Rural Health
Resources by Type: Document
Rural Residence and Mental Health among US Veterans: Findings from the Millennium Cohort Study
Details a study on the effect rurality, social vulnerability, drive time from Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities, and VHA utilization have on the mental health of rural veterans. Breaks down data by participants' age, education, and military service, among other measures.
Author(s): Claire A. Kolaja, Javier Villalobos, Julia Seay, et al.
Citation: PLOS One, 21(4), e0346780
Date: 04/2026
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Details a study on the effect rurality, social vulnerability, drive time from Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities, and VHA utilization have on the mental health of rural veterans. Breaks down data by participants' age, education, and military service, among other measures.
Author(s): Claire A. Kolaja, Javier Villalobos, Julia Seay, et al.
Citation: PLOS One, 21(4), e0346780
Date: 04/2026
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Income and Geographic Disparities in in-Hospital Mortality Following Cardiovascular Procedures: Evidence From the National Inpatient Sample, 2016–2022
Examines in-hospital mortality following cardiovascular procedures as related to income and geographic disparities. Utilizes 2016-2022 National Inpatient Sample data to analyze various cardiovascular procedures and associated mortality risk by income as well as by location of non-metro, metro of 50,000 to 999,000 residents, or metro of 1,000,000 or more residents.
Author(s): Alon Bergman, Ashwin Nathan
Citation: Health Services Research, 61(2), e70117
Date: 04/2026
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Examines in-hospital mortality following cardiovascular procedures as related to income and geographic disparities. Utilizes 2016-2022 National Inpatient Sample data to analyze various cardiovascular procedures and associated mortality risk by income as well as by location of non-metro, metro of 50,000 to 999,000 residents, or metro of 1,000,000 or more residents.
Author(s): Alon Bergman, Ashwin Nathan
Citation: Health Services Research, 61(2), e70117
Date: 04/2026
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Peer Recovery Supports for Behavioral Health in Rural Communities
Discusses behavioral health peer recovery support services in rural and agricultural communities. Highlights innovative and promising practices for overcoming behavioral health barriers, such as addressing stigma, social isolation, and scarcity of services through community and peer supports.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Discusses behavioral health peer recovery support services in rural and agricultural communities. Highlights innovative and promising practices for overcoming behavioral health barriers, such as addressing stigma, social isolation, and scarcity of services through community and peer supports.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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April 2026 MACPAC Meeting Transcript
Transcript from the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission's (MACPAC) April 2026 meeting. Covers community engagement requirements in Medicaid, state and federal tools for ensuring accountability of Medicaid managed care plans, the role of the state Medicaid agency in the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), pharmacy benefit managers and Medicaid, and more. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Transcript from the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission's (MACPAC) April 2026 meeting. Covers community engagement requirements in Medicaid, state and federal tools for ensuring accountability of Medicaid managed care plans, the role of the state Medicaid agency in the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), pharmacy benefit managers and Medicaid, and more. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Notes from the Field: Tetanus in Four Children — Idaho, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin, 2024
Reports on four cases of tetanus in children who had not completed a primary tetanus toxoid–containing vaccine (TTCV) series and did not receive TTCV or tetanus immunoglobulin (TIG) after exposure and before illness onset. Two of the four children lived in nonmetro areas.
Author(s): Katherine L. Campbell, Avnika B. Amin, Jessica Goswitz, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 75(14), 192-193
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Reports on four cases of tetanus in children who had not completed a primary tetanus toxoid–containing vaccine (TTCV) series and did not receive TTCV or tetanus immunoglobulin (TIG) after exposure and before illness onset. Two of the four children lived in nonmetro areas.
Author(s): Katherine L. Campbell, Avnika B. Amin, Jessica Goswitz, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 75(14), 192-193
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Prevalence of Selected Chronic Conditions Among Adults Age 45 and Older, by Age and Urbanization Level: United States, 2024
Provides data on the prevalence of heart disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and stroke among adults age 45 and older by level of rurality, using data from the 2024 National Health Interview Survey.
