Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Statistics and data
A Novel Approach to Incorporate Frontier Areas Into Urban–Rural Geographic Classifications: Integrated Metropolitan-to-Frontier Area Codes
Explores an effort to develop a rural-urban classification that captures the remoteness of frontier areas. Details the tract-level Integrated Metropolitan-to-Frontier Area Codes (tlMFAC), a combination of the USDA's Frontier and Remote Area (FAR) definition and the Rural-Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) Codes. Discusses the conceptual framework for tlMFAC and the census tract-level results of applying the definition nationally.
Author(s): Brody J. Gibson, Elizabeth Dobis, John Cromartie, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(4), e70102
Date: 11/2025
view details
Explores an effort to develop a rural-urban classification that captures the remoteness of frontier areas. Details the tract-level Integrated Metropolitan-to-Frontier Area Codes (tlMFAC), a combination of the USDA's Frontier and Remote Area (FAR) definition and the Rural-Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) Codes. Discusses the conceptual framework for tlMFAC and the census tract-level results of applying the definition nationally.
Author(s): Brody J. Gibson, Elizabeth Dobis, John Cromartie, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(4), e70102
Date: 11/2025
view details
Current and Maximum Acceptable Travel Times to Primary Care Among US Older Adults
Explores the threshold of travel time at which it becomes a barrier to primary care access and for which groups. Uses data from a study conducted in February 2025 of adults age 50 and older. Features demographics and statistics with breakdowns by urban, suburban, and rural or other areas.
Author(s): Tabasa Ozawa, Ying Liu, Soeren Mattke
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(11), e2545280
Date: 11/2025
view details
Explores the threshold of travel time at which it becomes a barrier to primary care access and for which groups. Uses data from a study conducted in February 2025 of adults age 50 and older. Features demographics and statistics with breakdowns by urban, suburban, and rural or other areas.
Author(s): Tabasa Ozawa, Ying Liu, Soeren Mattke
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(11), e2545280
Date: 11/2025
view details
Gaps in Artificial Intelligence Research for Rural Health in the United States: A Scoping Review
Presents a scoping review exploring the extent of research on artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare in rural communities. Discusses the application of AI in rural US healthcare and challenges that limit the development, implementation, or evaluation of AI in the rural areas.
Author(s): Katherine E. Brown, Sharon E. Davis
Citation: Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association
Date: 11/2025
view details
Presents a scoping review exploring the extent of research on artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare in rural communities. Discusses the application of AI in rural US healthcare and challenges that limit the development, implementation, or evaluation of AI in the rural areas.
Author(s): Katherine E. Brown, Sharon E. Davis
Citation: Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association
Date: 11/2025
view details
Family Physician Workforce Trends: The Toll on Rural Communities
Analyzes distribution of family physicians between 2017 and 2023 to identify trends in practice location. Includes analysis of physician demographic characteristics, rurality, and region. Discusses the impact of a reduction in the family physician workforce on rural communities.
Author(s): Colleen T. Fogarty, Hoon Byun, Alison N. Huffstetler
Citation: The Annals of Family Medicine, 26(6), 535-538
Date: 11/2025
view details
Analyzes distribution of family physicians between 2017 and 2023 to identify trends in practice location. Includes analysis of physician demographic characteristics, rurality, and region. Discusses the impact of a reduction in the family physician workforce on rural communities.
Author(s): Colleen T. Fogarty, Hoon Byun, Alison N. Huffstetler
Citation: The Annals of Family Medicine, 26(6), 535-538
Date: 11/2025
view details
Using RHIhub to Support Community Health and Wellbeing
Webinar recording featuring a walkthrough of the Rural Health Information website. Highlights the different types of resources, data visualizations, and tools available to help support and improve rural community health and wellbeing.
Additional links: Audio Recording, Webinar Slides
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
view details
Webinar recording featuring a walkthrough of the Rural Health Information website. Highlights the different types of resources, data visualizations, and tools available to help support and improve rural community health and wellbeing.
Additional links: Audio Recording, Webinar Slides
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
view details
RHCs and CAHs Participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP): Characteristics of the Providers and Communities
Describes the characteristics of Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) currently participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) in 2023. Compares CAH and RHC characteristics by MSSP participation, ownership status, and free-standing versus provider-based RHC status.
Author(s): Edmer Lazaro, Dan Shane, Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
view details
Describes the characteristics of Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) currently participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) in 2023. Compares CAH and RHC characteristics by MSSP participation, ownership status, and free-standing versus provider-based RHC status.
Author(s): Edmer Lazaro, Dan Shane, Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
view details
2024 NSDUH Data Brief: Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder Among Adults
Report examines generalized anxiety disorder in American adults through data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Breaks down data by demographic characteristics, such as age, sex, education level, co-occurring substance use, and employment, as well as geographic and socioeconomic characteristics, such as geographic region, health insurance, rurality, and federal poverty level.
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
view details
Report examines generalized anxiety disorder in American adults through data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Breaks down data by demographic characteristics, such as age, sex, education level, co-occurring substance use, and employment, as well as geographic and socioeconomic characteristics, such as geographic region, health insurance, rurality, and federal poverty level.
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
view details
Rural Hospital Financial Distress: Relative Risk in 2025
Infographic with a state-level map showing the number and percent of rural hospitals in each state at highest relative financial distress risk in 2025. Features statistics showing states with multiple hospitals, one hospital, and no hospitals at highest risk. Includes information on states with highest percentage of rural hospitals at highest relative risk of financial distress.
Author(s): Tyler Malone, George Pink, Julie Perry, Mark Holmes
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organizations: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program, The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research
view details
Infographic with a state-level map showing the number and percent of rural hospitals in each state at highest relative financial distress risk in 2025. Features statistics showing states with multiple hospitals, one hospital, and no hospitals at highest risk. Includes information on states with highest percentage of rural hospitals at highest relative risk of financial distress.
Author(s): Tyler Malone, George Pink, Julie Perry, Mark Holmes
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organizations: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program, The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research
view details
Arizona Rural Obstetrical Workforce
Offers maps and tables of the obstetricians and advanced practice midwives workforce distribution in Arizona in 2025. Includes county-level data and rural and urban comparisons.
Author(s): S.C. Woolcock, C.H.A. Andrilla, L.A. Garberson, J.M. Graves
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
view details
Offers maps and tables of the obstetricians and advanced practice midwives workforce distribution in Arizona in 2025. Includes county-level data and rural and urban comparisons.
Author(s): S.C. Woolcock, C.H.A. Andrilla, L.A. Garberson, J.M. Graves
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
view details
Arizona Rural Behavioral Health Workforce
Offers maps and tables of the supply and distribution of behavioral health clinicians in Arizona in 2025. Includes county-level data and rural and urban comparisons.
Author(s): S.C. Woolcock, C.H.A. Andrilla, L.A. Garberson, J.M. Graves
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
view details
Offers maps and tables of the supply and distribution of behavioral health clinicians in Arizona in 2025. Includes county-level data and rural and urban comparisons.
Author(s): S.C. Woolcock, C.H.A. Andrilla, L.A. Garberson, J.M. Graves
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
view details