Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Research methods and resources
A Review of Common Limitations in Rural Related Studies in the Peer-Reviewed Literature
Examines rural-focused research studies and their data limitations, such as quality of data, generalizability, numerous rural definitions, outdated data, and more. Reviews 259 research studies published between 2019-2022 in prominent peer-reviewed journals to analyze study characteristics and author-reported limitations.
Author(s): Stephanie M. Mathis, Olivia A. Sullivan, Margaret M. Francisco, et al.
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: ETSU/NORC Rural Health Research Center
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Examines rural-focused research studies and their data limitations, such as quality of data, generalizability, numerous rural definitions, outdated data, and more. Reviews 259 research studies published between 2019-2022 in prominent peer-reviewed journals to analyze study characteristics and author-reported limitations.
Author(s): Stephanie M. Mathis, Olivia A. Sullivan, Margaret M. Francisco, et al.
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: ETSU/NORC Rural Health Research Center
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The National Dementia Workforce Study: The Plan for Organization Sample Frames and Data Collection
Details a plan for sampling and recruitment procedures of the dementia workforce, focusing on previously unsampled populations working in assisted living communities or home health agencies. Discusses sampling and recruitment strategies with considerations for Census region and rural areas.
Author(s): James Wagner, Laura M. Wagner, Sheryl Zimmerman, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Date: 09/2025
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Details a plan for sampling and recruitment procedures of the dementia workforce, focusing on previously unsampled populations working in assisted living communities or home health agencies. Discusses sampling and recruitment strategies with considerations for Census region and rural areas.
Author(s): James Wagner, Laura M. Wagner, Sheryl Zimmerman, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Date: 09/2025
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Conducting Research That Matters to Rural Practice and Communities
Commentary describing activities designed to improve rural clinical and community engagement in research led by the Oregon Rural Practice Research Network and the WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho) region Practice and Research Network. Features example solutions for meaningful engagement.
Author(s): Sebastian T. Tong, Melinda M. Davis, Allison M. Cole
Citation: Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 38(2), 603-606
Date: 08/2025
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Commentary describing activities designed to improve rural clinical and community engagement in research led by the Oregon Rural Practice Research Network and the WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho) region Practice and Research Network. Features example solutions for meaningful engagement.
Author(s): Sebastian T. Tong, Melinda M. Davis, Allison M. Cole
Citation: Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 38(2), 603-606
Date: 08/2025
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Six Strategies for Engaging Rural Communities in Teen Pregnancy Prevention Research and Programming
Tip sheet on communication strategies related to teen pregnancy and STI prevention for rural health researchers and practitioners. Highlights the value of humility, flexibility, and reciprocity in health communication and discusses examples and best practices from the Mousehouse Family Health Study sexual health intervention in Georgia.
Author(s): Asari Offiong, André Marria, Alyssa Scott, Elizabeth Cook, Jennifer Manlove
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Child Trends
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Tip sheet on communication strategies related to teen pregnancy and STI prevention for rural health researchers and practitioners. Highlights the value of humility, flexibility, and reciprocity in health communication and discusses examples and best practices from the Mousehouse Family Health Study sexual health intervention in Georgia.
Author(s): Asari Offiong, André Marria, Alyssa Scott, Elizabeth Cook, Jennifer Manlove
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Child Trends
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The National Dementia Workforce Study: Methods for Surveying Community Clinicians Who Provide Care to People With Dementia
Discusses the design and significance of the National Dementia Workforce Study (NDWS) Community Clinician Survey, which surveys community-based providers of clinical care for people with dementia. Highlights survey methodology related to provider demographics, processes of care, geographic distribution, and more.
Author(s): Elizabeth M. White, James Wagner, Kate Stewart, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Date: 08/2025
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Discusses the design and significance of the National Dementia Workforce Study (NDWS) Community Clinician Survey, which surveys community-based providers of clinical care for people with dementia. Highlights survey methodology related to provider demographics, processes of care, geographic distribution, and more.
Author(s): Elizabeth M. White, James Wagner, Kate Stewart, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Date: 08/2025
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35 Years of Partnership to Advance Cardiovascular Health and Well-Being in American Indian Communities: The Strong Heart Study and Strong Heart Family Study
Discusses the impact of the Strong Heart Study (SHS) and Strong Heart Family Study (SHFS) to provide population health and cardiovascular health outcomes information on rural tribal communities. Focuses on the importance of longitudinal studies, rigorous data collection, knowledge sharing, and partnerships.
Author(s): Amanda M. Fretts, Jessica A. Reese, Ying Zhang
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 07/2025
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Discusses the impact of the Strong Heart Study (SHS) and Strong Heart Family Study (SHFS) to provide population health and cardiovascular health outcomes information on rural tribal communities. Focuses on the importance of longitudinal studies, rigorous data collection, knowledge sharing, and partnerships.
Author(s): Amanda M. Fretts, Jessica A. Reese, Ying Zhang
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 07/2025
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Empowering Patients to Participate in Clinical Trials
Discusses the importance of clinical trials as well as the barriers that impact participant enrollment and retention. Provides strategies and policy suggestions to improve participation in clinical trials for various populations, including those in rural and remote areas.
Author(s): Allison Kolbe, Agata Bodie
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Discusses the importance of clinical trials as well as the barriers that impact participant enrollment and retention. Provides strategies and policy suggestions to improve participation in clinical trials for various populations, including those in rural and remote areas.
Author(s): Allison Kolbe, Agata Bodie
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Wireless Substitution: Early Release of Estimates from the National Health Interview Survey, July-December 2024
Provides data on households that rely on wireless telephones rather than landlines. Includes data on the percent of adults who live in wireless-only households and have their own wireless telephone, as well as data on phoneless adults. Provides data for nonmetropolitan compared to metropolitan areas. Discusses the need for surveys to include adequate representation of wireless-only households and households with landlines.
Author(s): Stephen J. Blumberg, Julian V. Luke
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Provides data on households that rely on wireless telephones rather than landlines. Includes data on the percent of adults who live in wireless-only households and have their own wireless telephone, as well as data on phoneless adults. Provides data for nonmetropolitan compared to metropolitan areas. Discusses the need for surveys to include adequate representation of wireless-only households and households with landlines.
Author(s): Stephen J. Blumberg, Julian V. Luke
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Rural Dissemination: Bridging Research and Practice for Aging and Disability Services
A recorded webcast that discusses strategies to ensure aging and disability research reaches hard-to-reach and rural areas. Provides examples of rural research, dissemination methods, and collaborative efforts.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript, Webcast
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: Center on Knowledge Translation for Disability and Rehabilitation Research
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A recorded webcast that discusses strategies to ensure aging and disability research reaches hard-to-reach and rural areas. Provides examples of rural research, dissemination methods, and collaborative efforts.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript, Webcast
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: Center on Knowledge Translation for Disability and Rehabilitation Research
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VHA Office of Rural Health (ORH) Rural Research Agenda
Report outlines the goals and objectives of the research funding provided through the VHA Office of Rural Health (ORH). Details the ORH funding mechanisms and improvement priorities.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Veterans Health Administration's Office of Rural Health
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Report outlines the goals and objectives of the research funding provided through the VHA Office of Rural Health (ORH). Details the ORH funding mechanisms and improvement priorities.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Veterans Health Administration's Office of Rural Health
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