Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Technology for health and human services
Artificial Intelligence as a Health Communication Infrastructure for Metro and Nonmetro Residents
Examines trends in the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) for health information. Analyzes 2026 survey data from 1,343 adults regarding their AI use and includes additional breakdowns according to sociodemographics, location of Illinois or other U.S. state, and rural, suburban, or urban location.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
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Examines trends in the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) for health information. Analyzes 2026 survey data from 1,343 adults regarding their AI use and includes additional breakdowns according to sociodemographics, location of Illinois or other U.S. state, and rural, suburban, or urban location.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
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Broadband Connectivity Among Rural First Responders in Pennsylvania
Explores challenges and opportunities in digital communication technologies experienced by Pennsylvania rural first responders. Features recommendations for Pennsylvania policymakers and stakeholders to improve communication access.
Author(s): Christopher Ali, Abigail Simmerman, DongWook Jeong
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Explores challenges and opportunities in digital communication technologies experienced by Pennsylvania rural first responders. Features recommendations for Pennsylvania policymakers and stakeholders to improve communication access.
Author(s): Christopher Ali, Abigail Simmerman, DongWook Jeong
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Centering Innovation in Rural Communities, with Alycia Bayne
An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring Alycia Bayne, Associate Director for Public Health Research at the NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis. Focuses on rural innovation insights drawn from work on a new guide that rural communities can use to design, implement, and scale innovative approaches that build on local realities and strengths.
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring Alycia Bayne, Associate Director for Public Health Research at the NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis. Focuses on rural innovation insights drawn from work on a new guide that rural communities can use to design, implement, and scale innovative approaches that build on local realities and strengths.
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Correlates of Glycemic Status among American Indian Adults With Type 2 Diabetes in Rural Southeastern Oklahoma
Explores correlating factors associated with elevated glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), which is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes complications, in a tribal community in rural southeastern Oklahoma. Discusses the relationship between elevated HbA1c levels and type 2 diabetes. Bases findings on data pulled from electronic health records and breaks down patient data by age, sex, distance to nearest clinic, and number of primary care visits per year, among other factors.
Author(s): Tarah Nelson, Diana J. Wilkie, Yingwei Yao, et al.
Citation: Nursing Research, 75(5), 338-345
Date: 09/2026
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Explores correlating factors associated with elevated glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), which is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes complications, in a tribal community in rural southeastern Oklahoma. Discusses the relationship between elevated HbA1c levels and type 2 diabetes. Bases findings on data pulled from electronic health records and breaks down patient data by age, sex, distance to nearest clinic, and number of primary care visits per year, among other factors.
Author(s): Tarah Nelson, Diana J. Wilkie, Yingwei Yao, et al.
Citation: Nursing Research, 75(5), 338-345
Date: 09/2026
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Kansas RHT Program Annual Report - Year 1
Reports on the first year of Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) in Kansas. Details the state policy actions, uses of funds, recipients of funds, and progress reports for each program funded by RHTP.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Arkansas Department of Health
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Reports on the first year of Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) in Kansas. Details the state policy actions, uses of funds, recipients of funds, and progress reports for each program funded by RHTP.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Arkansas Department of Health
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State RHTP & Telehealth Database
Excel spreadsheet detailing the telehealth-related initiatives included in each state's Rural Health Transformation Program project narrative. Allows users to filter by telehealth modality, healthcare issue addressed, proposed use of AI, and more.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Connected Health Policy: The National Telehealth Policy Resource Center
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Excel spreadsheet detailing the telehealth-related initiatives included in each state's Rural Health Transformation Program project narrative. Allows users to filter by telehealth modality, healthcare issue addressed, proposed use of AI, and more.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Connected Health Policy: The National Telehealth Policy Resource Center
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Washington's Health Workforce Sentinel Network Findings Brief: Rural Health Workforce, Spring 2026
Reports on rural health workforce challenges in Washington State using survey response data from healthcare employers. Highlights topics including workforce recruitment and retention, facility-level needs and challenges, workforce pathway and early-career education strategies, and AI use.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organizations: The Health Workforce Sentinel Network, UW Center for Health Workforce Studies
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Reports on rural health workforce challenges in Washington State using survey response data from healthcare employers. Highlights topics including workforce recruitment and retention, facility-level needs and challenges, workforce pathway and early-career education strategies, and AI use.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organizations: The Health Workforce Sentinel Network, UW Center for Health Workforce Studies
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Broadband Deployment: Agencies Should Take Steps to Better Target Underserved Areas and Consider Sustainability
Examines selected federal agencies' progress in broadband deployment. Describes the agencies' approaches to targeting broadband deployment funding to underserved areas while avoiding duplication, and how they address challenges that program participants face in sustaining broadband service and obtaining permits and reviews.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Examines selected federal agencies' progress in broadband deployment. Describes the agencies' approaches to targeting broadband deployment funding to underserved areas while avoiding duplication, and how they address challenges that program participants face in sustaining broadband service and obtaining permits and reviews.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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ADDIE-Guided Development and Pilot Feasibility Evaluation of a Prototype VR Training Simulation for Suicide Prevention among Rural U.S. Veterans
Explores the feasibility of using virtual reality (VR) workforce training modules to address the lack of specialty-trained mental health professionals serving rural veterans and to improve suicide prevention efforts. Evaluates participants' engagement in the VR environment, realism of VR scenarios, and perception of usability across different workforce groups, among other measures.
Author(s): Donna L. Schuman , Micki Washburn, Regina T. Praetorius, et al.
Citation: PLoS One, 21(8), e0345819
Date: 08/2026
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Explores the feasibility of using virtual reality (VR) workforce training modules to address the lack of specialty-trained mental health professionals serving rural veterans and to improve suicide prevention efforts. Evaluates participants' engagement in the VR environment, realism of VR scenarios, and perception of usability across different workforce groups, among other measures.
Author(s): Donna L. Schuman , Micki Washburn, Regina T. Praetorius, et al.
Citation: PLoS One, 21(8), e0345819
Date: 08/2026
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Health Outcomes in Rural America: A Prevention-to-Crisis View on Determinants of Health, Chronic Diseases, and Economic Consequences
Presents findings from a June 2026 symposium discussing factors behind health disparities in rural areas, the connection between health and economic opportunity, and possible avenues for improving healthcare outcomes for rural residents.
Author(s): Anthony F. Pipa, Brent Orrell, Adam Aley, Madeline Tong
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Brookings-AEI Commission on U.S. Rural Prosperity, The Brookings Institution
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Presents findings from a June 2026 symposium discussing factors behind health disparities in rural areas, the connection between health and economic opportunity, and possible avenues for improving healthcare outcomes for rural residents.
Author(s): Anthony F. Pipa, Brent Orrell, Adam Aley, Madeline Tong
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Brookings-AEI Commission on U.S. Rural Prosperity, The Brookings Institution
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