Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences
The Golden Hour Is Elusive in Rural Trauma: A 10-year Analysis from a Level I Trauma Center in Montana
Analyzed 4,213 trauma patients between 2012 and 2022 at a Level 1 trauma facility in Montana to determine whether trauma transfer patterns and rurality impacted outcomes. Discusses the goal of offering definitive care within 1 hour of injury and the impact of workforce shortages in rural areas.
Author(s): Jung G. Min, Maggie Smith, Michael S. Englehart, et al.
Citation: The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 103, 127-131
Date: 05/2026
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Analyzed 4,213 trauma patients between 2012 and 2022 at a Level 1 trauma facility in Montana to determine whether trauma transfer patterns and rurality impacted outcomes. Discusses the goal of offering definitive care within 1 hour of injury and the impact of workforce shortages in rural areas.
Author(s): Jung G. Min, Maggie Smith, Michael S. Englehart, et al.
Citation: The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 103, 127-131
Date: 05/2026
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National Trends in the Potentially Preventable Hospitalization for Pediatric Asthma, 2016-2020
Describes the trends in potentially preventable hospitalizations for asthma among children 2 to 17 years old between 2016 and 2020. Presents data on the rate of potentially preventable hospitalizations for pediatric asthma by hospital characteristics and patient demographics, including the rural classification of hospitals and patient residence.
Author(s): Marvellous Akinlotan, Nima Khodakarami, Gogoal Falia, Alva O. Ferdinand
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
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Describes the trends in potentially preventable hospitalizations for asthma among children 2 to 17 years old between 2016 and 2020. Presents data on the rate of potentially preventable hospitalizations for pediatric asthma by hospital characteristics and patient demographics, including the rural classification of hospitals and patient residence.
Author(s): Marvellous Akinlotan, Nima Khodakarami, Gogoal Falia, Alva O. Ferdinand
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
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Rural Residence and Mental Health among US Veterans: Findings from the Millennium Cohort Study
Details a study on the effect rurality, social vulnerability, drive time from Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities, and VHA utilization have on the mental health of rural veterans. Breaks down data by participants' age, education, and military service, among other measures.
Author(s): Claire A. Kolaja, Javier Villalobos, Julia Seay, et al.
Citation: PLOS One, 21(4), e0346780
Date: 04/2026
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Details a study on the effect rurality, social vulnerability, drive time from Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities, and VHA utilization have on the mental health of rural veterans. Breaks down data by participants' age, education, and military service, among other measures.
Author(s): Claire A. Kolaja, Javier Villalobos, Julia Seay, et al.
Citation: PLOS One, 21(4), e0346780
Date: 04/2026
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Prevalence of Selected Chronic Conditions Among Adults Age 45 and Older, by Age and Urbanization Level: United States, 2024
Provides data on the prevalence of heart disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and stroke among adults age 45 and older by level of rurality, using data from the 2024 National Health Interview Survey.
Author(s): Xun Wang, Lindsey I. Black
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Provides data on the prevalence of heart disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and stroke among adults age 45 and older by level of rurality, using data from the 2024 National Health Interview Survey.
Author(s): Xun Wang, Lindsey I. Black
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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A Mixed-Methods Approach for Understanding Cancer Center Catchment Area Needs: An Example of Rural Cancer Disparities, Needs, and Resiliencies
Examines the catchment area for the University of Iowa Health Care Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center and provides data on cancer burden, risks and protective factors, needs and barriers, and assets and resources related to cancer in Iowa. Utilizes rural versus urban cancer registry data as well as qualitative interview data from Iowa leaders to discuss cancer disparities in rural areas.
Author(s): Stephanie Evett, Amanda Kahl, Megan E. Schmidt, et al.
Citation: Cancer Causes Control, 37, 82
Date: 04/2026
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Examines the catchment area for the University of Iowa Health Care Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center and provides data on cancer burden, risks and protective factors, needs and barriers, and assets and resources related to cancer in Iowa. Utilizes rural versus urban cancer registry data as well as qualitative interview data from Iowa leaders to discuss cancer disparities in rural areas.
Author(s): Stephanie Evett, Amanda Kahl, Megan E. Schmidt, et al.
Citation: Cancer Causes Control, 37, 82
Date: 04/2026
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Trends Among Medicare Special Needs Plan Enrollment in Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Areas
Examines enrollment trends from 2016-2025 in Medicare Advantage plans that provide benefits and services to people with specific conditions or healthcare needs, or who also have Medicaid. Features statistics with breakdowns by year and by metropolitan or nonmetropolitan location.
