Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences
Access and Quality of Mental Health Services in Rural and Urban America
Research brief documenting recent trends in mental healthcare access and quality in urban and rural communities. Features state-level maps showing locations of mental health facilities, a county-level map with shadings showing driving distances to any mental health facility or access to telehealth, and statistics on ZIP code area demographics, with breakdowns by urban, large rural, and small rural area.
Author(s): Peiyin Hung, Sophia N.D. Negaro, Rachel M. Hantman, et al.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
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Research brief documenting recent trends in mental healthcare access and quality in urban and rural communities. Features state-level maps showing locations of mental health facilities, a county-level map with shadings showing driving distances to any mental health facility or access to telehealth, and statistics on ZIP code area demographics, with breakdowns by urban, large rural, and small rural area.
Author(s): Peiyin Hung, Sophia N.D. Negaro, Rachel M. Hantman, et al.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
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Assessing Older Adult Behavioral Health Diagnoses in Oregon by Geographical Area, Physical Disability Status, and Age
Analyzes rural and urban variations in behavioral health diagnoses among older adults in Oregon, utilizing 2017-2021 Oregon Older Adult Behavioral Health Initiative data drawn from 5,123 consultation reports. Compares rural and urban diagnosis rates and behavioral health diagnosis types, with further data breakdowns for select demographics.
Author(s): N.F. Parsons, Allyson Stodola, Ellis Hews, et al.
Citation: Aging & Mental Health, 30(1), 167-175
Date: 06/2025
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Analyzes rural and urban variations in behavioral health diagnoses among older adults in Oregon, utilizing 2017-2021 Oregon Older Adult Behavioral Health Initiative data drawn from 5,123 consultation reports. Compares rural and urban diagnosis rates and behavioral health diagnosis types, with further data breakdowns for select demographics.
Author(s): N.F. Parsons, Allyson Stodola, Ellis Hews, et al.
Citation: Aging & Mental Health, 30(1), 167-175
Date: 06/2025
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Rural–Urban Disparities in Perinatal Smoking in the United States: Trends and Determinants
Analyzes rural versus urban disparities in perinatal smoking. Utilizes 2009-2021 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data to examine differences in smoking status according to rurality, region, demographics, social indicators, and more.
Author(s): Patricia Da Rosa, Matthias Richter
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(6), 895
Date: 06/2025
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Analyzes rural versus urban disparities in perinatal smoking. Utilizes 2009-2021 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data to examine differences in smoking status according to rurality, region, demographics, social indicators, and more.
Author(s): Patricia Da Rosa, Matthias Richter
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(6), 895
Date: 06/2025
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Patient-Centered Medical Homes: How the Federally Supported Model Minimizes Healthcare Access Disparities for Older Adults in Rural Areas
Examines the impact of the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model on healthcare access in the southern United States. Utilizes data from 746 older adults to analyze access to healthcare, with breakdowns according to PCMH use, demographics, and rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Elisa M. Childs, Orion Mowbray
Citation: INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 62
Date: 06/2025
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Examines the impact of the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model on healthcare access in the southern United States. Utilizes data from 746 older adults to analyze access to healthcare, with breakdowns according to PCMH use, demographics, and rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Elisa M. Childs, Orion Mowbray
Citation: INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 62
Date: 06/2025
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Assessing Temporal Changes in Spatially-Varying Disparities in Tobacco Retailer Density across Ohio
Examines how tobacco retailer density (TRD) across Ohio contributes to disparities in tobacco use. Utilizes 2017-2022 geocoded data on TBD, with breakdowns according to census tract sociodemographic characteristics and urban, suburban, or rural neighborhood type.
Author(s): Rui Qiang, Peter F. Craigmile, Wendy Hyde, Abby Shores, Megan E. Roberts
Citation: Ohio Journal of Public Health, 7(2)
Date: 06/2025
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Examines how tobacco retailer density (TRD) across Ohio contributes to disparities in tobacco use. Utilizes 2017-2022 geocoded data on TBD, with breakdowns according to census tract sociodemographic characteristics and urban, suburban, or rural neighborhood type.
Author(s): Rui Qiang, Peter F. Craigmile, Wendy Hyde, Abby Shores, Megan E. Roberts
Citation: Ohio Journal of Public Health, 7(2)
Date: 06/2025
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A Comparison of Classifications for Geographic Location and Their Associations with Tobacco Use among US Adults
Details a study on the differences in 2 different rural classification in rates of cigarette, e-cigarette, and smokeless tobacco usage. Compares U.S. Census Bureau's definition of urban and rural areas with the National Center for Education Statistics' urban/suburban/town/rural classification.
