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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Substance use and misuse

Traffic Safety Facts, 2023 Data: Alcohol-Impaired Driving
National data on traffic crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers. Features statistics with breakdowns including road conditions, month, time of day, state, and rural or urban location.
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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Midwest Urban-Rural Differences in Cancer Prevalence
Analyzes cancer prevalence by level of rurality in a midwestern region, utilizing Rochester Epidemiology Project (REP) data of 647,909 people who lived in a 27-county region of Minnesota and Wisconsin as of January 2020. Includes data breakdowns by level of rurality and place of cancer, smoking status, sex, age, and other demographic factors.
Author(s): Christine M. Prissel, Brandon R. Grossardt, Lila J. Finney Rutten, et al.
Citation: Mayo Clinic Proceedings
Date: 05/2025
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Prevalence and Predictors of Chronic Disease among Rural and Medically Underserved Populations Using Smokeless Tobacco
Examines chronic disease prevalence and associated risk factors among 532 smokeless tobacco (SLT) cessation intervention participants who live in rural and medically underserved communities. Includes data on chronic diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, oral health, and more.
Author(s): Elaine Sang, Susan Silva, Sarah Grenon, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 13, 1565910
Date: 05/2025
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Discreet but Accessible: A Qualitative Study with People Who Use Drugs and Service Staff about the Optimal Design of a Harm Reduction Vending Machine in Rural Kentucky
Analyzes perspectives on harm reduction vending machine (HRVM) access and suitability via interviews with people who use drugs as well as health department and syringe service program (SSP) staff in rural Appalachian Kentucky. Discusses factors influencing the usefulness of HRVMs and their ability to address public health needs such as infectious disease prevention, overdose reduction, and other community benefits.
Author(s): Rachel M. Marschke, April M. Young, Hannah K. Knudsen, Chelsi N. Cheatom, Hannah L. F. Cooper
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 22, 88
Date: 05/2025
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Continuity of Pain Clinic Care Among Rural and Urban Veterans
Presents a study exploring the differences in continuity of pain care through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for rural and urban veterans. Breaks down data by age, sex, pain severity, and behavioral health disorders, among other measures.
Author(s): Katherine Hadlandsmyth, Rena E Courtney, Jenna L Adamowicz, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2), e70031
Date: 05/2025
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Delaying Screening Until Covered? Changes in Lung Cancer Screening at the Age of Nearly-Universal Medicare Insurance
Examines the impact of first-time screening of lung cancer at age 65, the age of nearly universal Medicare insurance coverage. Utilizes 2015-2020 American College of Radiology's Lung Cancer Screening Registry data to analyze differences in screening rates between ages 60-64 and 65-69. Includes additional data breakdowns such as patient demographics, smoking behaviors, eligibility for screening, and rural versus non-rural patient location.
Author(s): Marcelo C. Perraillon, Adam Warren, Lenka Goldman, Jamie L. Studts, Rebecca M. Myerson
Citation: Health Services Research
Date: 05/2025
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Rural Access to Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs)
Examines access to, and services offered by, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) in rural and urban communities. Also compares services at CCBHCs with those offered at other mental health clinics. Features state-level maps showing CCBHC counts by state, and statistics on services counts in CCBHCs and other mental health facilities, with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Author(s): Aaron P. Smith, Jeffrey Talbert
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
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Reported Rural Drug Overdoses Decline 40 Percent in One Year (Pennsylvania)
Compares rates of drug overdoses in 2023 and 2024 in rural and urban areas of Pennsylvania. Features statistics on reported drug overdose rates per 100,000 during these years, percent of rural and urban residents receiving Naloxone in 2023 and 2024, demographic information on rural overdose victims, and a county-level map showing percent change in reported overdoses by county.
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Exploring Spatial Dynamics of Trauma and Substance use Among Suicide Deaths in the United States (2017–2021)
Examines the spatial relationship among trauma, substance use, and suicide in the United States. Utilizes National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) data to generate county-level U.S. maps showing hot spot analyses of traumatic events, suicides, and substance use. Discusses regionality and rurality related to hot spot trends.
Author(s): Bianca D. Smith, Kechna Cadet, Terrinieka W. Powell
Citation: Injury Epidemiology, 12, 22
Date: 05/2025
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National Survey of Lung Cancer Screening Eligibility in United States Veterans
Explores a study evaluating the portion of veterans eligible and screened for lung cancer in rural and urban areas. Discusses the differences in screening and mortality rates between rural and urban areas. Breaks down data by age, family cancer history, and smoking history, among other factors.
Author(s): Jennifer A. Lewis, Allison Stranick, Jacquelyn Pennings, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 68(5), 886-895
Date: 05/2025
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