Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Statistics and data
Exploring Associations Between Well-Being, Mental Distress, and Five Dimensions of Social Capital in Rural Georgia
Explores the role social capital plays in supporting mental health and well-being in rural communities. Bases findings on surveys collected from residents of 6 rural counties in Georgia. Breaks down findings by rates of mental health and well-being by dimension of social capital: trust, diversity of interactions, reciprocity, civic engagement, and voting.
Author(s): Alexis Joanna Smith, Lauren M Bigger, Robin E McGee, et al.
Citation: Family and Community Health, 49(3), 192-196
Date: 07/2026
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Explores the role social capital plays in supporting mental health and well-being in rural communities. Bases findings on surveys collected from residents of 6 rural counties in Georgia. Breaks down findings by rates of mental health and well-being by dimension of social capital: trust, diversity of interactions, reciprocity, civic engagement, and voting.
Author(s): Alexis Joanna Smith, Lauren M Bigger, Robin E McGee, et al.
Citation: Family and Community Health, 49(3), 192-196
Date: 07/2026
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Broadband Access and Ophthalmologist Density in the United States: Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study
Examines the relationship between broadband access and ophthalmologist density according to urbancity and county-level demographic variables. Utilizes 2019 data from multiple national data sources and provides county-level U.S. maps showing ophthalmologist density, broadband access, and counties with both low broadband and ophthalmologist access.
Author(s): Patrick Akarapimand, John C. Lin, Ingrid U. Scott, Sally L. Baxter
Citation: JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, 12, e88473
Date: 05/2026
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Examines the relationship between broadband access and ophthalmologist density according to urbancity and county-level demographic variables. Utilizes 2019 data from multiple national data sources and provides county-level U.S. maps showing ophthalmologist density, broadband access, and counties with both low broadband and ophthalmologist access.
Author(s): Patrick Akarapimand, John C. Lin, Ingrid U. Scott, Sally L. Baxter
Citation: JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, 12, e88473
Date: 05/2026
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Differential Impact of the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program on Veterans Affairs Healthcare Utilization and Costs among Rural and Urban Veterans Experiencing Housing Instability
Presents a study examining differences in the impact of the VA's Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program on both healthcare utilization and costs for rural and urban veterans experiencing housing instability. Breaks down data by inpatient, outpatient, and emergency department utilization and costs for rural and urban, and SSVF and non-SSVF cohorts.
Author(s): Minkyoung Yoo, Alec B. Chapman, Ying Suo, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70167
Date: 05/2026
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Presents a study examining differences in the impact of the VA's Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program on both healthcare utilization and costs for rural and urban veterans experiencing housing instability. Breaks down data by inpatient, outpatient, and emergency department utilization and costs for rural and urban, and SSVF and non-SSVF cohorts.
Author(s): Minkyoung Yoo, Alec B. Chapman, Ying Suo, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70167
Date: 05/2026
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Tennessee's Community Health Worker Strategy Is Succeeding. Which State Will Be Next?
Discusses the role community health workers (CHWs) can play in improving healthcare outcomes and addressing unmet needs in both rural and urban communities. Details Tennessee's state-funded implementation of a evidence-based CHW infrastructure, and highlights the outcomes over the first two years of the program. Explores how this approach could be implemented in other states.
Author(s): Victor Wu, Brea Burke, Nikayla Boyd, et al.
Citation: Health Affairs Forefront
Date: 05/2026
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Discusses the role community health workers (CHWs) can play in improving healthcare outcomes and addressing unmet needs in both rural and urban communities. Details Tennessee's state-funded implementation of a evidence-based CHW infrastructure, and highlights the outcomes over the first two years of the program. Explores how this approach could be implemented in other states.
Author(s): Victor Wu, Brea Burke, Nikayla Boyd, et al.
Citation: Health Affairs Forefront
Date: 05/2026
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Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households: Fiscal Year 2024
Presents an overview of the SNAP Program eligibility requirements and benefit levels. Provides detailed tables showing comparisons in rural-urban areas. Coverage includes October 2023 through September 2024.
Author(s): Ben Ward, Mia Monkovic
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
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Presents an overview of the SNAP Program eligibility requirements and benefit levels. Provides detailed tables showing comparisons in rural-urban areas. Coverage includes October 2023 through September 2024.
Author(s): Ben Ward, Mia Monkovic
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
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Changes in Staffing, Resident Health, Closure, and Financial Performance of Rural Nursing Homes from 2017 to 2022
Examines changes in various characteristics of nursing homes, using data from 2017-2022. Features statistics with breakdowns by metropolitan, micropolitan, and small/isolated rural areas.
Author(s): Gulrukh Mehboob, Hari Sharma, Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Examines changes in various characteristics of nursing homes, using data from 2017-2022. Features statistics with breakdowns by metropolitan, micropolitan, and small/isolated rural areas.
Author(s): Gulrukh Mehboob, Hari Sharma, Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Determinants of Rural Hospital Closures or Conversions in the United States
Examines determinants leading to rural hospital closures or conversion to outpatient-only facilities. Provides data on hospital closures and conversions from 2012 to 2023 and analyzes potential determinants such as inpatient occupancy rates, ownership type, proximity to an urban county, profit margin, and more.
Author(s): Eden Volkov, Kaushik Ghosh, Steven Sheingold, Ge Bai
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Examines determinants leading to rural hospital closures or conversion to outpatient-only facilities. Provides data on hospital closures and conversions from 2012 to 2023 and analyzes potential determinants such as inpatient occupancy rates, ownership type, proximity to an urban county, profit margin, and more.
Author(s): Eden Volkov, Kaushik Ghosh, Steven Sheingold, Ge Bai
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Healthy Aging in Illinois, Metro vs. Nonmetro
Examines factors contributing to healthy aging in Illinois according to metro versus nonmetro county. Utilizes 2024 data from the American Community Survey and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and provides county rankings for healthy aging.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
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Examines factors contributing to healthy aging in Illinois according to metro versus nonmetro county. Utilizes 2024 data from the American Community Survey and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and provides county rankings for healthy aging.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
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The Economic Impact of North Carolina's Hospitals
Reports on the statewide and regional economic contributions of 113 hospitals across North Carolina. Features statistics including number of hospitals by county designation and number of beds, with breakdowns by nonmetropolitan, micropolitan, and metropolitan areas.
Additional links: Infographic, Technical Documentation
Author(s): Sara Nienow, Carly Dotson
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Healthcare Association
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Reports on the statewide and regional economic contributions of 113 hospitals across North Carolina. Features statistics including number of hospitals by county designation and number of beds, with breakdowns by nonmetropolitan, micropolitan, and metropolitan areas.
Additional links: Infographic, Technical Documentation
Author(s): Sara Nienow, Carly Dotson
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Healthcare Association
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Environmental Supports, Expectations, and Barriers to Leisure-Time Physical Activity During Pregnancy: A Rural–Urban Comparison
Discusses leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) during pregnancy among rural and urban populations. Utilizes data from 374 pregnant women regarding their LTPA and related environmental support for LTPA in the first trimester with data broken down according to demographics as well as urban, micropolitan, or small town rural location.
Author(s): Carly Williamson Rogers, Alex Crisp, Katrina Wilhite, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70166
Date: 05/2026
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Discusses leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) during pregnancy among rural and urban populations. Utilizes data from 374 pregnant women regarding their LTPA and related environmental support for LTPA in the first trimester with data broken down according to demographics as well as urban, micropolitan, or small town rural location.
Author(s): Carly Williamson Rogers, Alex Crisp, Katrina Wilhite, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70166
Date: 05/2026
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