Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences
Small but Essential: Understanding Rural Public Health Workforce Challenges and Strengths From the 2024 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey
Examines characteristics of the rural public health workforce. Utilizes 2024 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) data to analyze the rural versus urban local health department (LHD) workforce with breakdowns according to demographics, education, employment tenure and type, and intentions to stay.
Author(s): Casey P. Balio, Stephanie M. Mathis, Michael B. Meit, Betty Bekemeier
Citation: Journal of Public Health Management & Practice, 32(1S), S60-S67
Date: 01/2026
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Examines characteristics of the rural public health workforce. Utilizes 2024 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) data to analyze the rural versus urban local health department (LHD) workforce with breakdowns according to demographics, education, employment tenure and type, and intentions to stay.
Author(s): Casey P. Balio, Stephanie M. Mathis, Michael B. Meit, Betty Bekemeier
Citation: Journal of Public Health Management & Practice, 32(1S), S60-S67
Date: 01/2026
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Predictors of Inpatient RN Turnover in Rural and Urban VHA Hospitals
A study on the rates and associated factors of registered nursing (RN) workforce turnover in rural and urban Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals. Breaks down data by RN demographic factors, such as age, salary, and experience within the VHA, and hospital factors, such as average age, average base salary, and average number of units worked, among other factors.
Author(s): Katherine G. Bay, Chase S. Eck, Melissa K. Knox, et al.
Citation: Medical Care, 64(1S), S9-S17
Date: 01/2026
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A study on the rates and associated factors of registered nursing (RN) workforce turnover in rural and urban Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals. Breaks down data by RN demographic factors, such as age, salary, and experience within the VHA, and hospital factors, such as average age, average base salary, and average number of units worked, among other factors.
Author(s): Katherine G. Bay, Chase S. Eck, Melissa K. Knox, et al.
Citation: Medical Care, 64(1S), S9-S17
Date: 01/2026
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Universal School Meal Policies and Perceived Stigma: Quantitative Evidence From Eight US States
Examines relationships among universal school meals (USMs) policies, stigma surrounding USM, and perceptions of school lunch. Utilizes survey data from 1,066 middle and high school students regarding their feelings of embarrassment surrounding school lunch, with breakdowns according to participant sociodemographics and rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Dania Orta-Aleman, Monica D. Zuercher, Leah E. Chapman, et al.
Citation: Journal of School Health, 96(1), e70098
Date: 01/2026
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Examines relationships among universal school meals (USMs) policies, stigma surrounding USM, and perceptions of school lunch. Utilizes survey data from 1,066 middle and high school students regarding their feelings of embarrassment surrounding school lunch, with breakdowns according to participant sociodemographics and rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Dania Orta-Aleman, Monica D. Zuercher, Leah E. Chapman, et al.
Citation: Journal of School Health, 96(1), e70098
Date: 01/2026
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Learning Modalities During COVID-19 and Adolescent Mental Health in North Carolina
Examines virtual, hybrid, and in-person learning modalities and their impact on adolescent mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyzes mental health emergency department (ED) visits in North Carolina alongside county-level information on learning modalities used over time. Provides rural versus urban data on impacts of learning modality on mental health.
Author(s): Justin Cole Gilbert, Martie P. Thompson, Sophia Ryan, Manan Roy
Citation: Journal of School Health, 96(1), e70093
Date: 01/2026
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Examines virtual, hybrid, and in-person learning modalities and their impact on adolescent mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyzes mental health emergency department (ED) visits in North Carolina alongside county-level information on learning modalities used over time. Provides rural versus urban data on impacts of learning modality on mental health.
Author(s): Justin Cole Gilbert, Martie P. Thompson, Sophia Ryan, Manan Roy
Citation: Journal of School Health, 96(1), e70093
Date: 01/2026
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Rural-Urban Differences in the Prevalence of Chronic Pain Among Adult Cancer Survivors
Examines chronic pain differences among rural and urban cancer survivors, using data from the 2019-2021 and 2023 National Health Interview Survey. Features demographics and statistics with breakdowns by rural and urban areas.
