Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences
Data Gem: Access and Compare Rural vs. Urban Area Population Data
Video demonstrating how to compare rural and urban areas using data.census.gov. Transcript linked underneath the video player.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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Video demonstrating how to compare rural and urban areas using data.census.gov. Transcript linked underneath the video player.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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Growth of Health IT-Enabled Patient Engagement Capabilities Among U.S. Hospitals: 2021-2024
Describes hospital trends regarding the adoption of capabilities that enable patient access to their electronic health information, including the ability to view, download, transmit, and import data from other organizations into their patient portal; view clinical notes; and access information through apps between 2021-2024. Presents data and analysis by hospital type, including Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and rural hospitals, on the percent of hospitals that app-based and Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resource®(FHIR)-enabled patient engagement capabilities.
Author(s): Meghan Hufstader Gabriel, Chelsea Richwine, Priscilla Owusu-Mensah, Catherine Strawley
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
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Describes hospital trends regarding the adoption of capabilities that enable patient access to their electronic health information, including the ability to view, download, transmit, and import data from other organizations into their patient portal; view clinical notes; and access information through apps between 2021-2024. Presents data and analysis by hospital type, including Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and rural hospitals, on the percent of hospitals that app-based and Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resource®(FHIR)-enabled patient engagement capabilities.
Author(s): Meghan Hufstader Gabriel, Chelsea Richwine, Priscilla Owusu-Mensah, Catherine Strawley
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
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Use of Cancer Screening Tests, United States, 2023
Examines use of screening tests for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer (CRC). Utilizes 2023 National Health Interview Survey data to analyze percentage of adults who are up-to-date with screening recommendations according to age, sociodemographics, healthcare usage, and large central metropolitan, large fringe metropolitan, medium/small metropolitan, or nonmetropolitan location.
Author(s): Susan A. Sabatino, Trevor D. Thompson, Jennifer M. Croswell, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 08/2025
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Examines use of screening tests for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer (CRC). Utilizes 2023 National Health Interview Survey data to analyze percentage of adults who are up-to-date with screening recommendations according to age, sociodemographics, healthcare usage, and large central metropolitan, large fringe metropolitan, medium/small metropolitan, or nonmetropolitan location.
Author(s): Susan A. Sabatino, Trevor D. Thompson, Jennifer M. Croswell, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 08/2025
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Vaccination Coverage Among Adolescents Aged 13–17 Years — National Immunization Survey-Teen, United States, 2024
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), as well as data on provider recommendation for HPV vaccination.
Author(s): Cassandra Pingali, David Yankey, Laurie D. Elam-Evans, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 74(30), 466-472
Date: 08/2025
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), as well as data on provider recommendation for HPV vaccination.
Author(s): Cassandra Pingali, David Yankey, Laurie D. Elam-Evans, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 74(30), 466-472
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Traffic Safety Facts, 2023 Data: Summary of Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes
Presents descriptive statistics about traffic crashes of all severities, from those that result in property damage to those that result in the loss of human life. Features statistics including rural fatal crashes by average emergency medical services response times, vehicles involved in fatal crashes by speed limit, roadway function class, crash type, and hazardous cargo, and vehicle occupants killed in crashes, with breakdowns by state and by rural or urban location.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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Presents descriptive statistics about traffic crashes of all severities, from those that result in property damage to those that result in the loss of human life. Features statistics including rural fatal crashes by average emergency medical services response times, vehicles involved in fatal crashes by speed limit, roadway function class, crash type, and hazardous cargo, and vehicle occupants killed in crashes, with breakdowns by state and by rural or urban location.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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NSDUH (National Survey on Drug Use and Health) Detailed Tables - 2024
Explores 2024 survey data on use of prescription and illicit drugs, alcohol, tobacco and nicotine products, trends in substance use disorder (SUD) and mental illness, and access to treatment for youth and adults. Features statistics for a variety of demographic and geographic characteristics, including rural versus urban status.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Explores 2024 survey data on use of prescription and illicit drugs, alcohol, tobacco and nicotine products, trends in substance use disorder (SUD) and mental illness, and access to treatment for youth and adults. Features statistics for a variety of demographic and geographic characteristics, including rural versus urban status.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Baseline Estimates of Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Adults Aged 45 to 75 Years, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2022
Examines colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates for adults aged 45 to 75. Utilizes 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey data to analyze CRC screening status according to respondent demographics, income, access to healthcare and health plans, and metro versus nonmetro location.
Author(s): Sallyann Coleman King, Jessica King, Cheryll C. Thomas, Lisa C. Richardson
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 08/2025
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Examines colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates for adults aged 45 to 75. Utilizes 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey data to analyze CRC screening status according to respondent demographics, income, access to healthcare and health plans, and metro versus nonmetro location.
Author(s): Sallyann Coleman King, Jessica King, Cheryll C. Thomas, Lisa C. Richardson
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 08/2025
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U.S. Obesity Rate Changes Differ for Rural and Urban Areas, as Well as Across Regions
Reports on rural versus urban and regional differences in obesity prevalence among U.S. adults between 2019 and 2024. Identifies changes in obesity prevalence over time and discusses the geographic factors influencing obesity prevalence.
Author(s): Mariah Ehmke, Brandon J. Restrepo
Citation: Amber Waves
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Reports on rural versus urban and regional differences in obesity prevalence among U.S. adults between 2019 and 2024. Identifies changes in obesity prevalence over time and discusses the geographic factors influencing obesity prevalence.
Author(s): Mariah Ehmke, Brandon J. Restrepo
Citation: Amber Waves
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Adult Ratings of Neighborhood Medical Care Availability in Nonmetropolitan and Metropolitan Areas, United States 2021
Statistical brief examining perceptions of medical care availability and quality in nonmetropolitan and metropolitan areas, utilizing 2021 AHRQ Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component (MEPS-HC) data. Includes data breakdowns by level of rurality and age group, insurance status, physical health status, and more.
Author(s): Sandra L. Decker, Xue Wu
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Statistical brief examining perceptions of medical care availability and quality in nonmetropolitan and metropolitan areas, utilizing 2021 AHRQ Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component (MEPS-HC) data. Includes data breakdowns by level of rurality and age group, insurance status, physical health status, and more.
Author(s): Sandra L. Decker, Xue Wu
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Traffic Safety Facts, 2023 Data: Bicyclists and Other Cyclists
National data on fatal and non-fatal traffic crashes involving bicyclists and other cyclists, including riders of two-wheel vehicles, tricycles, and unicycles powered by pedals and/or motors. Features statistics from 2014-2023 with breakdowns including fatality and injury rates, age group, sex, time of day and day of the week, alcohol involvement, blood alcohol concentrations of riders, vehicle type and impact point, fatality rates by state, and rural or urban location.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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National data on fatal and non-fatal traffic crashes involving bicyclists and other cyclists, including riders of two-wheel vehicles, tricycles, and unicycles powered by pedals and/or motors. Features statistics from 2014-2023 with breakdowns including fatality and injury rates, age group, sex, time of day and day of the week, alcohol involvement, blood alcohol concentrations of riders, vehicle type and impact point, fatality rates by state, and rural or urban location.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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