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 Insititute
view details
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 Insititute
view details
Rural Population Reaches 46.2 Million in 2024
Bar chart comparing rural and urban population change and drivers of the changes between 2021 and 2024.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
view details
Bar chart comparing rural and urban population change and drivers of the changes between 2021 and 2024.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
view details
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
view details
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
view details
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
view details
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
view details
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
view details
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
view details
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
view details
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
view details
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
view details
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
view details
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
view details
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
view details
Vaccination Coverage by Age 24 Months Among Children Born in 2021 and 2022 — National Immunization Survey-Child, United States, 2022–2024
Examines vaccination coverage for selected vaccines and doses among children born in 2021-2022. Supplementary Table 2 includes data on vaccine coverage for metropolitan and nonmetro areas.
Additional links: Supplementary Table 2
Author(s): Holly A. Hill, David Yankey, Laurie D. Elam-Evans, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 75(11), 146-155
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
view details
Examines vaccination coverage for selected vaccines and doses among children born in 2021-2022. Supplementary Table 2 includes data on vaccine coverage for metropolitan and nonmetro areas.
Additional links: Supplementary Table 2
Author(s): Holly A. Hill, David Yankey, Laurie D. Elam-Evans, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 75(11), 146-155
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
view details
Dentist Workforce and Dental Care Utilization in the Rural and Urban U.S.
Describes the supply of general and specialist dentists in rural and urban counties in 2022. Explores dental care utilization and outcomes in 2019 by degree of rurality and patient characteristics. Discusses the implication of these findings on policies and interventions related the supply of dentists in rural areas.
Author(s): C. Holly A. Andrilla, Sara C. Woolcock, Lisa A. Garberson, et al.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
view details
Describes the supply of general and specialist dentists in rural and urban counties in 2022. Explores dental care utilization and outcomes in 2019 by degree of rurality and patient characteristics. Discusses the implication of these findings on policies and interventions related the supply of dentists in rural areas.
Author(s): C. Holly A. Andrilla, Sara C. Woolcock, Lisa A. Garberson, et al.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
view details