Author(s): Hyojin Choi, Emily Hallgren, Maija Reblin, J. Kathleen Tracy, Erika Ziller
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(12), e2549972
Date: 12/2025
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Examines chronic pain differences among rural and urban cancer survivors, using data from the 2019-2021 and 2023 National Health Interview Survey. Features demographics and statistics with breakdowns by rural and urban areas.
Author(s): Hyojin Choi, Emily Hallgren, Maija Reblin, J. Kathleen Tracy, Erika Ziller
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(12), e2549972
Date: 12/2025
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American Cancer Society's Report on the Status of Cancer Disparities in the United States, 2025
Reports on cancer disparities by various demographic factors, socioeconomic status, geography, and other factors, utilizing 2018-2022 North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) data. Contains metropolitan versus nonmetropolitan data comparisons throughout, and discusses factors influencing access to cancer screening and treatment, including rurality.
Author(s): Farhad Islami, Gladys Arias, Dongjun Lee, et al.
Citation: CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 76(1), e70045
Date: 12/2025
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Reports on cancer disparities by various demographic factors, socioeconomic status, geography, and other factors, utilizing 2018-2022 North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) data. Contains metropolitan versus nonmetropolitan data comparisons throughout, and discusses factors influencing access to cancer screening and treatment, including rurality.
Author(s): Farhad Islami, Gladys Arias, Dongjun Lee, et al.
Citation: CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 76(1), e70045
Date: 12/2025
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Bone Density Scan (DEXA) Utilization Among Women Without Diagnosed Osteoporosis Aged 50 and Older in the United States, 2022
Statistical brief examining likelihood of having ever received low bone density screening (DEXA) among women aged 50 and older without a diagnosis of osteoporosis. See Figure 7 for a comparison between metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas.
Author(s): Terceira A. Berdahl
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Statistical brief examining likelihood of having ever received low bone density screening (DEXA) among women aged 50 and older without a diagnosis of osteoporosis. See Figure 7 for a comparison between metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas.
Author(s): Terceira A. Berdahl
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Rural Small Businesses in the North Central Region: Workforce Development
Discusses the landscape of rural businesses in the North Central Region (NCR). Provides rural versus urban data on number of employees, staffing shortages, lost sales opportunities, and issues recruiting and retaining employees, including childcare availability, housing affordability, access to healthcare, and more.
Author(s): Renee D. Wiatt
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
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Discusses the landscape of rural businesses in the North Central Region (NCR). Provides rural versus urban data on number of employees, staffing shortages, lost sales opportunities, and issues recruiting and retaining employees, including childcare availability, housing affordability, access to healthcare, and more.
Author(s): Renee D. Wiatt
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
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Changes in Bed-Based Measures of Surge Capacity from 2018 to 2022 among Rural and Urban Hospitals
Policy brief describing how hospitals' inpatient capacity changed from 2018-2022 and examining trade-offs between cost-saving reductions and emergency preparedness. Features statistics on hospitals' average daily census (ADC) and number and percentage of unoccupied beds, with breakdowns by year and urban or rural location.
Author(s): Emma Kerr, Tyler Malone, Mark Holmes
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Policy brief describing how hospitals' inpatient capacity changed from 2018-2022 and examining trade-offs between cost-saving reductions and emergency preparedness. Features statistics on hospitals' average daily census (ADC) and number and percentage of unoccupied beds, with breakdowns by year and urban or rural location.
Author(s): Emma Kerr, Tyler Malone, Mark Holmes
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Medicare Advantage 2026 Spotlight: A First Look at Plan Offerings
Offers an overview of Medicare Advantage plan availability across the country for 2026. Discusses how many plans are available, who is offering plans, and costs. Offers data for rural and urban areas and county-level data.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Offers an overview of Medicare Advantage plan availability across the country for 2026. Discusses how many plans are available, who is offering plans, and costs. Offers data for rural and urban areas and county-level data.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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