Rural Health
Resources by Type: Document
Federal Policy Priorities to Strengthen Rural Health and Maximize Rural Health Transformation Program Investments
Presents policy recommendations for Congressional and CMS actions to bolster rural health and ensure Rural Health Transformation Program investments are transparent, durable, and effective. Covers recommendations related to telehealth and health information technology investments, the rural healthcare workforce, and rural hospital programs and eligibility.
Author(s): Daisy Kim, Maya Sandalow
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Presents policy recommendations for Congressional and CMS actions to bolster rural health and ensure Rural Health Transformation Program investments are transparent, durable, and effective. Covers recommendations related to telehealth and health information technology investments, the rural healthcare workforce, and rural hospital programs and eligibility.
Author(s): Daisy Kim, Maya Sandalow
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Can Schools Detect Mild Hearing Loss? Evaluating Screening Accuracy and Feasibility
Examines the feasibility of accurate screening for mild hearing loss in rural Alaska. Analyzes results of screening 318 children with two pure-tone hearing screening levels and discusses the importance of accurate and reliable screening methods in rural schools.
Author(s): Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Jasmine Stewart, Christina Reaves, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 207, 112849
Date: 08/2026
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Examines the feasibility of accurate screening for mild hearing loss in rural Alaska. Analyzes results of screening 318 children with two pure-tone hearing screening levels and discusses the importance of accurate and reliable screening methods in rural schools.
Author(s): Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Jasmine Stewart, Christina Reaves, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 207, 112849
Date: 08/2026
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Unequal Paths to Care: How Region, Rurality, and Deprivation Determine Transport to Verified Trauma Centers among the Critically Injured
Examines the relationship among rurality, area deprivation index (ADI), and trauma center transport of critically injured patients. Utilizes 2018-2022 National Emergency Medical Services Information System data from 36,897,269 critically injured patients and analyzes rural versus urban transport to a trauma center, region of the country, and ADI.
Author(s): Amani Sampson, Edward Helderop, Tokoya Williams, et al.
Citation: Surgery, 196, 110232
Date: 08/2026
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Examines the relationship among rurality, area deprivation index (ADI), and trauma center transport of critically injured patients. Utilizes 2018-2022 National Emergency Medical Services Information System data from 36,897,269 critically injured patients and analyzes rural versus urban transport to a trauma center, region of the country, and ADI.
Author(s): Amani Sampson, Edward Helderop, Tokoya Williams, et al.
Citation: Surgery, 196, 110232
Date: 08/2026
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Young Adult Urbanicity, Late Midlife Neighborhood Disadvantage, and Cognitive Functioning in Community-Dwelling Older Men
Examines the impact of geography and neighborhood socioeconomics on cognitive function in older men. Analyzes data of cognitive performance from 881 community-dwelling men with additional breakdowns according to demographic variables, rural versus urban location, and area disadvantage index (ADI).
Author(s): Rongxiang Tang, Asad Beck, Daniel E Gustavson, et al.
Citation: The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 81(8)
Date: 08/2026
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Examines the impact of geography and neighborhood socioeconomics on cognitive function in older men. Analyzes data of cognitive performance from 881 community-dwelling men with additional breakdowns according to demographic variables, rural versus urban location, and area disadvantage index (ADI).
Author(s): Rongxiang Tang, Asad Beck, Daniel E Gustavson, et al.
Citation: The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 81(8)
Date: 08/2026
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Federally Supported Projects and Programs for Wastewater, Drinking Water, and Water Supply Infrastructure
Provides an overview of federally-funded water infrastructure projects, including those in rural areas, as well as programs that provide community support for these types of projects and related activities. Includes information on the federal cost-share, average amount of assistance, fiscal year 2021 funding level, and fiscal year 2026 appropriations highlights for each program.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Provides an overview of federally-funded water infrastructure projects, including those in rural areas, as well as programs that provide community support for these types of projects and related activities. Includes information on the federal cost-share, average amount of assistance, fiscal year 2021 funding level, and fiscal year 2026 appropriations highlights for each program.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Safe Minimum Nurse Staffing Requirements for Hospitals: Evidence from Pennsylvania
Explores the variation in nurse staffing ratios at 132 Pennsylvania hospitals in 2023. Examines whether medical-surgical nurse staffing ratios are associated with nurse job outcomes, patient clinical outcomes, and hospital costs. Compares findings by rural and urban hospital location. Describes the potential implications of minimum nurse staffing policies in Pennsylvania on nurses, patient care, and costs.
