Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Populations
Overcoming Geographic Barriers: Enhancing Pediatric Subspecialty Access for Rural Families
Presents a case study of a rural family facing continued geographic challenges to accessing specialty care for their infant's histiocytic syndrome. Identifies individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy-level challenges and suggests policy approaches to address rural access disparities.
Author(s): Preston Simmons, Leah Beck, Eleanor Young, Laura Brower, Meghan Fanta
Citation: Hospital Pediatrics, e2024008150
Date: 02/2026
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Presents a case study of a rural family facing continued geographic challenges to accessing specialty care for their infant's histiocytic syndrome. Identifies individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy-level challenges and suggests policy approaches to address rural access disparities.
Author(s): Preston Simmons, Leah Beck, Eleanor Young, Laura Brower, Meghan Fanta
Citation: Hospital Pediatrics, e2024008150
Date: 02/2026
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Maternal Health Workforce Expansion and Local Childbirths
Results of a study to determine whether the National Health Service Corps's support of clinicians to work in Health Professional Shortage Areas has resulted in improved access to local childbirth care. Features statistics with breakdowns by rural and urban counties.
Author(s): Yanlei Ma, Olesya Baker, Fang Zhang, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(2), e2556775
Date: 02/2026
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Results of a study to determine whether the National Health Service Corps's support of clinicians to work in Health Professional Shortage Areas has resulted in improved access to local childbirth care. Features statistics with breakdowns by rural and urban counties.
Author(s): Yanlei Ma, Olesya Baker, Fang Zhang, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(2), e2556775
Date: 02/2026
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Birth Defects Surveillance: New Mexico 2015-2024
Reports on demographic differences and trends in birth defects among children born in New Mexico using 2015-20204 New Mexico Birth Defects Prevention and Surveillance System (NMBDPASS) data. For data comparisons by level of rurality, see pages 15-17.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: New Mexico Department of Health
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Reports on demographic differences and trends in birth defects among children born in New Mexico using 2015-20204 New Mexico Birth Defects Prevention and Surveillance System (NMBDPASS) data. For data comparisons by level of rurality, see pages 15-17.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: New Mexico Department of Health
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2022 Indiana Physician Assistant Health Workforce Data Report
Provides information on the 2022 physician assistant (PA) workforce in Indiana. Includes data on actively practicing PAs; PA demographics, education, and practice characteristics; populations served; workforce demand; and county-level geographic distribution.
Additional links: Brief, Workforce Report
Author(s): Yan Ge, Sierra Vaughn
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Bowen Center for Health Workforce Research and Policy
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Provides information on the 2022 physician assistant (PA) workforce in Indiana. Includes data on actively practicing PAs; PA demographics, education, and practice characteristics; populations served; workforce demand; and county-level geographic distribution.
Additional links: Brief, Workforce Report
Author(s): Yan Ge, Sierra Vaughn
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Bowen Center for Health Workforce Research and Policy
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A Multi-Level Intervention to Address Childhood Obesity in Rural Hispanic Communities
Provides results from the Together We STRIDE study, a multi-level, community-based pediatric obesity intervention for Hispanic elementary school students and their families in Washington State's Yakima County.
Author(s): Linda K. Ko, Eileen Rillamas-Sun, Mario Kratz, et al.
Citation: Obesity Science and Practice, 12(1), e70116
Date: 01/2026
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Provides results from the Together We STRIDE study, a multi-level, community-based pediatric obesity intervention for Hispanic elementary school students and their families in Washington State's Yakima County.
Author(s): Linda K. Ko, Eileen Rillamas-Sun, Mario Kratz, et al.
Citation: Obesity Science and Practice, 12(1), e70116
Date: 01/2026
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Bridging the Gap: Tackling General and HPV Vaccine Hesitancy in Rural and Low-Vaccination Areas to Improve HPV Vaccine Uptake
Examines HPV vaccine uptake and hesitancy among parents of children aged 9-17 living in rural Virginia. Utilizes survey data from 249 parents and analyzes their perspectives on vaccine hesitancy, safety, efficacy, and more.
Author(s): Shillpa Naavaal, Joseph Boyle, Tegwyn Brickhouse, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 13
Date: 01/2026
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Examines HPV vaccine uptake and hesitancy among parents of children aged 9-17 living in rural Virginia. Utilizes survey data from 249 parents and analyzes their perspectives on vaccine hesitancy, safety, efficacy, and more.
Author(s): Shillpa Naavaal, Joseph Boyle, Tegwyn Brickhouse, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 13
Date: 01/2026
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The VA Rural Interprofessional Faculty Development Initiative: A Qualitative Evaluation Guided by the RE-AIM Framework
Discusses the design, implementation, and outcomes of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rural Interprofessional Faculty Development Initiative (RIFDI) via mid-program, program end, and post-program interview excerpts and survey data of RIFDI participants. Details impacts of RIFDI on rural clinician-educators and broader rural health workforce recruitment and retention.
Author(s): Sarah Keithly, Paige Perry, Erica J. Ho, et al.
Citation: BMC Medical Education, 26, 215
Date: 01/2026
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Discusses the design, implementation, and outcomes of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rural Interprofessional Faculty Development Initiative (RIFDI) via mid-program, program end, and post-program interview excerpts and survey data of RIFDI participants. Details impacts of RIFDI on rural clinician-educators and broader rural health workforce recruitment and retention.
Author(s): Sarah Keithly, Paige Perry, Erica J. Ho, et al.
Citation: BMC Medical Education, 26, 215
Date: 01/2026
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Snapshot of Rural Health in Colorado, 2026
Provides an overview of rural health in Colorado. Includes data and statistics on a variety of indicators, such as education, poverty, rural economy, healthcare coverage and access, rural health information technology, behavioral health, oral health, and workforce shortages. Includes five regional snapshots from around the state that are free to download with name and organization affiliation.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Colorado Rural Health Center
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Provides an overview of rural health in Colorado. Includes data and statistics on a variety of indicators, such as education, poverty, rural economy, healthcare coverage and access, rural health information technology, behavioral health, oral health, and workforce shortages. Includes five regional snapshots from around the state that are free to download with name and organization affiliation.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Colorado Rural Health Center
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The North Central Quality Childcare Network: Innovative Approaches to Growing Quality Childcare
A recorded webinar that discusses the impact of childcare shortages on local economies. Examines the North Central Quality Childcare (NCQC) Network and its impact on promoting quality child care in rural North Central Region communities. Transcript available below description.
Author(s): Amy Napoli, Courtney Aldrich, Rae Baker, Aileen Garcia, Kelsie Muller
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
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A recorded webinar that discusses the impact of childcare shortages on local economies. Examines the North Central Quality Childcare (NCQC) Network and its impact on promoting quality child care in rural North Central Region communities. Transcript available below description.
Author(s): Amy Napoli, Courtney Aldrich, Rae Baker, Aileen Garcia, Kelsie Muller
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
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Building Regional Strength: A Call to Action: Four Principles for Supporting Rural Development Hubs
Discusses the importance of the Rural Development Hub model and details effective strategies for governments, philanthropies, and rural development practitioners to engage effectively with Rural Development Hub funding, collaboration, and technical support. Includes information relevant to rural and tribal health foundations and healthcare providers.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Aspen Institute
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Discusses the importance of the Rural Development Hub model and details effective strategies for governments, philanthropies, and rural development practitioners to engage effectively with Rural Development Hub funding, collaboration, and technical support. Includes information relevant to rural and tribal health foundations and healthcare providers.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Aspen Institute
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