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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Wellness, health promotion, and disease prevention

Interventions to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening Uptake in Rural Settings: A Scoping Review
Scoping review examining 36 studies on interventions to increase colorectal cancer (CRC) screening uptake in rural communities. Highlights approaches and strategies of effective interventions and discusses the need for continued research on tailored interventions for underserved communities.
Author(s): Christine M. Kava, PhD, Judith Lee Smith, Emily K. Kobernik, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22, 250025
Date: 06/2025
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Self-Reported Reasons Preventing US Adults From Walking to Places Within 10 Minutes of Home
Examines environmental, access, and individual reasons given for not walking to places near home, utilizing 2022 SummerStyles survey data of 3,967 adults. Breaks down self-identified reasons for not walking by geographic and demographic characteristics, including rurality. Discusses the value of walkability for physical fitness and community accessibility.
Author(s): Hatidza Zaganjor, Tiffany J. Chen, Miriam E. Van Dyke, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22, 240394
Date: 06/2025
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Rural Health Disparities: Contemporary Solutions for Persistent Rural Public Health Challenges
Special issue of Preventing Chronic Disease featuring articles that examine rural health disparities and discuss rural public health strategies to address cancer, diabetes, and other chronic conditions, and to promote physical activity.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease
Date: 06/2025
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Maintenance of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Behaviors Among Adolescents and Their Caregivers: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
Examines intake of sugar-sweetened beverages among rural, Central Appalachian students and their caregivers at 19 months after their participation in the Kids SIPsmartER behavior-change intervention, which focused on reducing intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) via classroom-based lessons for middle school students and an SMS strategy for their caregivers.
Author(s): Annie Reid, Wen You, Theresa Markwalter, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22, 240520
Date: 06/2025
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Social Workers Bridge Critical Care Gaps and Improve Health Outcomes for Rural Veterans
Discusses the role of social workers in primary care teams for rural veterans. Explores the impacts of incorporating social workers into primary care on hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and closing gaps in rural service delivery.
Author(s): James Rudolph
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: VA Health Systems Research, Office of Research & Development
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Public Health Research and Program Strategies for Diabetes Prevention and Management

Editorial describing diabetes prevention and management efforts and policy since 1975. Discusses disparities in diabetes prevalence including rural residence. Highlights current and future work in diabetes prevention and management.


Author(s): Shelly-Ann Bowen, Arsham Alamian, Stephen Onufrak
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Notes from the Field: Seroprevalence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5) Virus Infections Among Bovine Veterinary Practitioners — United States, September 2024
Presents findings from testing 150 bovine veterinary practitioners for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) virus infection. Discusses the utility of seroprevalence assessments of recent HPAI A(H5) infection among practitioners at increased risk for exposure.
Author(s): Jerome Leonard, Elizabeth J. Harker, Christine M. Szablewski, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 74(4), 50-52
Date: 02/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Assessing the Needs of Rural Families Affected by the Opioid Crisis: Issue Brief and Recommendations to the Secretary
Explores the considerations for addressing social determinants of health that influence opioid use disorder (OUD) and the role of community efforts in prevention, treatment, and recovery in rural areas, with a focus on prevention efforts in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Discusses youth and family prevention and well-being; stigma; adverse childhood experience; school-based health centers and youth and family resource centers; access to stable housing, food, and other social supports; the importance of trusted community resources for support; and workforce. Offers recommendations related to reducing stigma and promoting the enhanced utilization of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) to help rural communities address OUD and substance use disorders.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Seat Belt Use in 2024 - Overall Results
Examines rates of seat belt use and occupant fatalities from 2011-2024. Includes data on seat belt use for 2023 and 2024 in rural and urban areas.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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Factors Influencing Evidence-Based Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Programming in Rural African American Communities: A Community-Engaged Concept Mapping Study
Analyzes perspectives on evidence-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and management programs, utilizing a group concept mapping (GCM) approach with input from 31 community-based, faith, and healthcare organizations serving African Americans in rural North Carolina.
Author(s): Amelia DeFosset, Breanna Deutsch-Williams, Mysha Wynn, et al.
Citation: Implementation Science Communications, 6, 11
Date: 01/2025
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