Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences
Nicotine and Tobacco Product Use among US Youth in 10th and 12th Grade, 2023–2025: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study
Examines trends in youth nicotine, tobacco, and multi-product co-use. Utilizes 2023-2025 survey data from 10th and 12th graders and analyzes lifetime use and past 30-day use of various nicotine and tobacco products according to grade, demographics, parent education, and school location of urban, suburban/town, or rural.
Author(s): Dayoung Bae, Junhan Cho, Alyssa F. Harlow, et al.
Citation: The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, 65, 101673
Date: 01/2027
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Examines trends in youth nicotine, tobacco, and multi-product co-use. Utilizes 2023-2025 survey data from 10th and 12th graders and analyzes lifetime use and past 30-day use of various nicotine and tobacco products according to grade, demographics, parent education, and school location of urban, suburban/town, or rural.
Author(s): Dayoung Bae, Junhan Cho, Alyssa F. Harlow, et al.
Citation: The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, 65, 101673
Date: 01/2027
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Differential Effects of Social Determinants on Cancer Survival by Age at Diagnosis: A Population-Based Study in Alabama
Examines whether the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) on cancer survival differs by age at diagnosis. Utilizes 2010-2019 Alabama Statewide Cancer Registry data on adults diagnosed with breast, prostate, colorectal, or lung cancers and analyzes survival rate alongside social vulnerability, rurality, and insurance status.
Author(s): Mackenzie E. Fowler, Geetanjali Saini, Elizabeth Baker, Mahak Bhargava, Ritu Aneja
Citation: Journal of Geriatric Oncology, 17(8), 103094
Date: 11/2026
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Examines whether the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) on cancer survival differs by age at diagnosis. Utilizes 2010-2019 Alabama Statewide Cancer Registry data on adults diagnosed with breast, prostate, colorectal, or lung cancers and analyzes survival rate alongside social vulnerability, rurality, and insurance status.
Author(s): Mackenzie E. Fowler, Geetanjali Saini, Elizabeth Baker, Mahak Bhargava, Ritu Aneja
Citation: Journal of Geriatric Oncology, 17(8), 103094
Date: 11/2026
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How Do Services Offered Within Opioid Treatment Programs Vary Based on State Methadone Policies?
Examines the availability of opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in various states as well as access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) options, psychosocial services, and housing supports. Analyzes 1,501 opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and their characteristics, including state restrictiveness, services offered, facility type, rurality, and more.
Author(s): Zoe Lindenfeld, Noa Krawczyk, Erin A. Taylor, Denis Agniel, Jonathan H. Cantor
Citation: Journal of Substance Use & Addiction Treatment, 190, 210062
Date: 11/2026
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Examines the availability of opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in various states as well as access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) options, psychosocial services, and housing supports. Analyzes 1,501 opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and their characteristics, including state restrictiveness, services offered, facility type, rurality, and more.
Author(s): Zoe Lindenfeld, Noa Krawczyk, Erin A. Taylor, Denis Agniel, Jonathan H. Cantor
Citation: Journal of Substance Use & Addiction Treatment, 190, 210062
Date: 11/2026
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County-Level Differences in Fee-for-Service Medicare Quality Measures by Rurality and Disability Status
Results of a study examining county-level differences in 3 fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare quality measures to address differences in quality of care by rurality and disability status. Features statistics on percent of FFS enrollees receiving flu vaccine and mammogram screening, and rate of hospital stays for ambulatory-care sensitive conditions, with breakdowns by rural and urban areas.
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Andrew Abram, Alexis Swendener, et al.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Results of a study examining county-level differences in 3 fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare quality measures to address differences in quality of care by rurality and disability status. Features statistics on percent of FFS enrollees receiving flu vaccine and mammogram screening, and rate of hospital stays for ambulatory-care sensitive conditions, with breakdowns by rural and urban areas.
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Andrew Abram, Alexis Swendener, et al.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Disparities in Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Rural Versus Urban Michigan
Compares rural and urban cancer incidence and cancer-specific mortality in Michigan, using 2017-2021 data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Includes breakdowns by cancer type for 10 leading cancers, as well as incidence by Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) stage for colorectal, female breast, lung and bronchus, and prostate cancer.
Author(s): Reba Dhillon, Stephanie Mackenzie, Austin H. Qasawa, et al.
