Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Statistics and data
Adults' Leisure-Time Physical Activity Preferences and Association with Physical Activity Guidelines by Metropolitan Status, United States, 2019
Compares preferences in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and likelihood of meeting physical activity guidelines among adults by level of rurality, using 2019 BRFSS data. Discusses how rural-urban differences in LTPA can contribute to rural physical activity interventions.
Author(s): Christiaan G. Abildso, Eugene C. Fitzhugh, Alan M. Beck, et al.
Citation: PLOS One, 21(4), e0345026
Date: 04/2026
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Compares preferences in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and likelihood of meeting physical activity guidelines among adults by level of rurality, using 2019 BRFSS data. Discusses how rural-urban differences in LTPA can contribute to rural physical activity interventions.
Author(s): Christiaan G. Abildso, Eugene C. Fitzhugh, Alan M. Beck, et al.
Citation: PLOS One, 21(4), e0345026
Date: 04/2026
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Post-Hospital Access to Preferred and High-Quality Skilled Nursing Facilities for Patients With Opioid Use Disorder
Examines access to preferred and high-quality skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) among Medicare beneficiaries with opioid use disorder (OUD). Utilizes 2017-2021 Medicare inpatient claims data to analyze 6,490,593 patients with OUD and their likelihood to enter preferred and high-quality SNFs according to patient demographics and urbanicity of metro, micro, small town, or rural.
Author(s): Talia S. Benheim, Momotazur Rahman, Andrew R. Zullo, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 61(2), e70110
Date: 04/2026
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Examines access to preferred and high-quality skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) among Medicare beneficiaries with opioid use disorder (OUD). Utilizes 2017-2021 Medicare inpatient claims data to analyze 6,490,593 patients with OUD and their likelihood to enter preferred and high-quality SNFs according to patient demographics and urbanicity of metro, micro, small town, or rural.
Author(s): Talia S. Benheim, Momotazur Rahman, Andrew R. Zullo, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 61(2), e70110
Date: 04/2026
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Prioritizing High-Volume Repair Hospitals with Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms, for Rural and Nonrural Patients
Examines associations between in-hospital ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) mortality, hospital rAAA repair volume, patient rurality, and patient transfer status, using 2015-2020 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Database (HCUP SID) data of 1,744 patients who underwent rAAA repair in New York and Florida.
Author(s): Neha H. Shetty, Hasan Nassereldine, Kristina E. Rudd, et al.
Citation: Journal of Vascular Surgery, 83(4), 1089-1099
Date: 04/2026
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Examines associations between in-hospital ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) mortality, hospital rAAA repair volume, patient rurality, and patient transfer status, using 2015-2020 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Database (HCUP SID) data of 1,744 patients who underwent rAAA repair in New York and Florida.
Author(s): Neha H. Shetty, Hasan Nassereldine, Kristina E. Rudd, et al.
Citation: Journal of Vascular Surgery, 83(4), 1089-1099
Date: 04/2026
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Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Access to Acute Stroke Capabilities in California: Association with Rurality and Telestroke Access
Examines disparities in presentation to emergency departments (EDs) with or without acute stroke capability among patients with acute stroke by race and ethnicity, and variations in these associations by patient rurality and ED telestroke status, using 2021 NEDI-California and NEDI-USA survey data.
Author(s): Kori S. Zachrison, Renee Y. Hsia, Krislyn M. Boggs, et al.
Citation: Journal of Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases, 35(4), 108607
Date: 04/2026
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Examines disparities in presentation to emergency departments (EDs) with or without acute stroke capability among patients with acute stroke by race and ethnicity, and variations in these associations by patient rurality and ED telestroke status, using 2021 NEDI-California and NEDI-USA survey data.
Author(s): Kori S. Zachrison, Renee Y. Hsia, Krislyn M. Boggs, et al.
Citation: Journal of Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases, 35(4), 108607
Date: 04/2026
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Prenatal Vitamin D Levels and Postpartum Hemorrhage in a Rural Alaska Cohort
Examines the relationship between vitamin D levels during pregnancy and postpartum bleeding in a rural, Alaska Native/American Indian (AN/AI) population living in southwestern Alaska. Utilizes 2017-2019 data from 1,343 pregnancies to analyze levels of blood loss according to labor and delivery factors, obstetrics history, and pregnancy characteristics. Discusses strategies such as vitamin D supplementation and universal screening to address population health needs.
Author(s): Reinou S. Groen, Julie A. Beans, Gretchen Day, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 173(1), 403-410
Date: 04/2026
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Examines the relationship between vitamin D levels during pregnancy and postpartum bleeding in a rural, Alaska Native/American Indian (AN/AI) population living in southwestern Alaska. Utilizes 2017-2019 data from 1,343 pregnancies to analyze levels of blood loss according to labor and delivery factors, obstetrics history, and pregnancy characteristics. Discusses strategies such as vitamin D supplementation and universal screening to address population health needs.
