Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Statistics and data
Environmental Risk Factors and Iowa's Cancer Crisis: A 2026 Report
Reports on environmental factors influencing the high incidence of cancer in Iowa, including detailed discussion on cancer risks related to pesticides, PFAS, nitrates, radon, and other topics related to agricultural and industrial safety. Provides recommendations for strengthening environmental health in agricultural policy.
Author(s): Colleen Fowle, Sarah Howe, Kerri Johannsen, et al.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Iowa Environmental Council, The Harkin Institute
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Reports on environmental factors influencing the high incidence of cancer in Iowa, including detailed discussion on cancer risks related to pesticides, PFAS, nitrates, radon, and other topics related to agricultural and industrial safety. Provides recommendations for strengthening environmental health in agricultural policy.
Author(s): Colleen Fowle, Sarah Howe, Kerri Johannsen, et al.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Iowa Environmental Council, The Harkin Institute
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Growth in Medicare Advantage by Organizational Size Across Rural and Urban Counties
Explores changes in the Medicare Advantage (MA) markets in rural and urban counties. Draws findings from enrollment data from 2019-2026. Breaks down findings by rural, micropolitan, and metropolitan counties.
Author(s): Dan M Shane, Fred Ullrich, Keith J. Mueller
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70134
Date: 03/2026
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Explores changes in the Medicare Advantage (MA) markets in rural and urban counties. Draws findings from enrollment data from 2019-2026. Breaks down findings by rural, micropolitan, and metropolitan counties.
Author(s): Dan M Shane, Fred Ullrich, Keith J. Mueller
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70134
Date: 03/2026
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Profiles of Non-Medical Drivers and Health Burden Associated With Care Seeking Among Rural Women
Examines social, demographic, and geographic determinants of health impacting women's health in 29 rural Texas counties. Analyzes survey data from 159 participants and provides data on health burden, health-related social needs, and geographic access to care.
Author(s): Elizabeth Ekren, Saksham Adhikari, Shadi Maleki, et al.
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 17
Date: 03/2026
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Examines social, demographic, and geographic determinants of health impacting women's health in 29 rural Texas counties. Analyzes survey data from 159 participants and provides data on health burden, health-related social needs, and geographic access to care.
Author(s): Elizabeth Ekren, Saksham Adhikari, Shadi Maleki, et al.
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 17
Date: 03/2026
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Who is Benefiting from the Dramatic Decline in U.S. Cancer Mortality? Place-Based Evidence of Disparities in Rates of Improvement
Analyzes how improvements in cancer mortality between 1991 and 2019 varied by geography, using CDC WONDER data. Includes data comparisons by U.S. region, income level, and rurality at the county level.
Author(s): Arthur G. Cosby, Viswadeep Lebakula, Karissa Bergene, et al.
Citation: British Journal of Cancer
Date: 03/2026
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Analyzes how improvements in cancer mortality between 1991 and 2019 varied by geography, using CDC WONDER data. Includes data comparisons by U.S. region, income level, and rurality at the county level.
Author(s): Arthur G. Cosby, Viswadeep Lebakula, Karissa Bergene, et al.
Citation: British Journal of Cancer
Date: 03/2026
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Expanding Access to Low-Barrier Opioid Use Disorder Treatment in Non-Traditional Settings: Washington's Opioid Treatment Network
Presents a study exploring use of opioid treatment networks to provide low-barrier access to medications to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD) in Washington State. Compares rates of buprenorohine utilization of individuals within and outside of the network and by rural-urban residence.
Author(s): Shay M. Daily, Sharon Reif, Elizabeth Speaker, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70139
Date: 03/2026
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Presents a study exploring use of opioid treatment networks to provide low-barrier access to medications to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD) in Washington State. Compares rates of buprenorohine utilization of individuals within and outside of the network and by rural-urban residence.
