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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Engagement and Retention in HIV Care in Rural Southern U.S. Using an All-Payer Claims Database
Analyzes HIV care engagement and retention among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Arkansas, utilizing 2013-2017 Arkansas All-Payer Claims Database data. Includes data and discussion of HIV access disparities in Arkansas by rurality, sex, and other demographic variables.
Author(s): Jun Tao, Mofan Gu, S. Alexandra Marshall, et al.
Citation: PLOS ONE, 20(12), e0339520
Date: 12/2025
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Analyzes HIV care engagement and retention among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Arkansas, utilizing 2013-2017 Arkansas All-Payer Claims Database data. Includes data and discussion of HIV access disparities in Arkansas by rurality, sex, and other demographic variables.
Author(s): Jun Tao, Mofan Gu, S. Alexandra Marshall, et al.
Citation: PLOS ONE, 20(12), e0339520
Date: 12/2025
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Nevada Sentinel Events Annual Summary 2024
Report of sentinel events in Nevada healthcare facilities in 2024. Data is presented by facility type, sentinel event type, reporting participation, and patient safety committee activities. Discusses rural facilities in the data.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Nevada Department of Health and Human Services
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Report of sentinel events in Nevada healthcare facilities in 2024. Data is presented by facility type, sentinel event type, reporting participation, and patient safety committee activities. Discusses rural facilities in the data.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Nevada Department of Health and Human Services
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Household Food Security in the United States in 2024
Reports on household food security, food expenditures, and use of federal food and nutrition assistance programs in 2024. Includes food insecurity statistics for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas.
Additional links: Statistical Supplement, Summary
Author(s): Matthew P. Rabbitt, Madeline Reed-Jones, Laura J. Hales, Shellye Suttles, Michael P. Burke
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Reports on household food security, food expenditures, and use of federal food and nutrition assistance programs in 2024. Includes food insecurity statistics for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas.
Additional links: Statistical Supplement, Summary
Author(s): Matthew P. Rabbitt, Madeline Reed-Jones, Laura J. Hales, Shellye Suttles, Michael P. Burke
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Maternal Syphilis in Mississippi, 2013 to 2023
Results of a study of maternal syphilis in Mississippi, using birth certificate data from 2013-2023. Features statistics with breakdowns by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas.
Author(s): Manuela Staneva, Victoria Gholar, Thomas Dobbs
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(12), e2546787
Date: 12/2025
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Results of a study of maternal syphilis in Mississippi, using birth certificate data from 2013-2023. Features statistics with breakdowns by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas.
Author(s): Manuela Staneva, Victoria Gholar, Thomas Dobbs
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(12), e2546787
Date: 12/2025
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Community Resilience and Stroke Outcomes in Older Adults: Beyond Rural-Urban Classifications
Examines the impact of community resilience and stroke burden across rural and urban U.S. counties. Utilizes data from Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 65 or older as well as the Baseline Resilience Indicators for Communities (BRIC) index to examine county-level social determinants of health that measure resilience. Provides rural versus urban breakdowns of stroke burden and BRIC resilience metrics.
Author(s): Ruaa Al Juboori, Emily Welker, Marie Barnard, Keith Anderson
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 13
Date: 12/2025
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Examines the impact of community resilience and stroke burden across rural and urban U.S. counties. Utilizes data from Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 65 or older as well as the Baseline Resilience Indicators for Communities (BRIC) index to examine county-level social determinants of health that measure resilience. Provides rural versus urban breakdowns of stroke burden and BRIC resilience metrics.
Author(s): Ruaa Al Juboori, Emily Welker, Marie Barnard, Keith Anderson
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 13
Date: 12/2025
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Use of Telehealth in Nonmetropolitan and Metropolitan Areas, United States 2021-2023
Statistical brief on differences in telehealth use in nonmetropolitan and metropolitan areas, utilizing 2021-2023 AHRQ Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component (MEPS-HC) data. Breaks down rural and urban frequency of telehealth use by specialty, primary source of payment, and more.
Author(s): Sandra Decker
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Statistical brief on differences in telehealth use in nonmetropolitan and metropolitan areas, utilizing 2021-2023 AHRQ Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component (MEPS-HC) data. Breaks down rural and urban frequency of telehealth use by specialty, primary source of payment, and more.
Author(s): Sandra Decker
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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