Rural Health
Resources by Type: Document
Facilitation of Health Plan-Clinic Partnerships to Improve Colorectal Cancer Screening for Rural Medicaid Enrollees: A Qualitative Study
Examines efforts to increase colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates, analyzing practice facilitation that supports mailed fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) and patient navigation. Utilizes qualitative data from the SMARTER CRC pragmatic trial that facilitates partnerships between Medicaid health plans and clinics in rural parts of Oregon.
Author(s): Erin S. Kenzie, Anders Herreid-O'Neill, Emily Myers, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70203
Date: 08/2026
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Examines efforts to increase colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates, analyzing practice facilitation that supports mailed fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) and patient navigation. Utilizes qualitative data from the SMARTER CRC pragmatic trial that facilitates partnerships between Medicaid health plans and clinics in rural parts of Oregon.
Author(s): Erin S. Kenzie, Anders Herreid-O'Neill, Emily Myers, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70203
Date: 08/2026
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Geographic Access to Low-Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening in Tennessee: Disparities by Socioeconomic Variables, Rurality, and Appalachian Status
Examines access to low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in Tennessee according to rurality and Appalachian status. Analyzes 198 LDCT sites and provides information on travel time and access to sites as well as demographic breakdown of population according to urban, rural, Appalachian, or non-Appalachian location. Discusses access disparities and solutions to improve access to LDCT screening sites in Tennessee.
Author(s): Sima Namin, Martin Whiteside, R. Eric Heidel, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70202
Date: 08/2026
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Examines access to low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in Tennessee according to rurality and Appalachian status. Analyzes 198 LDCT sites and provides information on travel time and access to sites as well as demographic breakdown of population according to urban, rural, Appalachian, or non-Appalachian location. Discusses access disparities and solutions to improve access to LDCT screening sites in Tennessee.
Author(s): Sima Namin, Martin Whiteside, R. Eric Heidel, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70202
Date: 08/2026
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Long-Term Poverty, Rurality, and Geographic Disparities in Colorectal Cancer: A Spatial Analysis in Texas
Analyzes the relationship between colorectal cancer (CRC) and multi-decade poverty. Examines CRC incidence using 2017-2021 Texas Cancer Registry data and provides breakdowns according to rurality, poverty level, and persistence of poverty since 1970. Discusses the relationship of health disparities to poverty and geography.
Author(s): Ryan Ramphul, Tracey Farrigan, Yixiao Chen, et al.
Citation: Cancer Causes & Control, 37, 141
Date: 08/2026
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Analyzes the relationship between colorectal cancer (CRC) and multi-decade poverty. Examines CRC incidence using 2017-2021 Texas Cancer Registry data and provides breakdowns according to rurality, poverty level, and persistence of poverty since 1970. Discusses the relationship of health disparities to poverty and geography.
Author(s): Ryan Ramphul, Tracey Farrigan, Yixiao Chen, et al.
Citation: Cancer Causes & Control, 37, 141
Date: 08/2026
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Beyond Geography: Using a Cluster-Based Analysis to Conceptualize the Rurality of Veterans Health Administration Hospitals
Presents a study exploring non-geographic factors of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals that facilitate or impede access to care for rural veterans. Compares hospital complexity, number of veteran enrollees, and average drive times by percentage of rural veterans served by the 110 VHA hospitals surveyed.
Author(s): Alexandra B. Caloudas, Michihiko Goto, M. Bryant Howren, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70195
Date: 08/2026
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Presents a study exploring non-geographic factors of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals that facilitate or impede access to care for rural veterans. Compares hospital complexity, number of veteran enrollees, and average drive times by percentage of rural veterans served by the 110 VHA hospitals surveyed.
Author(s): Alexandra B. Caloudas, Michihiko Goto, M. Bryant Howren, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70195
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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Rural Residence and Postsurgical Outcomes Among Medicare Beneficiaries
Explores the post-surgical outcomes of Medicare beneficiaries undergoing four common inpatient general surgery operations: appendectomy, cholecystectomy, colectomy, or incisional hernia repair. Compares quality outcomes including mortality, complications, 30-day readmissions, and discharge disposition for rural and nonrural Medicare beneficiaries using Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR) data from 2016 to 2023.
Author(s): Cody Lendon Mullens, Adrian Diaz, Brooke C. Bredbeck, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(8), e2626959
Date: 08/2026
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Explores the post-surgical outcomes of Medicare beneficiaries undergoing four common inpatient general surgery operations: appendectomy, cholecystectomy, colectomy, or incisional hernia repair. Compares quality outcomes including mortality, complications, 30-day readmissions, and discharge disposition for rural and nonrural Medicare beneficiaries using Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR) data from 2016 to 2023.
Author(s): Cody Lendon Mullens, Adrian Diaz, Brooke C. Bredbeck, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(8), e2626959
Date: 08/2026
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Reimagining Rural Maternal and Child Health
Describes Rural Health Transformation Program efforts in 6 states addressing maternal and child health through workforce recruitment and retention, technology and regional hubs, and integrated care models.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Governors Association
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Describes Rural Health Transformation Program efforts in 6 states addressing maternal and child health through workforce recruitment and retention, technology and regional hubs, and integrated care models.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Governors Association
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Evaluation of a Minigrant Program for Multilevel Interventions to Promote Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in Rural Communities in Georgia
Examines 4 health department minigrant programs related to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake in rural communities. Analyzes program results according to reach of patients, intervention levels, HPV vaccination effectiveness, implementation barriers, and sustainability.
Author(s): Cam Escoffery, Courtney Petagna, Rithika Chari, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23
Date: 08/2026
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Examines 4 health department minigrant programs related to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake in rural communities. Analyzes program results according to reach of patients, intervention levels, HPV vaccination effectiveness, implementation barriers, and sustainability.
Author(s): Cam Escoffery, Courtney Petagna, Rithika Chari, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23
Date: 08/2026
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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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Rural Health Curriculum in Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs: A Narrative Review
Evaluates 93 Bachelor of Science in Nursing courses and initiatives to determine how rural health is integrated into course curricula. Includes analysis of course or initiative length, population focus, and states where courses are located. Discusses rural in larger population health training contexts, training methods, and implications for training the rural nursing workforce.
Author(s): Kyanna Harris, Hilary N. Touchett, Alexandra Caloudas, Kelley Arredondo
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3)
Date: 08/2026
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Evaluates 93 Bachelor of Science in Nursing courses and initiatives to determine how rural health is integrated into course curricula. Includes analysis of course or initiative length, population focus, and states where courses are located. Discusses rural in larger population health training contexts, training methods, and implications for training the rural nursing workforce.
Author(s): Kyanna Harris, Hilary N. Touchett, Alexandra Caloudas, Kelley Arredondo
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3)
Date: 08/2026
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