This website is being reviewed for updates. Some information is offline. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Newly Reported Chronic Hepatitis C Among Adults — Alaska, 2016–2023
Reports on changes in the annual average rate of newly reported adult chronic hepatitis C cases during 2016–2023 in Alaska. Includes rate data for 2016-2019 compared to 2020-2023 for urban, rural, and remote areas.
Author(s): Heather M. Scobie, Jamie Allison, Nicholas Masters, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 74(10), 161-166
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
view details
Minnesota Population Declines while Households Increase
Provides county-level data on urban/city, change in households and populations since 1970, and household size. Includes breakdowns according to location: Hennepin and Ramsey, suburban/greater Minnesota urban, urban/town/rural mix, entirely rural or town/rural mix-recreational, town/rural mix, or entirely rural.
Author(s): Kelly Asche
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Policy and Development
view details
Home Healthcare Establishments Serving Rural Areas Increased about 36 Percent from 2010 to 2023
Chart showing the change for home healthcare services, assisted living facilities, and skilled nursing facilities in nonmetropolitan areas between 2010 and 2023.
Author(s): Brandon Genetin
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
view details
Rural–Urban Differences in Substance Use During Pregnancy
Examines perinatal substance use in rural and urban populations. Utilizes 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data to analyze 3,499 pregnant women according to rural, small urban, and large urban location, as well as by demographic variables, health status, and type of substance use.
Author(s): Emma Kathryn Boswell, Olivia M. Hinds, Cassie Odahowski, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 03/2025
view details
Operating Status of Adult Day Services Centers in 2022
Offers estimates from the 2022 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS) regarding operating status of adult day service centers as a result of COVID-19 response efforts. Compares U.S. Census Bureau regions, metropolitan and nonmetropolitan statistical areas, Medicaid licensure, and number of enrolled participants.
Author(s): Jessica P. Lendon, Priyanka Singh, Christine Caffrey, Manisha Sengupta, Zhaohui Lu
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
view details
Rural Areas Have More Older People Exposed to Greater Wildfire Risk
Bar chart comparing the number of adults 60 or older with moderate, high, or highest risk of wildfire exposure by rurality.
Author(s): Richelle L. Winkler
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
view details
Public Health Research and Program Strategies for Diabetes Prevention and Management
Editorial describing diabetes prevention and management efforts and policy since 1975. Discusses disparities in diabetes prevalence including rural residence. Highlights current and future work in diabetes prevention and management.
Author(s): Shelly-Ann Bowen, Arsham Alamian, Stephen Onufrak
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
view details
Pharmacy-Related Syringe Access Barriers: An Audit of Oregon Community Pharmacies
Examines barriers to purchasing over-the-counter (OTC) syringes in Oregon pharmacies. Utilizes a telephone audit (secret shopper) methodology to examine 425 pharmacies' willingness to sell OTC syringes by pharmacy type, syringe services program (SSP) availability, overdose rates, and rural versus urban county type.
Author(s): Victor Abreu, Marissa McGinnis, Savannah Justen, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 22, 37
Date: 03/2025
view details
Rising Rural Mortality Rates From Natural Causes for Working-Age Adults Lead to Widening Gap With Urban Counterparts
Reports on disparities in natural cause mortality rates between rural and urban working age adults. Explores disparities by various demographic factors and underlying causes.
Author(s): Kelsey L. Thomas (Conley), Elizabeth A. Dobis, David McGranahan
Citation: Amber Waves
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
view details
Policy Considerations: The Future of Group VIII (expansion) Medicaid Coverage in Ohio
Provides information on the impact of Medicaid Expansion legislation in Ohio. Includes county-level data on percentage of population enrolled in Medicaid Group VIII as of January 2025 as well as enrollee county type by metropolitan, suburban, Appalachian, or rural. Discusses access issues and potential policy considerations.
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: Health Policy Institute of Ohio
view details