Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Substance use and misuse
Rural–Urban Differences in Excessive Alcohol Use and Select Mental Health Conditions
Explores the differences in alcohol use by people with self-reported mental health conditions in rural and urban areas using 2021-2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data. Breaks down data by demographic markers, such as education level, employment, and health insurance status, among others. Compares alcohol use and mental health data by large urban, small urban, and rural areas.
Author(s): Taryn Farrell, Cassie Odahowski, Emma Boswell, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70209
Date: 08/2026
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Explores the differences in alcohol use by people with self-reported mental health conditions in rural and urban areas using 2021-2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data. Breaks down data by demographic markers, such as education level, employment, and health insurance status, among others. Compares alcohol use and mental health data by large urban, small urban, and rural areas.
Author(s): Taryn Farrell, Cassie Odahowski, Emma Boswell, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70209
Date: 08/2026
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School-Centered Tobacco Retailer Exposure and Neighborhood Opportunity Across Urban and Rural Tennessee
Examines the association between neighborhood opportunity and school-centered tobacco retailer exposure in Tennessee, including differences by rural or urban areas and Appalachian status. Features statistics and county-level maps with shadings showing school-centered tobacco retail exposure and tract-level quintiles of the Child Opportunity Index state percentile.
Author(s): Sima Namin, Jacob Black, Jennifer Ferris, Robert E. Heidel
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 8(2), 29-52
Date: 08/2026
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Examines the association between neighborhood opportunity and school-centered tobacco retailer exposure in Tennessee, including differences by rural or urban areas and Appalachian status. Features statistics and county-level maps with shadings showing school-centered tobacco retail exposure and tract-level quintiles of the Child Opportunity Index state percentile.
Author(s): Sima Namin, Jacob Black, Jennifer Ferris, Robert E. Heidel
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 8(2), 29-52
Date: 08/2026
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Behavioral Health Council Action Plan - Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Examines the current state of Pennsylvania's behavioral healthcare system, highlights areas for improvement, and offers recommendations to improve access to mental health and addiction care services. Mentions rural throughout.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Behavioral Health Council
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Examines the current state of Pennsylvania's behavioral healthcare system, highlights areas for improvement, and offers recommendations to improve access to mental health and addiction care services. Mentions rural throughout.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Behavioral Health Council
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2026 CCBHC Impact Report
Discusses the impact certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHCs) have had on expanding access to mental and substance use healthcare, supporting the well-being of children and families, and coordinating with primary care providers, among other measures. Explores national CCBHC implementation status, utilization of services, collaboration with other providers, and workforce support. Includes a breakdown of clientele expansions in rural CCBHCs.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Council for Mental Wellbeing
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Discusses the impact certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHCs) have had on expanding access to mental and substance use healthcare, supporting the well-being of children and families, and coordinating with primary care providers, among other measures. Explores national CCBHC implementation status, utilization of services, collaboration with other providers, and workforce support. Includes a breakdown of clientele expansions in rural CCBHCs.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Council for Mental Wellbeing
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Recovery Is Possible: Continuity of Care from Incarceration to Community, with Kelsea O'Leary
An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring Kelsea O'Leary, Behavioral Health Program Manager for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Focuses on strategies used to facilitate continuity of care for justice-involved tribal citizens in recovery as they transition to post-incarceration life. Part 3 in a 3-part series featuring the 2026 Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Innovation Tank finalists, with Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma's work winning second place.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring Kelsea O'Leary, Behavioral Health Program Manager for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Focuses on strategies used to facilitate continuity of care for justice-involved tribal citizens in recovery as they transition to post-incarceration life. Part 3 in a 3-part series featuring the 2026 Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Innovation Tank finalists, with Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma's work winning second place.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Western Region Household Survey Report: Findings from the WR-Stat: Baseline Survey 2024
Reports on rural and urban demographics, economics, social environment, mental health, substance recovery, food security, and natural environment across the Western United States using 2024 data from the WR-Stat: Baseline Survey from 4,502 households. Includes state-by-state rural-urban comparison data.
