Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Populations
Associations of Rurality, Child Opportunity, and Distance with Use of Pediatric Asthma Specialists
Examines the relationship among rurality, child opportunity index (COI), and drive time to a pediatric asthma specialist. Utilizes 2015-2021 Maine Health Data Organization All-Payer Claims Data to analyze 12,014 children with a pediatric asthma referral according to patient demographics and health status, drive time to a specialist, COI, and metro, micro, small town, or isolated small rural location. Discusses disparities in access to asthma specialty care for rural children.
Author(s): James Bohnhoff, Anya Cutler, Elizabeth A. Jacobs, Wanda Phipatanakul, Yvonne Jonk
Citation: The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 158(3), 751-757
Date: 09/2026
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Examines the relationship among rurality, child opportunity index (COI), and drive time to a pediatric asthma specialist. Utilizes 2015-2021 Maine Health Data Organization All-Payer Claims Data to analyze 12,014 children with a pediatric asthma referral according to patient demographics and health status, drive time to a specialist, COI, and metro, micro, small town, or isolated small rural location. Discusses disparities in access to asthma specialty care for rural children.
Author(s): James Bohnhoff, Anya Cutler, Elizabeth A. Jacobs, Wanda Phipatanakul, Yvonne Jonk
Citation: The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 158(3), 751-757
Date: 09/2026
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Using the Machine Learning Algorithm XGBoost to Understand the Correlates of Wearing Hearing Protection in Central States' Agricultural Producers
Examines correlates to the use of hearing protection among agricultural producers in seven states using data from the Farm and Ranch Health and Safety Survey collected in 2018, 2020, and 2023. Uses a machine learning algorithm to identify correlative factors to the use of hearing protection, such as sex, type of agricultural operation, and operator role, among others.
Author(s): Cheryl L. Beseler, Ellen G. Duysen, Risto H. Rautiainen
Citation: American Journal of Audiology, 35(3), 955-964
Date: 09/2026
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Examines correlates to the use of hearing protection among agricultural producers in seven states using data from the Farm and Ranch Health and Safety Survey collected in 2018, 2020, and 2023. Uses a machine learning algorithm to identify correlative factors to the use of hearing protection, such as sex, type of agricultural operation, and operator role, among others.
Author(s): Cheryl L. Beseler, Ellen G. Duysen, Risto H. Rautiainen
Citation: American Journal of Audiology, 35(3), 955-964
Date: 09/2026
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Exploring Potential Predictors and Mediators of Marijuana Use Among US Women: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach
Examines variables related to marijuana use among U.S. adult women who reported marijuana use in the last year. Utilizes 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data to analyze marijuana use with breakdowns according to sociodemographic variables, criminal history, binge drinking, and nonmetropolitan, small metropolitan, or large metropolitan county location.
Author(s): Elfreda Samman, Wah Wah Myint, Gabrielle Torres-Coley, Aishatu Yusuf
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23
Date: 09/2026
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Examines variables related to marijuana use among U.S. adult women who reported marijuana use in the last year. Utilizes 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data to analyze marijuana use with breakdowns according to sociodemographic variables, criminal history, binge drinking, and nonmetropolitan, small metropolitan, or large metropolitan county location.
Author(s): Elfreda Samman, Wah Wah Myint, Gabrielle Torres-Coley, Aishatu Yusuf
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23
Date: 09/2026
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Vaccination Coverage Among Adolescents Aged 13–17 Years — National Immunization Survey-Teen, United States, 2025
Reports on vaccination coverage among U.S. adolescents for ages 13 through 17. Includes nonmetro data on vaccination for the following vaccines: Tdap (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis), MenACWY (quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate), and HPV (human papillomavirus). Discusses potential reasons for differences in vaccination coverage for metro versus nonmetro locations.
Author(s): Cassandra Pingali, David Yankey, Laurie D. Elam-Evans, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 75(34), 530-538
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Reports on vaccination coverage among U.S. adolescents for ages 13 through 17. Includes nonmetro data on vaccination for the following vaccines: Tdap (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis), MenACWY (quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate), and HPV (human papillomavirus). Discusses potential reasons for differences in vaccination coverage for metro versus nonmetro locations.
Author(s): Cassandra Pingali, David Yankey, Laurie D. Elam-Evans, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 75(34), 530-538
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Migration and Aging Across the Rural-Urban Continuum
Examines migration and aging patterns from 1980 to 2020 across the rural-urban continuum. Covers age-specific net migration by decade, retirement-age and working adult migration, aging in place, and the relationship between housing, income, employment, and health on migration. Provides charts, graphs, and county-level U.S. maps depicting migration patterns.
Additional links: Report Summary
Author(s): Justin B. Winikoff, Richelle L. Winkler, John Cromartie, Katherine J. Curtis
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Examines migration and aging patterns from 1980 to 2020 across the rural-urban continuum. Covers age-specific net migration by decade, retirement-age and working adult migration, aging in place, and the relationship between housing, income, employment, and health on migration. Provides charts, graphs, and county-level U.S. maps depicting migration patterns.