Author(s): Jenny E. Ozga, Andrea Milstred, Melissa D. Blank, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(3), e70070
Date: 06/2025
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Details a study on the differences in 2 different rural classification in rates of cigarette, e-cigarette, and smokeless tobacco usage. Compares U.S. Census Bureau's definition of urban and rural areas with the National Center for Education Statistics' urban/suburban/town/rural classification.
Author(s): Jenny E. Ozga, Andrea Milstred, Melissa D. Blank, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(3), e70070
Date: 06/2025
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Lifespan Exposures to Rural-Urban Conditions and Later-Life Cognitive Function
Examines associations between rural or urban residence during childhood and adulthood and cognitive outcomes, including mild cognitive impairment and dementia, among older adults, utilizing 2016 Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP) data of 3496 individuals aged 65 years or older.
Author(s): Lingzhi Chu, Yingyan Wu, Heidi Karjalainen, Olivia E Atherton
Citation: Alzheimer's & Dementia, 21(6), e70267
Date: 06/2025
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Examines associations between rural or urban residence during childhood and adulthood and cognitive outcomes, including mild cognitive impairment and dementia, among older adults, utilizing 2016 Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP) data of 3496 individuals aged 65 years or older.
Author(s): Lingzhi Chu, Yingyan Wu, Heidi Karjalainen, Olivia E Atherton
Citation: Alzheimer's & Dementia, 21(6), e70267
Date: 06/2025
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Logistic and Time Burdens Reported by Gynecologic and Breast Cancer Survivors
Examines logistic and time burdens of cancer care in breast and gynecologic cancer survivors. Analyzes survey feedback from 224 participants related to travel time, wait time, and trips to the cancer center, with data breakdowns according to patient's employment, education, cancer type and treatment status, dependent status, income, and rural versus urban residence. Discusses the impact of cancer care on time for other activities.
Author(s): Allison C. Dona, Aisha Ambo, Patricia Jewett, et al.
Citation: BMC Women's Health, 25, 273
Date: 06/2025
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Examines logistic and time burdens of cancer care in breast and gynecologic cancer survivors. Analyzes survey feedback from 224 participants related to travel time, wait time, and trips to the cancer center, with data breakdowns according to patient's employment, education, cancer type and treatment status, dependent status, income, and rural versus urban residence. Discusses the impact of cancer care on time for other activities.
Author(s): Allison C. Dona, Aisha Ambo, Patricia Jewett, et al.
Citation: BMC Women's Health, 25, 273
Date: 06/2025
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Economic Factors Associated With County-Level Mental Health – United States, 2019
Explores the correlation between economic factors, such as household income, education, and supplemental income and nutritional support, and county-level mental health. Breaks down economic factors, such as employment, income and wealth, and expenses by rural and urban location.
Author(s): Michele L.F. Bolduc, Parya Saberi, Torsten B. Neilands, et al.
Citation: PLoS One, 20(6), e0300939
Date: 06/2025
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Explores the correlation between economic factors, such as household income, education, and supplemental income and nutritional support, and county-level mental health. Breaks down economic factors, such as employment, income and wealth, and expenses by rural and urban location.
Author(s): Michele L.F. Bolduc, Parya Saberi, Torsten B. Neilands, et al.
Citation: PLoS One, 20(6), e0300939
Date: 06/2025
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Primary Care Screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections in the United States from 2019 to 2021
Examines the impact of COVID-19 on sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing in primary care settings from 2019-2021. Analyzes data from 4,410,609 patient encounters recorded in the PRIME Registry and observes testing rates according to STI type, patient demographics, patient region and community type, and metropolitan, micropolitan, small town, or rural location.
Author(s): Shiying Hao, Esther E. Velásquez, William S. Pearson, et al.
Citation: PLOS ONE, 20(6)
Date: 06/2025
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Examines the impact of COVID-19 on sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing in primary care settings from 2019-2021. Analyzes data from 4,410,609 patient encounters recorded in the PRIME Registry and observes testing rates according to STI type, patient demographics, patient region and community type, and metropolitan, micropolitan, small town, or rural location.
Author(s): Shiying Hao, Esther E. Velásquez, William S. Pearson, et al.
Citation: PLOS ONE, 20(6)
Date: 06/2025
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