Citation: Cancer Medicine, 15(11), e72396
Date: 10/2026
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Compares rural and urban cancer incidence and cancer-specific mortality in Michigan, using 2017-2021 data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Includes breakdowns by cancer type for 10 leading cancers, as well as incidence by Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) stage for colorectal, female breast, lung and bronchus, and prostate cancer.
Author(s): Reba Dhillon, Stephanie Mackenzie, Austin H. Qasawa, et al.
Citation: Cancer Medicine, 15(11), e72396
Date: 10/2026
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New England's Rural Economy: An Overview
Reports data on the rural economy of New England, including overall employment, employment by industry, income, poverty, and educational attainment. Includes state-level data for select indicators.
Author(s): Jeffrey P. Thompson, Nathaniel R. Nelson
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
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Reports data on the rural economy of New England, including overall employment, employment by industry, income, poverty, and educational attainment. Includes state-level data for select indicators.
Author(s): Jeffrey P. Thompson, Nathaniel R. Nelson
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
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Rural America Grew During the Pandemic Era Because of Migration Gains
An issue brief that examines migration patterns from 2010 to 2025 across the rural continuum and county types. Discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality and population growth.
Author(s): Kenneth Johnson
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Carsey School of Public Policy
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An issue brief that examines migration patterns from 2010 to 2025 across the rural continuum and county types. Discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality and population growth.
Author(s): Kenneth Johnson
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Carsey School of Public Policy
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Rural Hospital AI Use and Evaluation
Highlights a study exploring the rural and urban differences in the adoption, use, and evaluation of predictive artificial intelligence (AI) in U.S. hospitals. Bases findings on the 2023 American Hospital Association's Annual Survey Information Technology Supplement and compares AI usage across Critical Access Hospitals, Medicare-Dependent Hospitals, and Sole Community Hospitals, as well as by rural and urban location.
Author(s): Josiah A. Cruikshank, Brian E. Whitacre, Alison F. Davis
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(4), e70237
Date: 10/2026
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Highlights a study exploring the rural and urban differences in the adoption, use, and evaluation of predictive artificial intelligence (AI) in U.S. hospitals. Bases findings on the 2023 American Hospital Association's Annual Survey Information Technology Supplement and compares AI usage across Critical Access Hospitals, Medicare-Dependent Hospitals, and Sole Community Hospitals, as well as by rural and urban location.
Author(s): Josiah A. Cruikshank, Brian E. Whitacre, Alison F. Davis
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(4), e70237
Date: 10/2026
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Patient-Provider Distance in Medicare Outpatient Oncology Telehealth Versus Office Visits, 2021‐2023: Cross-Sectional Claims Analysis
Presents a study exploring the use of telehealth to extend the patient-provider geographic reach for outpatient oncology-related visits in patients aged 66 or older. Draws data from Medicare Fee-For-Service claims to compare patient-provider distance for in-office and telehealth oncology visits, by rurality and U.S. Census region.
Author(s): Lingbo Liu, Tracy Onega, Erika L. Moen, et al.
Citation: JMIR Medical Informatics, 14, e95370
Date: 10/2026
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Presents a study exploring the use of telehealth to extend the patient-provider geographic reach for outpatient oncology-related visits in patients aged 66 or older. Draws data from Medicare Fee-For-Service claims to compare patient-provider distance for in-office and telehealth oncology visits, by rurality and U.S. Census region.
Author(s): Lingbo Liu, Tracy Onega, Erika L. Moen, et al.
Citation: JMIR Medical Informatics, 14, e95370
Date: 10/2026
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Rural Value-Based Care and Payment: From Payment Fundamentals to Rural Design
Slides presented to Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) staff during a two-day seminar in October 2026. Provides an overview of Medicare payment systems and mechanisms for rural healthcare providers. Explores the difference between fee-for-service and value-based payment systems and the applicability of value-based care and payment (VBC/P) models to rural providers. Discusses factors that influence whether a rural VBC/P approach is likely to succeed.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
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Slides presented to Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) staff during a two-day seminar in October 2026. Provides an overview of Medicare payment systems and mechanisms for rural healthcare providers. Explores the difference between fee-for-service and value-based payment systems and the applicability of value-based care and payment (VBC/P) models to rural providers. Discusses factors that influence whether a rural VBC/P approach is likely to succeed.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
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