Author(s): Shay M. Daily, Sharon Reif, Elizabeth Speaker, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70139
Date: 03/2026
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Vermont Cancer Surveillance: Data Pages
Presents data related to cancer, cancer prevention, and risk factors that can elevate the risk of cancer among Vermonters. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Vermont Department of Health
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Presents data related to cancer, cancer prevention, and risk factors that can elevate the risk of cancer among Vermonters. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Vermont Department of Health
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Characterizing Early Adopters of the Rural Emergency Hospital Designation
Compares 42 hospitals that have received Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designations to the 447 REH-eligible hospitals that have not converted to identify characteristics of early converters. Characteristics evaluated include Critical Access Hospital status, ownership and affiliations, healthcare utilization, staffing, available services, and finances.
Author(s): Jonah M. Graves, R.J. Waken, Fengxian Wang, Paula Chatterjee, Karen E. Joynt Maddox
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(3)
Date: 03/2026
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Compares 42 hospitals that have received Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designations to the 447 REH-eligible hospitals that have not converted to identify characteristics of early converters. Characteristics evaluated include Critical Access Hospital status, ownership and affiliations, healthcare utilization, staffing, available services, and finances.
Author(s): Jonah M. Graves, R.J. Waken, Fengxian Wang, Paula Chatterjee, Karen E. Joynt Maddox
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(3)
Date: 03/2026
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Effect of Medicaid Audio-Only Telehealth Coverage Policy on Mental Health Visits in Federally Qualified Health Centers
Examines the impact of Medicaid audio-only coverage (MAOC) and telehealth policy on mental health usage at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Utilizes 2016-2022 FQHC-level Uniform Data Systems (UDS) data to analyze mental health visit rates and MAOC policy implementation according to rural versus urban location as well as presence or absence of a primary telemental health service.
Author(s): Khyathi Gadag, Kanika Arora, Brian Kaskie, Whitney E. Zahnd
Citation: Health Services Research, 61(2), e70107
Date: 03/2026
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Examines the impact of Medicaid audio-only coverage (MAOC) and telehealth policy on mental health usage at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Utilizes 2016-2022 FQHC-level Uniform Data Systems (UDS) data to analyze mental health visit rates and MAOC policy implementation according to rural versus urban location as well as presence or absence of a primary telemental health service.
Author(s): Khyathi Gadag, Kanika Arora, Brian Kaskie, Whitney E. Zahnd
Citation: Health Services Research, 61(2), e70107
Date: 03/2026
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A Comparative Analysis of Visual Field Test Results Using Tablet-Based and Table-Mounted Devices in a Telemedicine Program Set in Underserved Areas
Describes the reliability and comparative accuracy of a tablet-based visual field (VF) assessment compared to the standard Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer (HFA) among 253 Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) patients in rural Alabama. Discusses the potential implications of the findings on increasing access to eye care in rural primary care settings.
Author(s): Ellen K. Antwi-Adjei, Thomas A. Swain, Christopher A. Girkin, et al.
Citation: Translational Vision Science & Technology, 15(3), 29
Date: 03/2026
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Describes the reliability and comparative accuracy of a tablet-based visual field (VF) assessment compared to the standard Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer (HFA) among 253 Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) patients in rural Alabama. Discusses the potential implications of the findings on increasing access to eye care in rural primary care settings.
Author(s): Ellen K. Antwi-Adjei, Thomas A. Swain, Christopher A. Girkin, et al.
Citation: Translational Vision Science & Technology, 15(3), 29
Date: 03/2026
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Slow Growth Impacts Nation's Largest Counties Hardest: Diminishing Population Gains in Metro Areas Highlight Nationwide Trend
Discusses how county-level population growth varied between 2023-2024 and 2024-2025, with data breakdowns by level of rurality and for specific metropolitan and micropolitan areas.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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Discusses how county-level population growth varied between 2023-2024 and 2024-2025, with data breakdowns by level of rurality and for specific metropolitan and micropolitan areas.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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