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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Statistics and data

Nicotine and Tobacco Product Use among US Youth in 10th and 12th Grade, 2023–2025: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study
Examines trends in youth nicotine, tobacco, and multi-product co-use. Utilizes 2023-2025 survey data from 10th and 12th graders and analyzes lifetime use and past 30-day use of various nicotine and tobacco products according to grade, demographics, parent education, and school location of urban, suburban/town, or rural.
Author(s): Dayoung Bae, Junhan Cho, Alyssa F. Harlow, et al.
Citation: The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, 65, 101673
Date: 01/2027
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How Do Services Offered Within Opioid Treatment Programs Vary Based on State Methadone Policies?
Examines the availability of opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in various states as well as access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) options, psychosocial services, and housing supports. Analyzes 1,501 opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and their characteristics, including state restrictiveness, services offered, facility type, rurality, and more.
Author(s): Zoe Lindenfeld, Noa Krawczyk, Erin A. Taylor, Denis Agniel, Jonathan H. Cantor
Citation: Journal of Substance Use & Addiction Treatment, 190, 210062
Date: 11/2026
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Rural America Grew During the Pandemic Era Because of Migration Gains
An issue brief that examines migration patterns from 2010 to 2025 across the rural continuum and county types. Discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality and population growth.
Author(s): Kenneth Johnson
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Carsey School of Public Policy
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Rural Hospital AI Use and Evaluation
Highlights a study exploring the rural and urban differences in the adoption, use, and evaluation of predictive artificial intelligence (AI) in U.S. hospitals. Bases findings on the 2023 American Hospital Association's Annual Survey Information Technology Supplement and compares AI usage across Critical Access Hospitals, Medicare-Dependent Hospitals, and Sole Community Hospitals, as well as by rural and urban location.
Author(s): Josiah A. Cruikshank, Brian E. Whitacre, Alison F. Davis
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(4), e70237
Date: 10/2026
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Patient-Provider Distance in Medicare Outpatient Oncology Telehealth Versus Office Visits, 2021‐2023: Cross-Sectional Claims Analysis
Presents a study exploring the use of telehealth to extend the patient-provider geographic reach for outpatient oncology-related visits in patients aged 66 or older. Draws data from Medicare Fee-For-Service claims to compare patient-provider distance for in-office and telehealth oncology visits, by rurality and U.S. Census region.
Author(s): Lingbo Liu, Tracy Onega, Erika L. Moen, et al.
Citation: JMIR Medical Informatics, 14, e95370
Date: 10/2026
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Annual Report to the Congress of the United States on Sanitation Deficiency Levels for Indian Homes and Communities: Fiscal Year 2025
Reports on sanitation deficiencies in tribal communities and describes efforts and priorities of the Indian Health Service to improve tribal water, sewer, and solid waste infrastructure. Includes data on estimated costs to address sanitation deficiencies, estimated health impacts, and healthcare costs avoided by infrastructure investment.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Indian Health Service
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Oklahoma Rural Health Transformation Program Legislative Quarterly Report: Q3 July 1 - Sept. 30, 2026
Provides a brief overview of the 29 programs that comprise Oklahoma's Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), including budget allocation, obligated funds, and implementation status through September 30, 2026. Includes highlights of activities conducted with RHTP funding between July 1 - September 30, 2026.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Oklahoma State Department of Health
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Physical Activity and Perceptions of the Community Walking Environment Among Cancer Survivors, National Health Interview Survey, 2024
Examines how physical activity among cancer survivors differs by clinical and demographic characteristics and by perceptions of the local walking environment, using 2024 National Health Interview Survey data. See Table 2 for data on leisure-time physical activity among cancer survivors by rurality, among other factors.
Author(s): Jonathan Bryant-Genevier, Michael Boring, Elizabeth A. Rohan, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23, 260220
Date: 10/2026
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People Living with Dementia in Rural Areas Are Most Likely to Report Unmet Service Needs in Home- and Community-based Services in the United States
Examines the relationship among home and community-based services (HCBS), dementia status, and rural versus urban location. Utilizes 2016-2019 National Core Indicators-Aging and Disability survey data to analyze 14,645 residents according to dementia status, sociodemographics, residential status and assistive care needs, and metropolitan, micropolitan, small town, or rural location. Discusses how location impacts access to HCBS for people living with dementia.
Author(s): Romil R. Parikh, Eric Jutkowitz, Jack M. Wolf, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(4), e70230
Date: 10/2026
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Hospice Visit Patterns Across Patient Demographic and Clinical Characteristics
Examines visit patterns among Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older enrolled in hospice, to help establish or evaluate benchmark visit standards, quality measures, care delivery practices, and workforce planning. Features statistics on characteristics of Medicare hospice enrollees from 2016-2021, with breakdowns by urban, large rural, small rural, and isolated small rural location.
Author(s): Lauren J. Hunt, Joanne Spetz, Siqi Gan, et al.
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(10), qxag271
Date: 10/2026
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