Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Schools
The Impact of Nutrition Training Programs on Knowledge, Confidence, and Behavioral Intention Among School Nutrition Professionals
Examines training programs for rural school nutrition professionals (SNPs) that include flexible scheduling and considerations related to staff and resource shortages. Utilizes observational data and pre- and post-training evaluations to analyze SNP knowledge and confidence to implement new culinary behaviors after the virtual and in-person flexible training format.
Author(s): Wenhao Zhang, Brianna Routh, Molly Stenberg, Haley Scott
Citation: Journal of School Health
Date: 08/2025
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Examines training programs for rural school nutrition professionals (SNPs) that include flexible scheduling and considerations related to staff and resource shortages. Utilizes observational data and pre- and post-training evaluations to analyze SNP knowledge and confidence to implement new culinary behaviors after the virtual and in-person flexible training format.
Author(s): Wenhao Zhang, Brianna Routh, Molly Stenberg, Haley Scott
Citation: Journal of School Health
Date: 08/2025
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Improving Access to Specialty Care for Rural Children Using Enhanced Hearing Screening and Specialty Telehealth Follow-Up in Rural Kentucky Schools: Protocol for a Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Stepped Wedge, Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial (Appalachian STAR Trial)
A study protocol for the Appalachian Specialty Telemedicine Access for Referrals (STAR) trial which aims to improve access to specialty hearing care for children living in rural Kentucky. Focuses on school hearing screenings of kindergartners and follow-up referrals to specialty care.
Author(s): Tarika Srinivasan, Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Elizabeth Turner, et al.
Citation: JMIR Research Protocols, 14
Date: 08/2025
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A study protocol for the Appalachian Specialty Telemedicine Access for Referrals (STAR) trial which aims to improve access to specialty hearing care for children living in rural Kentucky. Focuses on school hearing screenings of kindergartners and follow-up referrals to specialty care.
Author(s): Tarika Srinivasan, Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Elizabeth Turner, et al.
Citation: JMIR Research Protocols, 14
Date: 08/2025
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Hoosier Sport Re-Social: A Protocol for Developing a Biopsychosocial Body Satisfaction Intervention in Rural Indiana
Provides a study protocol for an intervention aimed at improving body satisfaction, healthy social media use, and positive exercise behaviors in adolescent girls living in rural Indiana. Discusses plans to examine adolescent self-esteem and physical activity levels, create a community co-design intervention, and conduct a mixed-methods pilot study within physical and health education classes.
Author(s): Janette M. Watkins, Janelle M. Goss, Vanessa M. Martinez Kercher, et al.
Citation: Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 11, 113
Date: 08/2025
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Provides a study protocol for an intervention aimed at improving body satisfaction, healthy social media use, and positive exercise behaviors in adolescent girls living in rural Indiana. Discusses plans to examine adolescent self-esteem and physical activity levels, create a community co-design intervention, and conduct a mixed-methods pilot study within physical and health education classes.
Author(s): Janette M. Watkins, Janelle M. Goss, Vanessa M. Martinez Kercher, et al.
Citation: Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 11, 113
Date: 08/2025
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Maintenance of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Behaviors Among Adolescents and Their Caregivers: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
Examines intake of sugar-sweetened beverages among rural, Central Appalachian students and their caregivers at 19 months after their participation in the Kids SIPsmartER behavior-change intervention, which focused on reducing intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) via classroom-based lessons for middle school students and an SMS strategy for their caregivers.
Author(s): Annie Reid, Wen You, Theresa Markwalter, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22, 240520
Date: 06/2025
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Examines intake of sugar-sweetened beverages among rural, Central Appalachian students and their caregivers at 19 months after their participation in the Kids SIPsmartER behavior-change intervention, which focused on reducing intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) via classroom-based lessons for middle school students and an SMS strategy for their caregivers.
Author(s): Annie Reid, Wen You, Theresa Markwalter, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22, 240520
Date: 06/2025
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Spotlighting Programs: A Panel Discussion on Exceptional Nutrition Service Delivery
A recorded webinar that focuses on successful nutrition service delivery in Head Start programs across the United States. Highlights actionable strategies from the various food delivery services, including programming specific to rural, remote, and geographically dispersed areas.
Additional links: Webinar Slides
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Children and Families
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A recorded webinar that focuses on successful nutrition service delivery in Head Start programs across the United States. Highlights actionable strategies from the various food delivery services, including programming specific to rural, remote, and geographically dispersed areas.
