Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Statistics and data
Understanding Risk Factors for Otitis Media in Rural Alaska Native Children: A Cohort Study
Presents a study on the relationship between otitis media, a middle ear disease associated with childhood hearing loss, and environmental, genetic, and dietary risk factors among children aged 1-4 in Alaska Native communities in the rural Bering Strait region of Alaska. Explores the presence of genetic factors that increase the likelihood of respiratory infections in newborns, rates of breastfeeding, and environmental factors, such as smoke exposure and availability of running water, among others.
Author(s): Rolvix H Patterson, Susan D Emmett, Kelli L Scheinman, et al.
Citation: Ear & Hearing, 47(2), 417-428
Date: 03/2026
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Presents a study on the relationship between otitis media, a middle ear disease associated with childhood hearing loss, and environmental, genetic, and dietary risk factors among children aged 1-4 in Alaska Native communities in the rural Bering Strait region of Alaska. Explores the presence of genetic factors that increase the likelihood of respiratory infections in newborns, rates of breastfeeding, and environmental factors, such as smoke exposure and availability of running water, among others.
Author(s): Rolvix H Patterson, Susan D Emmett, Kelli L Scheinman, et al.
Citation: Ear & Hearing, 47(2), 417-428
Date: 03/2026
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Connected Care for Older Adults: A Pilot Intervention Engaging Community Health Workers to Advance Age-Friendly Care in Rural Oregon
Describes a pilot program implementing the 4Ms of the Age-Friendly Health System framework by embedding community health workers in rural primary care teams for 388 older adult medically frail patients. Assesses patient and clinician satisfaction and associated healthcare utilization.
Author(s): Bryanna De Lima, Lindsay Miller, Elizabeth Foster, Jodi Ready, Elizabeth Eckstrom
Citation: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 74(3), 705-711
Date: 03/2026
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Describes a pilot program implementing the 4Ms of the Age-Friendly Health System framework by embedding community health workers in rural primary care teams for 388 older adult medically frail patients. Assesses patient and clinician satisfaction and associated healthcare utilization.
Author(s): Bryanna De Lima, Lindsay Miller, Elizabeth Foster, Jodi Ready, Elizabeth Eckstrom
Citation: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 74(3), 705-711
Date: 03/2026
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One or Two Health Systems Controlled the Entire Market for Inpatient Hospital Care in Nearly Half of Metropolitan Areas in 2024
Examines the competitiveness of hospital markets in 2024 by analyzing RAND Hospital Data and American Hospital Association (AHA) survey data. Presents data on the share of metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) controlled by a small number of health systems, the level of market concentration in MSAs, and the share of hospitals affiliated with health systems over time. Compares the share of hospitals affiliated with health systems in rural and non-rural areas.
Author(s): Jamie Godwin, Zachary Levinson, Tricia Neuman
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Examines the competitiveness of hospital markets in 2024 by analyzing RAND Hospital Data and American Hospital Association (AHA) survey data. Presents data on the share of metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) controlled by a small number of health systems, the level of market concentration in MSAs, and the share of hospitals affiliated with health systems over time. Compares the share of hospitals affiliated with health systems in rural and non-rural areas.
Author(s): Jamie Godwin, Zachary Levinson, Tricia Neuman
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Medicare Telehealth Trends Report
Describes the trends of telehealth utilization among Medicare beneficiaries between January 1, 2020, and September 30, 2025. Presents data on the percentage of Medicare beneficiaries that used a telehealth service by calendar quarter and by Medicaid eligibility, type of Medicare eligibility, demographic characteristics, and rural/urban residence.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Describes the trends of telehealth utilization among Medicare beneficiaries between January 1, 2020, and September 30, 2025. Presents data on the percentage of Medicare beneficiaries that used a telehealth service by calendar quarter and by Medicaid eligibility, type of Medicare eligibility, demographic characteristics, and rural/urban residence.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Frontier and Remote (FAR) Level 4 Census Tracts, 2020
Printable map that identifies the frontier and remote (FAR) level four ZIP code areas in the United States. Data source: USDA Economic Research Service
Additional links: Level 4 Census Tracts Data Table
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Printable map that identifies the frontier and remote (FAR) level four ZIP code areas in the United States. Data source: USDA Economic Research Service
Additional links: Level 4 Census Tracts Data Table
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Frontier and Remote (FAR) Level 3 Census Tracts, 2020
Printable map that identifies the frontier and remote (FAR) level three ZIP code areas in the United States. Data source: USDA Economic Research Service
Additional links: Level 3 Census Tracts Data Table
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Printable map that identifies the frontier and remote (FAR) level three ZIP code areas in the United States. Data source: USDA Economic Research Service
Additional links: Level 3 Census Tracts Data Table
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Frontier and Remote (FAR) Level 2 Census Tracts, 2020
Printable map that identifies the frontier and remote (FAR) level two ZIP code areas in the United States. Data source: USDA Economic Research Service
Additional links: Level 2 Census Tracts Data Table
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Printable map that identifies the frontier and remote (FAR) level two ZIP code areas in the United States. Data source: USDA Economic Research Service
Additional links: Level 2 Census Tracts Data Table
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Frontier and Remote (FAR) Level 1 Census Tracts, 2020
Printable map that identifies the frontier and remote (FAR) level one ZIP code areas in the United States. Data source: USDA Economic Research Service
Additional links: Level 1 Census Tracts Data Table
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Printable map that identifies the frontier and remote (FAR) level one ZIP code areas in the United States. Data source: USDA Economic Research Service
Additional links: Level 1 Census Tracts Data Table
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Oklahoma's Food is Medicine Landscape Analysis
Report provides an analysis of the current state of Food is Medicine (FIM) programs in Oklahoma. Details the FIM program's mission and highlights the food access and insecurity situation throughout the state, especially in rural areas.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Hunger Free Oklahoma
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Report provides an analysis of the current state of Food is Medicine (FIM) programs in Oklahoma. Details the FIM program's mission and highlights the food access and insecurity situation throughout the state, especially in rural areas.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Hunger Free Oklahoma
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Virginia's Pharmacy Technician Workforce: 2025
An overview of the pharmacy technician workforce in Virginia based on data from the 2025 Pharmacy Technician Workforce Survey. Features statistics including the number of pharmacy technicians in rural Virginia and how many grew up in rural areas.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Virginia Department of Health Professions
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An overview of the pharmacy technician workforce in Virginia based on data from the 2025 Pharmacy Technician Workforce Survey. Features statistics including the number of pharmacy technicians in rural Virginia and how many grew up in rural areas.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Virginia Department of Health Professions
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