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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

A Comparison of Rural and Urban Differences in Geographic Proximity to Outpatient Stroke Rehabilitation Services in Tennessee
Examines distance and travel time disparities for outpatient stroke rehabilitation (OSR) services in rural and urban areas of Tennessee. Analyzes 185 facilities for OSR and provides rural versus urban median travel distance and time according to OSR service type. Includes county-level maps showing mean travel distance by kilometers.
Author(s): Phoebe M. Tran, Benjamin Fogelson, Robert E. Heidel, Raj Baljepally
Citation: Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention 45(1), 65-71
Date: 01/2025
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Health Differences Between Rural and Non-Rural Texas Counties Based on 2023 County Health Rankings
Examines rural versus nonrural counties in Texas by health outcomes and factors. Utilizes 2023 County Health Rankings data to explore county-level health disparities and includes maps showing health insurance, poverty, length and quality of life, socioeconomic factors, physical environment, health behavior, and clinical care ratings by county.
Author(s): Elizabeth Ekren, Shadi Maleki, Cristian Curran, Cassidy Watkins, Melinda M. Villagran
Citation: BMC Health Services Research, 25, 2
Date: 01/2025
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Proximity to Cancer Rehabilitation and Exercise Oncology by Geography, Race, and Socioeconomic Status
Examines the proximity to cancer rehabilitation and exercise oncology (CR/EO) programs and the health impacts of access. Utilizes 2020 American Community Survey (ACS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data to analyze 2,133 CR/EO programs, with breakdowns according to CR/EO distance, density, rural versus urban location, race/ethnicity, social deprivation index, U.S. region, and cancer incidence and mortality. Includes U.S. maps showing location of CR/EO programs and areas with or without proximity to programs.
Author(s): Kathryn H. Schmitz, Kathryn Demanelis, Mary E. Crisafio, et al.
Citation: Cancer: An International Interdisciplinary Journal of the American Cancer Society, 131(1)
Date: 01/2025
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2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of US and Global Data From the American Heart Association
Compiles national data on heart disease, stroke, and health behaviors and other factors affecting cardiovascular health. Mentions demographic health disparities throughout, including rural-urban health disparities.
Author(s): Seth S. Martin, Aaron W. Aday, Norrina B. Allen, et al.
Citation: Circulation, 151:e1-e620
Date: 01/2025
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Association Between Rurality and Race/Ethnicity and Pediatric Cancer Early Mortality: A Population-Based Cohort Study Using SEER Data from 2000 to 2021
Examines the relationship among early mortality in pediatric cancer patients, rurality, and race/ethnicity. Utilizes 2000-2021 SEER Research Plus Limited-Field data to examine 138,648 patients and the factors contributing to mortality within 12 months of diagnosis. Discusses health disparities for rural and non-White populations.
Author(s): Kiersten Preuss, Emma Hymel, Melissa Acquazzino, Shinobu Watanabe-Galloway
Citation: Pediatric Blood & Cancer, 73(3), e31520
Date: 01/2025
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Preliminary Birth Report Kansas, 2023
Provides 2023 county-level data on live births/maternal age in Kansas, with further breakdowns by frontier, rural, densely-settled rural, semi-urban, and urban location.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: Kansas Department of Health and Environment
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Minnesota Chartbook Section 6: Uninsurance, Forgone Care, and the Safety Net
Reports on uninsurance trends in Minnesota from 2007 to 2023. Discusses statewide measures, population groups, characteristics and potential access to coverage of the uninsured, and uncompensated care. Includes charts showing rural versus urban hospital uncompensated care expenses.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health
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California State Health Assessment Core Module 2025 Update
Provides data on a variety of health conditions and demographics as part of California's annual State Health Assessment (SHA). Offers data on statewide trends in mortality, disability, social determinants of health, mental health, and rural health. Includes rural-urban data comparisons for select topics.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: California Department of Public Health
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Maternal Mortality in Tennessee: Annual Report 2025
Findings from Tennessee's review of maternal deaths, focusing on pregnancy-related deaths from 2017-2023. Examines trends, leading causes, contributing factors, and disparities, and outlines recommendations to reduce pregnancy-related deaths and improve maternal health outcomes. Includes information on on pregnancy-related mortality rate by social drivers of health by rural or urban residence on PDF page 18.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Tennessee Department of Health
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America's Health Rankings 2025 Health of Women and Children Report
Provides a national and state-by-state overview of the health of infants, children, and women of reproductive age. Compares rural-urban differences in mortality, severe morbidity, healthcare access, substance use, mental health conditions, and more among reproductive-age women at the national level, including a spotlight on chronic conditions among women in rural communities on document page 3. Includes maps that show concentrated disadvantage by county within each state.
Additional links: Concentrated Disadvantage by County, State Summaries
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
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