Author(s): Reinou S. Groen, Julie A. Beans, Gretchen Day, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 173(1), 403-410
Date: 04/2026
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Can a Participant-Referred "Study Buddy" Increase Retention of Rural People Who Use Drugs in Research? A Multi-Site, Randomized Trial
Presents a study exploring the efficacy of an intervention aiming to increase retention of rural people who use drugs (PWUD) participating in randomized trials. Highlights an intervention involving participant recruitment of a support person, or "study buddy", to aid in the their continued participation in the study. Compares the efficacy of this intervention with standard retention practices.
Author(s): April M. Young, Kathryn E. Lancaster, Miriam R. Elman, et al.
Citation: Addiction, 121(4), 894-907
Date: 04/2026
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Presents a study exploring the efficacy of an intervention aiming to increase retention of rural people who use drugs (PWUD) participating in randomized trials. Highlights an intervention involving participant recruitment of a support person, or "study buddy", to aid in the their continued participation in the study. Compares the efficacy of this intervention with standard retention practices.
Author(s): April M. Young, Kathryn E. Lancaster, Miriam R. Elman, et al.
Citation: Addiction, 121(4), 894-907
Date: 04/2026
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Mapping Spatial and Social Inequities of Long COVID Across the United States: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Examines spatiotemporal variables and social determinants as correlated with the Omicron variant and long COVID health risk. Analyzes 5,652,474 COVID-19 cases and 41,694 long COVID cases according to year, location, U.S. region, risk level of county, and social determinants, including rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Zhetao Chen, Bingnan Lib, Yewen Chen, et al.
Citation: The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, 56, 101401
Date: 04/2026
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Examines spatiotemporal variables and social determinants as correlated with the Omicron variant and long COVID health risk. Analyzes 5,652,474 COVID-19 cases and 41,694 long COVID cases according to year, location, U.S. region, risk level of county, and social determinants, including rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Zhetao Chen, Bingnan Lib, Yewen Chen, et al.
Citation: The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, 56, 101401
Date: 04/2026
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The 10-20-30 Provision: Defining Persistent Poverty Counties
Defines persistent poverty counties. Discusses how differences in definitions and data can affect which counties are considered persistently poor and includes a map highlighting the impact of different rounding methods. Briefly addresses legislation targeting persistent poverty counties using the "10-20-30 provision," including rural development funding. Table 3 lists persistent poverty counties based on data from the 1993 Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE), Census 2000, and the 2024 SAIPE.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Defines persistent poverty counties. Discusses how differences in definitions and data can affect which counties are considered persistently poor and includes a map highlighting the impact of different rounding methods. Briefly addresses legislation targeting persistent poverty counties using the "10-20-30 provision," including rural development funding. Table 3 lists persistent poverty counties based on data from the 1993 Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE), Census 2000, and the 2024 SAIPE.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Acceptability and Satisfaction of Eat My ABCs: A Mindful Eating Program for Preschoolers in Low-Income Families
Examines a Head Start-based mindful eating program for low-income families in rural Michigan. Utilizes quantitative and qualitative satisfaction data from 192 caregivers and 23 classroom teachers and provides feedback on their perceived program acceptability and satisfaction. Discusses issues such as parent communication, availability of fresh fruits and vegetables, child comprehension of the program, recruitment strategies, and more.
Author(s): Hannah Lalonde, Esra'a Sawalmeh, Reese Buhlman, et al.
Citation: Nutrients, 18(7), 1103
Date: 03/2026
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Examines a Head Start-based mindful eating program for low-income families in rural Michigan. Utilizes quantitative and qualitative satisfaction data from 192 caregivers and 23 classroom teachers and provides feedback on their perceived program acceptability and satisfaction. Discusses issues such as parent communication, availability of fresh fruits and vegetables, child comprehension of the program, recruitment strategies, and more.
Author(s): Hannah Lalonde, Esra'a Sawalmeh, Reese Buhlman, et al.
Citation: Nutrients, 18(7), 1103
Date: 03/2026
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Community Place Attachment as a Significant Correlate of Motivation to Change Substance Use Behavior among Adults who Inject Drugs in Rural U.S.
Explores the role of community place attachment (CPA) in motivating change in substance use behaviors (MCSUB) among 350 people who inject drugs in Appalachian Kentucky. Provides data on the relationship between CPA, MCSUB, and substance use treatment utilization, and discusses belongingness as an asset supporting SUD treatment in rural communities.
Author(s): Janet K. Otachi, Shawndaya S. Thrasher, Keith J. Watts, Juma S. Mwenda, Hilary L. Surratt
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 14, 1746203
Date: 03/2026
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Explores the role of community place attachment (CPA) in motivating change in substance use behaviors (MCSUB) among 350 people who inject drugs in Appalachian Kentucky. Provides data on the relationship between CPA, MCSUB, and substance use treatment utilization, and discusses belongingness as an asset supporting SUD treatment in rural communities.
Author(s): Janet K. Otachi, Shawndaya S. Thrasher, Keith J. Watts, Juma S. Mwenda, Hilary L. Surratt
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 14, 1746203
Date: 03/2026
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