Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Statistics and data
Emergency Department Visits and Deaths Due to ATV Crashes - Alaska, 2019 - 2024
Describes the geographic distribution, age range, and injury type of 4,421 all-terrain vehicle (ATVs) related emergency department visits in Alaska between 2019 and 2024. Discusses frequent use of ATVs in rural Alaska and offers safety messaging for use in intervention initiatives.
Author(s): Joe McLaughlin, Jared Parrish
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Alaska Department of Health
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Describes the geographic distribution, age range, and injury type of 4,421 all-terrain vehicle (ATVs) related emergency department visits in Alaska between 2019 and 2024. Discusses frequent use of ATVs in rural Alaska and offers safety messaging for use in intervention initiatives.
Author(s): Joe McLaughlin, Jared Parrish
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Alaska Department of Health
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National Association of Rural Health Clinics 2026 Policy Survey Report
Summarizes results of a 2026 national survey of Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). Presents data on the average payer mix, telehealth use and management trends, Medicare Advantage (MA) contracts and reimbursement rates compared to traditional Medicare rates, value-based care participation, challenges, and more.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Summarizes results of a 2026 national survey of Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). Presents data on the average payer mix, telehealth use and management trends, Medicare Advantage (MA) contracts and reimbursement rates compared to traditional Medicare rates, value-based care participation, challenges, and more.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Characteristics of Firearm Injuries among Rural-Versus Urban-Residing Veterans Who Presented to VA Healthcare, 2010-2019
Presents a study using administrative data and electronic health records from VA health systems to compare firearm injuries among rural and urban veterans. Breaks down rural and urban veteran data by patient characteristics, such as age, marital status, and behavioral health diagnoses, among others.
Author(s): AnnaMarie S. O'Neill, Lauren A. Maxim, Tess A. Gilbert, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70153
Date: 04/2026
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Presents a study using administrative data and electronic health records from VA health systems to compare firearm injuries among rural and urban veterans. Breaks down rural and urban veteran data by patient characteristics, such as age, marital status, and behavioral health diagnoses, among others.
Author(s): AnnaMarie S. O'Neill, Lauren A. Maxim, Tess A. Gilbert, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70153
Date: 04/2026
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Coping Power-Rural: A Pilot Study of the Two-Tiered Preventive Intervention Focused on Addressing Transdiagnostic Needs in Rural Schools
Examines a pilot study of the Coping Power-Rural program, a mental health program designed for elementary and middle school students living in rural areas. Reports on the impact of the program with pre- and post-test data from school staff and students, focused on issues such as conduct problems, internalizing problems, teacher efficacy, burnout, family involvement, and more.
Author(s): Catherine P. Bradshaw, Courtney G. Newman, Katelyn Birchfield, et al.
Citation: School Mental Health
Date: 04/2026
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Examines a pilot study of the Coping Power-Rural program, a mental health program designed for elementary and middle school students living in rural areas. Reports on the impact of the program with pre- and post-test data from school staff and students, focused on issues such as conduct problems, internalizing problems, teacher efficacy, burnout, family involvement, and more.
Author(s): Catherine P. Bradshaw, Courtney G. Newman, Katelyn Birchfield, et al.
Citation: School Mental Health
Date: 04/2026
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Driver Electronic Device Use in 2024
National data on driver use of electronic devices from 2015-2024. Features statistics on percentage of drivers holding cellphones to their ears, speaking with visible headsets, and visibly manipulating handheld devices while driving, with breakdowns including age, sex, race, and urban or rural location. Includes tables listing states banning texting and use of handheld cellphones while driving, as of June 2024.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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National data on driver use of electronic devices from 2015-2024. Features statistics on percentage of drivers holding cellphones to their ears, speaking with visible headsets, and visibly manipulating handheld devices while driving, with breakdowns including age, sex, race, and urban or rural location. Includes tables listing states banning texting and use of handheld cellphones while driving, as of June 2024.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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Occupant Restraint Use in 2024: Results From the NOPUS Controlled Intersection Study
Presents results from the 2024 National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) Controlled Intersection Study. Features statistics from 2023 and 2024 including child restraint use by age, with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Author(s): Lacey B. Werth
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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Presents results from the 2024 National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) Controlled Intersection Study. Features statistics from 2023 and 2024 including child restraint use by age, with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Author(s): Lacey B. Werth
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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Medicare Payment for Rural or Geographically Isolated Hospitals, 2026
Displays data on Medicare payment adjustments for Sole Community Hospitals, Medicare-Dependent Hospitals, Low-Volume Hospitals, and Critical Access Hospitals. Includes information on the number of qualifying hospitals by state and eligibility criteria.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Displays data on Medicare payment adjustments for Sole Community Hospitals, Medicare-Dependent Hospitals, Low-Volume Hospitals, and Critical Access Hospitals. Includes information on the number of qualifying hospitals by state and eligibility criteria.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Associations of Occupational Exposures on Environmental Allergies Among Farmers and Ranchers in the Central United States
Explores demographics and occupational exposures associated with allergies among farmers in 7 states. Notes public health implications based on study findings and highlights opportunities for further research.
Author(s): Alexandrea Welch, Cheryl Beseler, Yi Du, Shaun Cross, Risto H. Rautiainen
Citation: Journal of Agromedicine, 2026
Date: 04/2026
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Explores demographics and occupational exposures associated with allergies among farmers in 7 states. Notes public health implications based on study findings and highlights opportunities for further research.
Author(s): Alexandrea Welch, Cheryl Beseler, Yi Du, Shaun Cross, Risto H. Rautiainen
Citation: Journal of Agromedicine, 2026
Date: 04/2026
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Payer Mix Shifts and Profitability at Critical Access Hospitals, 2011 to 2023
Analyzes 1,384 Critical Access Hospitals between 2011 and 2023 to determine the impact of changes in commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, and uncompensated care on their finances. Discusses reimbursement policy based on study findings.
Author(s): Yusheng Jia, Yue Li, Xueya Cai, Samuel J. Enumah
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(4)
Date: 04/2026
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Analyzes 1,384 Critical Access Hospitals between 2011 and 2023 to determine the impact of changes in commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, and uncompensated care on their finances. Discusses reimbursement policy based on study findings.
Author(s): Yusheng Jia, Yue Li, Xueya Cai, Samuel J. Enumah
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(4)
Date: 04/2026
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Medicare Wage Index Trends in Rural and Urban Hospitals Before and During the Low Wage Index Policy, 2018–2022
Provides an overview of the wage index and its role in hospital reimbursement and financial stability. Describes the pattern of wage index values for rural and urban prospective payment system (PPS) hospitals from 2018 to 2022. Explores the impact of the low-wage index policy (LWIP), which was implemented in fiscal year 2020, and the potential implications of its discontinuation in fiscal year 2025.
Author(s): Saleema Karim, George Pink, Kristie Thompson, Mark Holmes
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Provides an overview of the wage index and its role in hospital reimbursement and financial stability. Describes the pattern of wage index values for rural and urban prospective payment system (PPS) hospitals from 2018 to 2022. Explores the impact of the low-wage index policy (LWIP), which was implemented in fiscal year 2020, and the potential implications of its discontinuation in fiscal year 2025.
Author(s): Saleema Karim, George Pink, Kristie Thompson, Mark Holmes
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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