Additional links: Report Summary
Author(s): Justin B. Winikoff, Richelle L. Winkler, John Cromartie, Katherine J. Curtis
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Correlates of Glycemic Status among American Indian Adults With Type 2 Diabetes in Rural Southeastern Oklahoma
Explores correlating factors associated with elevated glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), which is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes complications, in a tribal community in rural southeastern Oklahoma. Discusses the relationship between elevated HbA1c levels and type 2 diabetes. Bases findings on data pulled from electronic health records and breaks down patient data by age, sex, distance to nearest clinic, and number of primary care visits per year, among other factors.
Author(s): Tarah Nelson, Diana J. Wilkie, Yingwei Yao, et al.
Citation: Nursing Research, 75(5), 338-345
Date: 09/2026
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Explores correlating factors associated with elevated glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), which is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes complications, in a tribal community in rural southeastern Oklahoma. Discusses the relationship between elevated HbA1c levels and type 2 diabetes. Bases findings on data pulled from electronic health records and breaks down patient data by age, sex, distance to nearest clinic, and number of primary care visits per year, among other factors.
Author(s): Tarah Nelson, Diana J. Wilkie, Yingwei Yao, et al.
Citation: Nursing Research, 75(5), 338-345
Date: 09/2026
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Disparities in Timely Access to Postoperative Home Health Care and Functional Recovery After Joint Replacement by Rurality and Dual Eligibility
Results of a study examining the association of Medicare and Medicaid dual-eligible status and rural residence with prompt initiation of home health services and subsequent functional recovery, following hip and knee replacement among patients age 65 or older. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural residence.
Author(s): Amit Kumar, Jason Falvey, Deepak Adhikari, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 27(9), 106397
Date: 09/2026
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Results of a study examining the association of Medicare and Medicaid dual-eligible status and rural residence with prompt initiation of home health services and subsequent functional recovery, following hip and knee replacement among patients age 65 or older. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural residence.
Author(s): Amit Kumar, Jason Falvey, Deepak Adhikari, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 27(9), 106397
Date: 09/2026
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The Association Between School Physical Education Practices and School Level Socioeconomic Status
Examines the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and school physical education (PE) practices. Utilizes School Health Map and National Center for Education Statistics data to analyze high-SES, moderate-SES, and low-SES schools according to PE practices as well as location of city, suburb, town, or rural.
Author(s): Sam Biver, Ben D. Kern, Hans van der Mars, Enbal Shacham
Citation: Journal of School Health, 96(9), e70217
Date: 09/2026
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Examines the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and school physical education (PE) practices. Utilizes School Health Map and National Center for Education Statistics data to analyze high-SES, moderate-SES, and low-SES schools according to PE practices as well as location of city, suburb, town, or rural.
Author(s): Sam Biver, Ben D. Kern, Hans van der Mars, Enbal Shacham
Citation: Journal of School Health, 96(9), e70217
Date: 09/2026
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Association Between Transportation Access and Self-Rated Health among Older Adults with Disabilities
Analyzes the association between access to transportation and self-rated health for 257 community-dwelling older adults. Offers data on study participant characteristics by consistent and inconsistent transportation access, including a comparison of micropolitan/non-core and metropolitan residence.
Author(s): Jihyeong Jeong, Jason R. Falvey, Amanda J. Lehning
Citation: Journal of Transport & Health, 51
Date: 09/2026
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Analyzes the association between access to transportation and self-rated health for 257 community-dwelling older adults. Offers data on study participant characteristics by consistent and inconsistent transportation access, including a comparison of micropolitan/non-core and metropolitan residence.
Author(s): Jihyeong Jeong, Jason R. Falvey, Amanda J. Lehning
Citation: Journal of Transport & Health, 51
Date: 09/2026
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Navigating Rural Challenges and Promoting Posttraumatic Growth via Expressive Writing: A Qualitative Study among Rural Breast Cancer Survivors
Preprint article discussing findings from an expressive writing therapeutic intervention for rural breast cancer survivors via interviews with 14 participants. Analyzes interview themes related to the impact of expressive writing on emotional regulation, personal strength, relationships to others, and more, including discussion of rural challenges with rural cancer survivorship and access to supportive services.
Author(s): Yusi Aveva Xu, Eunju Choi, Celia C. Y. Wong-Meli, et al.
Citation: Supportive Care in Cancer, 34, 965
Date: 09/2026
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Preprint article discussing findings from an expressive writing therapeutic intervention for rural breast cancer survivors via interviews with 14 participants. Analyzes interview themes related to the impact of expressive writing on emotional regulation, personal strength, relationships to others, and more, including discussion of rural challenges with rural cancer survivorship and access to supportive services.
Author(s): Yusi Aveva Xu, Eunju Choi, Celia C. Y. Wong-Meli, et al.
Citation: Supportive Care in Cancer, 34, 965
Date: 09/2026
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