Rural Health
Resources by Type: Document
Impact of School Rurality on Fruit and Vegetable Selection Differs by Sex and Eating Duration for Arizona Schools
Analyzes how fruit and vegetable selection, consumption, and waste vary by rurality, sex, and eating duration in Arizona schools. Uses data collected in Arizona elementary, middle, and high schools between 2017 and 2019.
Author(s): Mary Curnutte, Alaina L. Pearce, Marc Adams, Traci Grgich, Meg Bruening
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70208
Date: 08/2026
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Analyzes how fruit and vegetable selection, consumption, and waste vary by rurality, sex, and eating duration in Arizona schools. Uses data collected in Arizona elementary, middle, and high schools between 2017 and 2019.
Author(s): Mary Curnutte, Alaina L. Pearce, Marc Adams, Traci Grgich, Meg Bruening
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70208
Date: 08/2026
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MedPAC Comment on CMS's Proposed Rule on the Payment System for End-Stage Renal Disease for CY 2027
Comments on a June 26, 2026, Federal Register proposed rule related to Medicare payment policies for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Includes comments addressing updates to the ESRD bundled market basket and the low-volume payment adjustment (LVPA), approaches to increase home dialysis use, and more.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Comments on a June 26, 2026, Federal Register proposed rule related to Medicare payment policies for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Includes comments addressing updates to the ESRD bundled market basket and the low-volume payment adjustment (LVPA), approaches to increase home dialysis use, and more.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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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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Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Evaluation of Compliance with the Rural and Distance Requirements
Provides guidance regarding the evaluation of Critical Access Hospital (CAH) status and location requirements for current CAHs and initial CAH determinations. Covers the circumstances that trigger a CAH eligibility review, the evaluation of whether a proposed provider-based location will impact a CAH's status, and procedures for decennial reviews of existing CAHs.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Provides guidance regarding the evaluation of Critical Access Hospital (CAH) status and location requirements for current CAHs and initial CAH determinations. Covers the circumstances that trigger a CAH eligibility review, the evaluation of whether a proposed provider-based location will impact a CAH's status, and procedures for decennial reviews of existing CAHs.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Measuring the Association of Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations on Total Cost of Care Across the Perinatal Period
Evaluates the impact of Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) on the cost of healthcare in prenatal, delivery, and postpartum periods. Compares 150,879 Medicaid-covered live deliveries in Massachusetts practices that both did and did not participate in an ACO implementation between January 2016 and March 2023. Includes the rural ZIP code residence percentage for deliveries included in the study.
Author(s): Kathleen Carey, Megan B. Cole
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(8)
Date: 08/2026
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Evaluates the impact of Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) on the cost of healthcare in prenatal, delivery, and postpartum periods. Compares 150,879 Medicaid-covered live deliveries in Massachusetts practices that both did and did not participate in an ACO implementation between January 2016 and March 2023. Includes the rural ZIP code residence percentage for deliveries included in the study.
Author(s): Kathleen Carey, Megan B. Cole
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(8)
Date: 08/2026
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Underground Power Lines in Pennsylvania
Reviews the structure of the electrical grid and the reliability of electric service in Pennsylvania. Discusses common causes of outages, financial and health impacts associated with outages, and the impact of severe weather on the electric grid. Mentions rural throughout.
Additional links: Summary
Author(s): Bryan W. DeWalt, Jae Wan Ahn, Karen Maynard, Richard Hoey, Wendy L. Baker
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Joint State Government Commission, General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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Reviews the structure of the electrical grid and the reliability of electric service in Pennsylvania. Discusses common causes of outages, financial and health impacts associated with outages, and the impact of severe weather on the electric grid. Mentions rural throughout.
Additional links: Summary
Author(s): Bryan W. DeWalt, Jae Wan Ahn, Karen Maynard, Richard Hoey, Wendy L. Baker
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Joint State Government Commission, General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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Delta Regional Authority - 25 Years of Impact, 2000-2025
Discusses the Delta Regional Authority's strategic investments, programming, and initiatives from 2000-2025. Focuses on critical and human infrastructure, public works, capacity building, workforce opportunities and health system improvements in rural areas, and more.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Delta Regional Authority
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Discusses the Delta Regional Authority's strategic investments, programming, and initiatives from 2000-2025. Focuses on critical and human infrastructure, public works, capacity building, workforce opportunities and health system improvements in rural areas, and more.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Delta Regional Authority
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Five Milestones to Addressing Rural Veteran Care Coordination, Care Management, and Case Management Needs: An Integrated Case Management Practice Framework
Explores the implementation of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Care Coordination and Integrated Case Management (CCICM) program into rural facilities. Highlights the goals of the CCICM program and outlines the challenges of implementing it in rural areas. Breaks down the implementation process into five milestones – leadership awareness, facility readiness, preparing to implement, systems and clinical integration, and establishment of a governance structure.
Author(s): Christine Melillo, Heidi Sjoberg, Marcie Lee, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70190
Date: 08/2026
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Explores the implementation of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Care Coordination and Integrated Case Management (CCICM) program into rural facilities. Highlights the goals of the CCICM program and outlines the challenges of implementing it in rural areas. Breaks down the implementation process into five milestones – leadership awareness, facility readiness, preparing to implement, systems and clinical integration, and establishment of a governance structure.
Author(s): Christine Melillo, Heidi Sjoberg, Marcie Lee, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70190
Date: 08/2026
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Spatial and Temporal Trends of Access to Birthing Hospitals in Illinois, 2016–2021
Explores changes in travel time to obstetric care between 2016 and 2021 in Illinois at the census tract level, using Illinois Department of Public Health and American Community Survey data. Provides data on access to care by rural or urban dwelling, among other demographic comparisons.
Author(s): Mechelle D. Claridy, Barbara Chebet Keino, Lauren M. Ramsey, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23
Date: 08/2026
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Explores changes in travel time to obstetric care between 2016 and 2021 in Illinois at the census tract level, using Illinois Department of Public Health and American Community Survey data. Provides data on access to care by rural or urban dwelling, among other demographic comparisons.
Author(s): Mechelle D. Claridy, Barbara Chebet Keino, Lauren M. Ramsey, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23
Date: 08/2026
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Rural West Virginia Health Center Helps Patients Access Prescriptions
Features Mountain Laurel Integrated Healthcare (MLIH), which started its own onsite pharmacy to help patients fill prescriptions the same day they see their provider. MLIH offers medication management, compliance packaging, and assistance addressing access barriers.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Features Mountain Laurel Integrated Healthcare (MLIH), which started its own onsite pharmacy to help patients fill prescriptions the same day they see their provider. MLIH offers medication management, compliance packaging, and assistance addressing access barriers.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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