Author(s): Edmer Lazaro, Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Examines enrollment trends from 2016-2025 in Medicare Advantage plans that provide benefits and services to people with specific conditions or healthcare needs, or who also have Medicaid. Features statistics with breakdowns by year and by metropolitan or nonmetropolitan location.
Author(s): Edmer Lazaro, Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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April 2026 MedPAC Meeting Transcript
Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) April 2026 meeting. Covers Medicare payment incentives, regional benchmarks and benchmark-plan availability in the Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) market, preferred networks and pharmacy access in Medicare Part D, the estimated association between Medicare Advantage enrollment and hospitals' and post-acute care providers' finances, information sources that beneficiaries use to make Medicare enrollment decisions, and institutional special-needs plans. Includes a mandated report on the assessment of the Medicare ground ambulance data collection system. Includes rural references and considerations throughout.
Additional links: Advising the Congress on Medicare Issues Preferred Networks and Pharmacy Access in Part D, Mandated Report: Assessment of the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) April 2026 meeting. Covers Medicare payment incentives, regional benchmarks and benchmark-plan availability in the Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) market, preferred networks and pharmacy access in Medicare Part D, the estimated association between Medicare Advantage enrollment and hospitals' and post-acute care providers' finances, information sources that beneficiaries use to make Medicare enrollment decisions, and institutional special-needs plans. Includes a mandated report on the assessment of the Medicare ground ambulance data collection system. Includes rural references and considerations throughout.
Additional links: Advising the Congress on Medicare Issues Preferred Networks and Pharmacy Access in Part D, Mandated Report: Assessment of the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Population-Based Associations of Body Mass Index and Treatments Received for Breast Cancer in a Rural, Midwestern State
Examines how breast cancer treatment differed by body mass index (BMI), using 2010-2020 Iowa Cancer Registry data of 18,115 patients. Includes data breakdowns by patient rurality and hospital rurality.
Author(s): Breanna L. Blaess, Amanda R. Kahl, Ingrid Lizarraga, et al.
Citation: Cancer Medicine, 15(4), e71831
Date: 04/2026
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Examines how breast cancer treatment differed by body mass index (BMI), using 2010-2020 Iowa Cancer Registry data of 18,115 patients. Includes data breakdowns by patient rurality and hospital rurality.
Author(s): Breanna L. Blaess, Amanda R. Kahl, Ingrid Lizarraga, et al.
Citation: Cancer Medicine, 15(4), e71831
Date: 04/2026
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Analysis of Pennsylvania Crime Trends: An Updated Rural/Urban Comparison
Examines rural and urban crime trends in Pennsylvania from 2013-2023. Identifies areas where rural crime trends differ from urban patterns, and highlights differences across rural regions of the state. Features statistics on crime rates by offense category, injuries due to assault, access to drug and alcohol treatment centers, and most prevalent property crimes, with breakdowns by urban and rural areas, and Philadelphia alone.
Author(s): Brandon Vick, Robert Orth, Emily Schumacher, Angel Alcantara
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Examines rural and urban crime trends in Pennsylvania from 2013-2023. Identifies areas where rural crime trends differ from urban patterns, and highlights differences across rural regions of the state. Features statistics on crime rates by offense category, injuries due to assault, access to drug and alcohol treatment centers, and most prevalent property crimes, with breakdowns by urban and rural areas, and Philadelphia alone.
Author(s): Brandon Vick, Robert Orth, Emily Schumacher, Angel Alcantara
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Identification and Characteristics of Under-Resourced and High-Need Rural Counties
Describes how county-level data on healthcare workforce, chronic disease prevalence, and socioeconomic environment of rural communities can help policymakers identify the highest need counties for targeted policy initiatives and public health intervention. Features county-level U.S. maps showing geographic distribution of chronic disease burden, socioeconomic status, physician density, and overall resource need, with shadings showing level of need or nonrural status.
Author(s): Gabriel A. Benavidez, Emma Boswell, Peiyin Hung, Eyram Owusu-Sekyere, Elizabeth Crouch
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
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Describes how county-level data on healthcare workforce, chronic disease prevalence, and socioeconomic environment of rural communities can help policymakers identify the highest need counties for targeted policy initiatives and public health intervention. Features county-level U.S. maps showing geographic distribution of chronic disease burden, socioeconomic status, physician density, and overall resource need, with shadings showing level of need or nonrural status.
Author(s): Gabriel A. Benavidez, Emma Boswell, Peiyin Hung, Eyram Owusu-Sekyere, Elizabeth Crouch
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
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