Author(s): Xun Wang, Lindsey I. Black
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Provides data on the prevalence of heart disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and stroke among adults age 45 and older by level of rurality, using data from the 2024 National Health Interview Survey.
Author(s): Xun Wang, Lindsey I. Black
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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A Mixed-Methods Approach for Understanding Cancer Center Catchment Area Needs: An Example of Rural Cancer Disparities, Needs, and Resiliencies
Examines the catchment area for the University of Iowa Health Care Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center and provides data on cancer burden, risks and protective factors, needs and barriers, and assets and resources related to cancer in Iowa. Utilizes rural versus urban cancer registry data as well as qualitative interview data from Iowa leaders to discuss cancer disparities in rural areas.
Author(s): Stephanie Evett, Amanda Kahl, Megan E. Schmidt, et al.
Citation: Cancer Causes Control, 37, 82
Date: 04/2026
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Examines the catchment area for the University of Iowa Health Care Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center and provides data on cancer burden, risks and protective factors, needs and barriers, and assets and resources related to cancer in Iowa. Utilizes rural versus urban cancer registry data as well as qualitative interview data from Iowa leaders to discuss cancer disparities in rural areas.
Author(s): Stephanie Evett, Amanda Kahl, Megan E. Schmidt, et al.
Citation: Cancer Causes Control, 37, 82
Date: 04/2026
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Population-Based Associations of Body Mass Index and Treatments Received for Breast Cancer in a Rural, Midwestern State
Examines how breast cancer treatment differed by body mass index (BMI), using 2010-2020 Iowa Cancer Registry data of 18,115 patients. Includes data breakdowns by patient rurality and hospital rurality.
Author(s): Breanna L. Blaess, Amanda R. Kahl, Ingrid Lizarraga, et al.
Citation: Cancer Medicine, 15(4), e71831
Date: 04/2026
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Examines how breast cancer treatment differed by body mass index (BMI), using 2010-2020 Iowa Cancer Registry data of 18,115 patients. Includes data breakdowns by patient rurality and hospital rurality.
Author(s): Breanna L. Blaess, Amanda R. Kahl, Ingrid Lizarraga, et al.
Citation: Cancer Medicine, 15(4), e71831
Date: 04/2026
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April 2026 MedPAC Meeting Transcript
Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) April 2026 meeting. Covers Medicare payment incentives, regional benchmarks and benchmark-plan availability in the Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) market, preferred networks and pharmacy access in Medicare Part D, the estimated association between Medicare Advantage enrollment and hospitals' and post-acute care providers' finances, information sources that beneficiaries use to make Medicare enrollment decisions, and institutional special-needs plans. Includes a mandated report on the assessment of the Medicare ground ambulance data collection system. Includes rural references and considerations throughout.
Additional links: Advising the Congress on Medicare Issues Preferred Networks and Pharmacy Access in Part D, Mandated Report: Assessment of the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) April 2026 meeting. Covers Medicare payment incentives, regional benchmarks and benchmark-plan availability in the Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) market, preferred networks and pharmacy access in Medicare Part D, the estimated association between Medicare Advantage enrollment and hospitals' and post-acute care providers' finances, information sources that beneficiaries use to make Medicare enrollment decisions, and institutional special-needs plans. Includes a mandated report on the assessment of the Medicare ground ambulance data collection system. Includes rural references and considerations throughout.
Additional links: Advising the Congress on Medicare Issues Preferred Networks and Pharmacy Access in Part D, Mandated Report: Assessment of the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Trends Among Medicare Special Needs Plan Enrollment in Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Areas
Examines enrollment trends from 2016-2025 in Medicare Advantage plans that provide benefits and services to people with specific conditions or healthcare needs, or who also have Medicaid. Features statistics with breakdowns by year and by metropolitan or nonmetropolitan location.
Author(s): Edmer Lazaro, Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Examines enrollment trends from 2016-2025 in Medicare Advantage plans that provide benefits and services to people with specific conditions or healthcare needs, or who also have Medicaid. Features statistics with breakdowns by year and by metropolitan or nonmetropolitan location.
Author(s): Edmer Lazaro, Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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