Author(s): K. Jane Muir, Linda H. Aiken, Heather Brom, et al.
Citation: Medical Care, 64(7), 447-455
Date: 07/2026
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Explores the variation in nurse staffing ratios at 132 Pennsylvania hospitals in 2023. Examines whether medical-surgical nurse staffing ratios are associated with nurse job outcomes, patient clinical outcomes, and hospital costs. Compares findings by rural and urban hospital location. Describes the potential implications of minimum nurse staffing policies in Pennsylvania on nurses, patient care, and costs.
Author(s): K. Jane Muir, Linda H. Aiken, Heather Brom, et al.
Citation: Medical Care, 64(7), 447-455
Date: 07/2026
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Collaborations Between Local Public Health and Healthcare: A Case Study Series Highlighting Rural Success Stories
Presents case studies highlighting successful collaborations between rural-serving local health departments and local healthcare organizations, focusing on purposes, structures, challenges, and lessons learned. Features programs in Oregon, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
Author(s): Stephanie M. Mathis, Kayla M. Alvis, Benjamin Pelton, et al.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organizations: East Tennessee State University Center for Rural Health and Research, The Consortium for Workforce Research in Public Health
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Presents case studies highlighting successful collaborations between rural-serving local health departments and local healthcare organizations, focusing on purposes, structures, challenges, and lessons learned. Features programs in Oregon, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
Author(s): Stephanie M. Mathis, Kayla M. Alvis, Benjamin Pelton, et al.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organizations: East Tennessee State University Center for Rural Health and Research, The Consortium for Workforce Research in Public Health
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A Multilevel Adaptation Approach for the Sustainable Scale-Up of Family Cancer History Screening in Rural Public Health Clinics
Provides an overview of a multilevel approach to improve delivery of a family cancer history screening program. Outlines a 14-month adaptation process of a public health district in rural Georgia as well as individual, provider, clinic, organization, and community adaptations. Discusses the impact of partnerships among public health agencies, community organizations, and academic institutions to sustain successful implementation frameworks, multilevel stakeholder engagement, and adaptations of hereditary cancer screening programs.
Author(s): Yue Guan, Shacoria Anderson, Cindy Snyder, et al.
Citation: Archives of Public Health, 84, 221
Date: 07/2026
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Provides an overview of a multilevel approach to improve delivery of a family cancer history screening program. Outlines a 14-month adaptation process of a public health district in rural Georgia as well as individual, provider, clinic, organization, and community adaptations. Discusses the impact of partnerships among public health agencies, community organizations, and academic institutions to sustain successful implementation frameworks, multilevel stakeholder engagement, and adaptations of hereditary cancer screening programs.
Author(s): Yue Guan, Shacoria Anderson, Cindy Snyder, et al.
Citation: Archives of Public Health, 84, 221
Date: 07/2026
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Rural Health Workforce Challenges and the Role of Networks
Describes the national rural health workforce shortage and challenges related to the recruitment and retention of healthcare providers in rural areas. Discusses strategies rural health networks can take to address workforce shortages, including health professions pipelines and a recruitment and retention framework.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Georgia Health Policy Center
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Describes the national rural health workforce shortage and challenges related to the recruitment and retention of healthcare providers in rural areas. Discusses strategies rural health networks can take to address workforce shortages, including health professions pipelines and a recruitment and retention framework.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Georgia Health Policy Center
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State Midwifery Full Practice Authority Policies and Midwife-Attended Births among Rural and Urban U.S. Residents
Analyzes how the implementation of state policies providing full practice authority to midwives was associated with the percentage of midwife-attended births in rural and urban areas between 2007 and 2023, using CDC WONDER data. Compares rates of midwife-attended births among states with and without full practice authority and those that passed policies during the study period.
Author(s): Clara E. Busse, Emily C. Sheffield, Caitlin Carroll, et al.
Citation: Women's Health Issues, 36(5), 436-443
Date: 07/2026
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Analyzes how the implementation of state policies providing full practice authority to midwives was associated with the percentage of midwife-attended births in rural and urban areas between 2007 and 2023, using CDC WONDER data. Compares rates of midwife-attended births among states with and without full practice authority and those that passed policies during the study period.
Author(s): Clara E. Busse, Emily C. Sheffield, Caitlin Carroll, et al.
Citation: Women's Health Issues, 36(5), 436-443
Date: 07/2026
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