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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

County-Level Cervical Cancer Screening Coverage and Differences in Incidence and Mortality
Research letter analyzing differences in cervical cancer incidence and mortality by rates of screening at the county level, utilizing SEER-22 database data. Identifies associations between county-level rurality, low income, and low repeat screening coverage. Highlights counties in Texas, Idaho, and New Mexico counties with low screening coverage and discusses targeted screening efforts in underserved areas.
Author(s): Trisha L. Amboree, Jane R. Montealegre, Haluk Damgacioglu, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(8), e2526709
Date: 08/2025
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Washington Rural Obstetrical Workforce
Offers maps and tables of the obstetricians and advanced practice midwives workforce distribution in Washington in 2025. Includes county-level data and rural and urban comparisons.
Author(s): S.C. Woolcock, C.H.A. Andrilla, L.A. Garberson, J.M. Graves
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Washington Rural Primary Care Workforce
Offers maps and tables of the primary care workforce distribution in Georgia in 2025. Includes county-level data and rural and urban comparisons.
Author(s): S.C. Woolcock, C.H.A. Andrilla, L.A. Garberson, J.M. Graves
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Washington Rural Behavioral Health Workforce
Offers maps and tables of the supply and distribution of behavioral health clinicians in Washington State in 2025. Includes county-level data and rural and urban comparisons.
Author(s): S.C. Woolcock, C.H.A. Andrilla, L.A. Garberson, J.M. Graves
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Depressive Symptoms Among Rural Americans
Analyzes characteristics of individuals with depression in rural areas. Utilizes 2024 National Health Interview Survey data and examines metro versus nonmetro demographic profile of individuals with depression as well as their health-related behaviors, physical limitations, and functional impairments.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
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Geographic Disparities in Access to Outpatient Stroke Rehabilitation in Texas
Examines rural-urban disparities in access to and use of outpatient stroke rehabilitation services in Texas, utilizing 2016-2019 Medicare claims data in addition to a survey of Texas clinics.
Author(s): Joseph Wozny, Melissa Howard, Susan Doherty, et al.
Citation: PLOS ONE, 20(8), e0328267.
Date: 08/2025
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Rural and Urban Differences in Prostate Cancer Recurrence
Examines rates of prostate cancer recurrence among 778 rural and urban men, utilizing data from the North Carolina Prostate Cancer Comparative Effectiveness Survivor Study. Analyzes the association of rurality and other demographic and clinical factors with recurrence.
Author(s): Julia B. Balmaceda, Aaron J. Katz, Katelyn Kane, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(8), e2526912
Date: 08/2025
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The U.S. Dentist Workforce: Based on the Latest Available Data from Multiple Sources as of August 2025
Explores who makes up the dentist workforce, how and where dentists work, how practicing dentists are faring economically, and the future of the dentist workforce. Features statistics including the dentist-to-population ratio and average revenue per dentist, with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organizations: American Dental Association, Health Policy Institute
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Traffic Safety Facts, 2023 Data: State Traffic Data
Contains information on fatal motor vehicle crashes and fatalities, using data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System. Includes a state-level U.S. map showing percentage change in traffic fatalities from 2022-2023. Features state-by-state statistics on fatalities and fatality rates, percentage change from 1975-2023, population and vehicle miles traveled in 2014 and 2023, registered vehicles and licensed drivers in 2014 and 2023, vehicle type, restraint use, passenger fatalities, alcohol use and survivor status, and speeding-related fatalities by roadway function class, with breakdowns including interstate rural and urban interstate.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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Rural Beneficiary Access to Medicare Advantage-Part D Plans
Policy brief updating RUPRI's analysis of Medicare Advantage-Part D plans (MA-PDs) including enhanced benefit plan availability and differences in characteristics across metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore areas. Features statistics including number of MA-PDs and stand-alone prescription drug plans (PDPs), average monthly premium costs, and availability in metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore areas from 2008-2023.
Author(s): Edmer Lazaro, Dan M. Shane, Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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