Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Substance use and misuse
Exploring the Use of Telemedicine to Expand Addiction and Recovery Resources in Great Plains Tribal Communities
Explores the use of telemedicine to provide medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) to patients in tribal communities. Explores the barriers and facilitators to implementing telemedicine-based MOUD services across the Great Plains Area of the Indian Health Service.
Author(s): Michael C. Harding, Anna C. Kihlstrom, Allison Kelliher, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(1), e70113
Date: 01/2026
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Explores the use of telemedicine to provide medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) to patients in tribal communities. Explores the barriers and facilitators to implementing telemedicine-based MOUD services across the Great Plains Area of the Indian Health Service.
Author(s): Michael C. Harding, Anna C. Kihlstrom, Allison Kelliher, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(1), e70113
Date: 01/2026
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America's Health Rankings Annual Report 2025
Provides a national and state-by-state overview of population health by analyzing 99 measures drawn from 31 data sources to describe and rank health outcomes in the U.S. Analyzes and presents data on disparities by geography and demographic characteristics throughout. See the section titled, "Spotlight: Rural Communities," for information on trends in colorectal and breast cancer screening rates and physical inactivity of adults in rural areas between 2022 and 2024.
Additional links: Executive Brief
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
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Provides a national and state-by-state overview of population health by analyzing 99 measures drawn from 31 data sources to describe and rank health outcomes in the U.S. Analyzes and presents data on disparities by geography and demographic characteristics throughout. See the section titled, "Spotlight: Rural Communities," for information on trends in colorectal and breast cancer screening rates and physical inactivity of adults in rural areas between 2022 and 2024.
Additional links: Executive Brief
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
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America's Health Rankings Senior Report 2026
Presents 56 measures of health and well-being from 25 data sources, to provide a picture of older adult health across the country, with comparisons by metro and nonmetro areas. Features insights on factors that shape the health of older adults in rural areas, and includes a state-level map with shadings showing ranges of rural population age 65 and older as of 2024.
Additional links: Executive Brief, Risk of Isolation County-Level Maps, State Summaries
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
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Presents 56 measures of health and well-being from 25 data sources, to provide a picture of older adult health across the country, with comparisons by metro and nonmetro areas. Features insights on factors that shape the health of older adults in rural areas, and includes a state-level map with shadings showing ranges of rural population age 65 and older as of 2024.
Additional links: Executive Brief, Risk of Isolation County-Level Maps, State Summaries
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
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Alaska Native Injury Atlas, 4th Edition - Part 2: Poisoning & Suicide Attempt Injury Hospitalizations
Provides data on trends in suicide attempt and poisoning hospitalizations among Alaska Native and American Indian people in Alaska, utilizing 2018-2023 hospital admissions data. Breaks down data by Tribal Health Region, demographic group, and injury mechanism.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
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Provides data on trends in suicide attempt and poisoning hospitalizations among Alaska Native and American Indian people in Alaska, utilizing 2018-2023 hospital admissions data. Breaks down data by Tribal Health Region, demographic group, and injury mechanism.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
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Texas Statewide Behavioral Health Strategic Plan: Progress Report, Fiscal Year 2025
Reports on the implementation of evidence-based and promising behavioral health practices in Texas. Includes discussion of practices focused on rural populations.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Texas Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council
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Reports on the implementation of evidence-based and promising behavioral health practices in Texas. Includes discussion of practices focused on rural populations.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Texas Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council
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Report on the Mental Health Program for Veterans for Fiscal Year 2025
Reports on the Texas Health and Human Service Commission (HHSC) and Texas Veterans Commission's (TVC) programs to ensure access to behavioral health services for service members, veterans, and their family members (SMVF) during fiscal year 2025 in Texas. Highlights the needs of rural SMVF throughout, and discusses services provided by the Rural Veteran Counselor (RVC) program.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Texas Health and Human Services
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Reports on the Texas Health and Human Service Commission (HHSC) and Texas Veterans Commission's (TVC) programs to ensure access to behavioral health services for service members, veterans, and their family members (SMVF) during fiscal year 2025 in Texas. Highlights the needs of rural SMVF throughout, and discusses services provided by the Rural Veteran Counselor (RVC) program.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Texas Health and Human Services
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Testing Oral Nicotine Pouches Versus Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Cigarette Harm Reduction in Appalachia: The ARISE Study Protocol
Study protocol for the Appalachian Research to Impact Smoking's Effects (ARISE) study, which will examine the provision of oral nicotine pouches versus nicotine replacement therapy among adult smokers living in rural Appalachian counties across 11 states.
Author(s): Amy Wermert, Theodore M. Brasky, Alison M. Newton, et al.
Citation: PLOS ONE, 20(12), e0338503
Date: 12/2025
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Study protocol for the Appalachian Research to Impact Smoking's Effects (ARISE) study, which will examine the provision of oral nicotine pouches versus nicotine replacement therapy among adult smokers living in rural Appalachian counties across 11 states.
Author(s): Amy Wermert, Theodore M. Brasky, Alison M. Newton, et al.
Citation: PLOS ONE, 20(12), e0338503
Date: 12/2025
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2021-2024 NSDUH Data Brief: Trends in Substance Use among Young Adults
Report details the substance use trends for young adults from 2021 to 2024 based on the findings from the Nation Survey on Drug Use and Health. Identifies substance use patterns and breaks down data by age, substance used, and whether participants resided in a large or small metropolitan or nonmetro county.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Report details the substance use trends for young adults from 2021 to 2024 based on the findings from the Nation Survey on Drug Use and Health. Identifies substance use patterns and breaks down data by age, substance used, and whether participants resided in a large or small metropolitan or nonmetro county.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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An Exploration of Access to Tobacco Cessation Services Through Pharmacies in a Medically Underserved Area in California: Accuracy of Telephone Information Regarding Pharmacist-Furnished NRT
Examines the reliability of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) phone consultations with pharmacy staff in rural, underresourced areas of California's San Joaquin Valley (SJV). Discusses discrepancies in NRT information when comparing in-person NRT visits and telephone services.
Author(s): Sara Schneider, Deanna M. Halliday, Arturo Durazo, Anna V. Song, Dorie E. Apollonio
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 16
Date: 12/2025
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Examines the reliability of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) phone consultations with pharmacy staff in rural, underresourced areas of California's San Joaquin Valley (SJV). Discusses discrepancies in NRT information when comparing in-person NRT visits and telephone services.
Author(s): Sara Schneider, Deanna M. Halliday, Arturo Durazo, Anna V. Song, Dorie E. Apollonio
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 16
Date: 12/2025
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Examining Rural Disparities in Cigarette Smoking among U.S. Women by Chronological Age: 2002–2022
Presents a study on rural disparities in rates of cigarette smoking among women from 2002 to 2022. Draws data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health and examines correlative factors, such as age, educational attainment, and income, among others.
Author(s): Stephen T. Higgins, Tyler G. Erath, Fang Fang Chen, Michael J. DeSarno
Citation: Preventive Medicine, 201, 108359
Date: 12/2025
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Presents a study on rural disparities in rates of cigarette smoking among women from 2002 to 2022. Draws data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health and examines correlative factors, such as age, educational attainment, and income, among others.
Author(s): Stephen T. Higgins, Tyler G. Erath, Fang Fang Chen, Michael J. DeSarno
Citation: Preventive Medicine, 201, 108359
Date: 12/2025
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