Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Research methods and resources
Machine Learning to Evaluate the Effects of Non-Clinical Social Determinant Features in Predicting Colorectal Cancer Mortality in a Medically Underserved Appalachian Population
Examines colorectal cancer (CRC) survival rates in rural Appalachia and the related impact of demographic, clinical, and social determinant of health (SDOH) factors. Utilizes machine learning (ML) models to analyze data from Appalachian cancer centers and examines what factors contribute most to CRC survival in Appalachia. Discusses the impact of including SDOH in ML prediction models and implications for further CRC research.
Author(s): Aisha Montgomery, Ravi Vadapalli, Frank A. Dinenno, et al.
Citation: Scientific Reports, 15, 25781
Date: 07/2025
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Examines colorectal cancer (CRC) survival rates in rural Appalachia and the related impact of demographic, clinical, and social determinant of health (SDOH) factors. Utilizes machine learning (ML) models to analyze data from Appalachian cancer centers and examines what factors contribute most to CRC survival in Appalachia. Discusses the impact of including SDOH in ML prediction models and implications for further CRC research.
Author(s): Aisha Montgomery, Ravi Vadapalli, Frank A. Dinenno, et al.
Citation: Scientific Reports, 15, 25781
Date: 07/2025
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COVID-19 Risk Stratification among Older Adults: A Machine Learning Approach to Identify Personal and Health-Related Risk Factors
Examines risk perceptions and health behaviors related to COVID-19 to create a predictive model to classify individuals into risk categories. Analyzes individual features such as demographic variables, health conditions, adherence to public health guidelines, health literacy, and urbanicity.
Author(s): Arezoo Abasi, Seyed Abbas Motevalian, Haleh Ayatollahi
Citation: BMC Public Health 25, 2577
Date: 07/2025
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Examines risk perceptions and health behaviors related to COVID-19 to create a predictive model to classify individuals into risk categories. Analyzes individual features such as demographic variables, health conditions, adherence to public health guidelines, health literacy, and urbanicity.
Author(s): Arezoo Abasi, Seyed Abbas Motevalian, Haleh Ayatollahi
Citation: BMC Public Health 25, 2577
Date: 07/2025
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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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Adapting Sampling and Incentive Strategies to Improve Survey Response for Rural Latinos - Using the 2024 Community Health Survey
Presentation slides examining the effectiveness of sampling and incentive practices for surveying hard-to-survey, rural Latino populations, with particular focus on Spanish-speaking migrants. Highlights strategies and lessons learned from the 2024 Community Health Survey conducted in rural counties of California and Arizona.
Additional links: Project Overview: Examining Policies Influencing Rural Latino Health Study
Author(s): Hannah Murrow, Barbara Fernandez, Lauren Sedlak, et al.
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: NORC at the University of Chicago
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Presentation slides examining the effectiveness of sampling and incentive practices for surveying hard-to-survey, rural Latino populations, with particular focus on Spanish-speaking migrants. Highlights strategies and lessons learned from the 2024 Community Health Survey conducted in rural counties of California and Arizona.
Additional links: Project Overview: Examining Policies Influencing Rural Latino Health Study
Author(s): Hannah Murrow, Barbara Fernandez, Lauren Sedlak, et al.
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: NORC at the University of Chicago
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Evaluating Nature-Based Versus Generic Physical Activity Programs to Address Chronic Health Conditions: Lessons from an Oregon (USA) Pilot Study
Describes the design, implementation, and results of a "nature prescription" program for patients with chronic health conditions in 2 rural Oregon clinics. Discusses recruitment strategies, participant engagement, burdens on clinics, and more. Highlights lessons learned and recommendations for research design in similar studies.
Author(s): Randall Bluffstone, Ma Chan, Cort Cox, et al.
Citation: Forests, 16(5)
Date: 05/2025
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Describes the design, implementation, and results of a "nature prescription" program for patients with chronic health conditions in 2 rural Oregon clinics. Discusses recruitment strategies, participant engagement, burdens on clinics, and more. Highlights lessons learned and recommendations for research design in similar studies.
Author(s): Randall Bluffstone, Ma Chan, Cort Cox, et al.
Citation: Forests, 16(5)
Date: 05/2025
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School-Based Enhanced Hearing Screening and Specialty Telehealth Follow-Up for Hearing Loss among Children in Rural Alaska: Study Protocol for a Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Stepped Wedge, Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial (North STAR Trial)
Describes a study protocol that examines the impact of providing specialty hearing care for students in rural Alaska following standard school hearing screenings. Focuses on trial objectives, design, setting, participants, recruitment, data collection, and planned statistical analyses.
Author(s): Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Janet Prvu Bettger, Elizabeth Turner, et al.
Citation: Trials, 26, 175
Date: 05/2025
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Describes a study protocol that examines the impact of providing specialty hearing care for students in rural Alaska following standard school hearing screenings. Focuses on trial objectives, design, setting, participants, recruitment, data collection, and planned statistical analyses.
Author(s): Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Janet Prvu Bettger, Elizabeth Turner, et al.
Citation: Trials, 26, 175
Date: 05/2025
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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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Resilient, Engaged and Connected (REC) Study: Protocol for a Type 2 Cluster-Randomised Trial of the Chicago Parent Program in Prekindergarten in Low-Income Urban and Rural Communities
Provides an overview of a intervention that aims to improve social, emotional, and behavioral (SEB) readiness in pre-kindergarten (PreK) children by supporting and engaging low-income parents. Utilizes a mixed methods study design to examine PreK readiness in rural and urban children in Maryland when implementing an evidence-based SEB parenting program.
Author(s): Deborah Gross, Susan M. Breitenstein, Lieny Jeon, et al.
Citation: BMJ Open, 15(4)
Date: 04/2025
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Provides an overview of a intervention that aims to improve social, emotional, and behavioral (SEB) readiness in pre-kindergarten (PreK) children by supporting and engaging low-income parents. Utilizes a mixed methods study design to examine PreK readiness in rural and urban children in Maryland when implementing an evidence-based SEB parenting program.
Author(s): Deborah Gross, Susan M. Breitenstein, Lieny Jeon, et al.
Citation: BMJ Open, 15(4)
Date: 04/2025
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