Additional links: Webinar Slides
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Children and Families
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Federal and State Reimbursement for Youth Behavioral Health Services
Report details Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage of behavioral health services for rural people under 21 years of age. Breaks down reimbursement eligibility for behavioral health providers in all 50 states and discusses barriers to access in rural areas.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Report details Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage of behavioral health services for rural people under 21 years of age. Breaks down reimbursement eligibility for behavioral health providers in all 50 states and discusses barriers to access in rural areas.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Assessing the Needs of Rural Families Affected by the Opioid Crisis: Issue Brief and Recommendations to the Secretary
Explores the considerations for addressing social determinants of health that influence opioid use disorder (OUD) and the role of community efforts in prevention, treatment, and recovery in rural areas, with a focus on prevention efforts in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Discusses youth and family prevention and well-being; stigma; adverse childhood experience; school-based health centers and youth and family resource centers; access to stable housing, food, and other social supports; the importance of trusted community resources for support; and workforce. Offers recommendations related to reducing stigma and promoting the enhanced utilization of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) to help rural communities address OUD and substance use disorders.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Explores the considerations for addressing social determinants of health that influence opioid use disorder (OUD) and the role of community efforts in prevention, treatment, and recovery in rural areas, with a focus on prevention efforts in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Discusses youth and family prevention and well-being; stigma; adverse childhood experience; school-based health centers and youth and family resource centers; access to stable housing, food, and other social supports; the importance of trusted community resources for support; and workforce. Offers recommendations related to reducing stigma and promoting the enhanced utilization of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) to help rural communities address OUD and substance use disorders.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Disparities in Allergy and Asthma Prevalence among Schoolteachers
Examines prevalence of allergic and respiratory symptoms among 398 schoolteachers in Massachusetts. Includes comparisons between teachers in rural, suburban, and urban schools for health behaviors and factors associated with adverse breathing symptoms, including headache, sleep apnea, food allergy, nighttime awakening, sore throat, and more.
Author(s): Hana B. Ruran, Briana L. Mallouh, Lisa M. Bartnikas, Wanda Phipatanakul, Abhinav Kaushik
Citation: The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 155(1), 223-227
Date: 01/2025
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Examines prevalence of allergic and respiratory symptoms among 398 schoolteachers in Massachusetts. Includes comparisons between teachers in rural, suburban, and urban schools for health behaviors and factors associated with adverse breathing symptoms, including headache, sleep apnea, food allergy, nighttime awakening, sore throat, and more.
Author(s): Hana B. Ruran, Briana L. Mallouh, Lisa M. Bartnikas, Wanda Phipatanakul, Abhinav Kaushik
Citation: The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 155(1), 223-227
Date: 01/2025
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A Multi-State Evaluation of Agricultural Safety Learning through Secondary Students' Supervised Agricultural Experience Journal Entries
Analyzes student work-based journal reflections to assess the influence of an agricultural machinery safety training for high school students in Montana, Utah, and South Dakota. Discusses the association between instructor training and student safety journaling.
Author(s): Scott W. Smalley, Dustin K. Perry, Rebecca G. Lawver, et al.
Citation: Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health, 31(3), 245-256
Date: 2025
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Analyzes student work-based journal reflections to assess the influence of an agricultural machinery safety training for high school students in Montana, Utah, and South Dakota. Discusses the association between instructor training and student safety journaling.
Author(s): Scott W. Smalley, Dustin K. Perry, Rebecca G. Lawver, et al.
Citation: Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health, 31(3), 245-256
Date: 2025
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Factors Associated with Early Sexual Onset and Delaying Sex in Rural Middle School Youth
Examines results from a survey administered prior to a sexual health program aimed at rural middle school youth. Analyzes data from 6,799 students and the variables related to abstinence, sexual health knowledge, parental communication, intentions to abstain from sexual activity, and more. Discusses impacts of access to comprehensive and trauma-informed sex education.
Author(s): Teresa M. Imburgia, Devon J. Hensel, Abby Hunt, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 2025
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Examines results from a survey administered prior to a sexual health program aimed at rural middle school youth. Analyzes data from 6,799 students and the variables related to abstinence, sexual health knowledge, parental communication, intentions to abstain from sexual activity, and more. Discusses impacts of access to comprehensive and trauma-informed sex education.
Author(s): Teresa M. Imburgia, Devon J. Hensel, Abby Hunt, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 2025
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