health status and behaviors, cancer characteristics, type of treatment, adverse health outcomes, and risk of death.
Author(s): Chun-Pin Chang (Esther), Daren Huang, Shane Lloyd, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 05/2025
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Serving Beyond Summer School: Reaching More Kids with Rural Summer Meals
A recorded webinar that provides 3 program examples of non-congregate summer meal service in rural areas. Discusses program details such as operations, distribution, scheduling, menu, marketing, and overcoming challenges. Transcript available below description.
Additional links: Slide Deck
Author(s): Lucretia Hertzock, Heidi Ottaway, Megan Adams
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: No Kid Hungry
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Evaluating Spoke Facilitation Costs of Implementing TelePain in the Veterans Health Administration
Examines TelePain and hub-and-spoke healthcare models to treat pain in U.S. veterans. Discusses implementation costs, staffing, patients reached, and potential cost barriers of the model in rural and small clinics.
Author(s): Alexandra L. Rose, Shaina Coogan, Jess Indresano, Steven B. Zeliadt, Jessica A. Chen
Citation: Implementation Science Communications, 6, 51
Date: 05/2025
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National Survey of Lung Cancer Screening Eligibility in United States Veterans
Explores a study evaluating the portion of veterans eligible and screened for lung cancer in rural and urban areas. Discusses the differences in screening and mortality rates between rural and urban areas. Breaks down data by age, family cancer history, and smoking history, among other factors.
Author(s): Jennifer A. Lewis, Allison Stranick, Jacquelyn Pennings, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 68(5), 886-895
Date: 05/2025
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