Author(s): Ahsan Kibria, Nadeeka Weerasekara, Thomas Trotter, et al.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
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Reports on rural and urban demographics, economics, social environment, mental health, substance recovery, food security, and natural environment across the Western United States using 2024 data from the WR-Stat: Baseline Survey from 4,502 households. Includes state-by-state rural-urban comparison data.
Author(s): Ahsan Kibria, Nadeeka Weerasekara, Thomas Trotter, et al.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
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Strategies to Address the Rural Access Gap in Substance Use Services
Describes how community paramedicine and mobile substance use care units can address barriers to substance use treatment in rural areas, and how these programs can be supported at the state level via Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding.
Author(s): Rebekah Falkner
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Academy for State Health Policy
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Describes how community paramedicine and mobile substance use care units can address barriers to substance use treatment in rural areas, and how these programs can be supported at the state level via Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding.
Author(s): Rebekah Falkner
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Academy for State Health Policy
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Rural–Urban Residence in Relation to Cannabis Use Influences and Behaviors among a Sample of US Young Adults Reporting Past‐Month Cannabis Use
Examines how cannabis use behaviors and perceptions vary among rural and urban young adults via an online survey of 1,961 adults aged 18-34 who reported past-month cannabis use. Includes data on perceived harm, coping, frequency of use, driving under the influence, likelihood of mental health diagnosis, consequences of use, and more.
Author(s): Katelyn F. Romm, Amanda Y. Kong, Patricia A. Cavazos-Rehg, Carla J. Berg
Citation: The American Journal on Addictions, 35(5), 622-632
Date: 07/2026
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Examines how cannabis use behaviors and perceptions vary among rural and urban young adults via an online survey of 1,961 adults aged 18-34 who reported past-month cannabis use. Includes data on perceived harm, coping, frequency of use, driving under the influence, likelihood of mental health diagnosis, consequences of use, and more.
Author(s): Katelyn F. Romm, Amanda Y. Kong, Patricia A. Cavazos-Rehg, Carla J. Berg
Citation: The American Journal on Addictions, 35(5), 622-632
Date: 07/2026
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North Dakota Statewide Traffic Safety Survey, 2026: Traffic Safety Performance Measures for State and Federal Agencies
Provides information on traffic safety issues among varied demographic groups in North Dakota and their beliefs, practices, and distractions related to driving. Includes rural versus urban comparisons about driving safety, driving under the influence, and more.
Author(s): Kimberly Vachal, Andrew Kubas, Jaclyn Andersen
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute
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Provides information on traffic safety issues among varied demographic groups in North Dakota and their beliefs, practices, and distractions related to driving. Includes rural versus urban comparisons about driving safety, driving under the influence, and more.
Author(s): Kimberly Vachal, Andrew Kubas, Jaclyn Andersen
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute
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Provider Perspectives on a Tobacco-Free Workplace Program in Healthcare Settings Serving Rural and Medically Underserved Areas of Texas: A Mixed Methods Study on Perceived Resource Availability and Value
Analyzes healthcare provider perspectives on the Taking Rural Texas Tobacco Free program, a capacity building program for reducing tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure among healthcare providers, patients, and visitors in rural or medically underserved areas of Texas. Provides data and interview excerpts from 347 substance use treatment center and medical healthcare center staff.
Author(s): Abigail E. Bergey, Isabel Martinez Leal, Maggie Britton, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(7), 898
Date: 07/2026
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Analyzes healthcare provider perspectives on the Taking Rural Texas Tobacco Free program, a capacity building program for reducing tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure among healthcare providers, patients, and visitors in rural or medically underserved areas of Texas. Provides data and interview excerpts from 347 substance use treatment center and medical healthcare center staff.
Author(s): Abigail E. Bergey, Isabel Martinez Leal, Maggie Britton, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(7), 898
Date: 07/2026
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