https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/returning-soldier-and-veteran-health Rural Veterans and Access to Healthcare resources related to rural health, with information provided by the Rural Health Information Hub en Copyright 2026 Rural Health Information Hub https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/02/2026-04006/veterans-rural-health-advisory-committee-notice-of-meeting The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) will hold a virtual public meeting on March 23, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Eastern. Agenda items include updates from VA leadership, the Executive Director of the VA Office of Rural Health, and the Committee Chair, as well as presentations by subject matter experts on general rural healthcare access. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38295 Mon, 02 Mar 2026 08:35:22 -0600 https://www.va.gov/asheville-health-care/stories/serving-rural-veterans-through-research/ Highlights the work of the Western North Carolina VA Health Care System in including rural veterans in research studies and developing new treatments. Describes the benefits of research inclusion for both the participating veterans and research generally. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38290 Thu, 26 Feb 2026 09:45:53 -0600 https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2025/2025_National_Veteran_Suicide_Prevention_Annual_Report_PART_1_FINAL.pdf Report highlights the rate of suicide among veterans and the VA's role in suicide prevention. Discusses the causes of veteran suicide and the steps the VA is taking for suicide prevention. Breaks down rates of suicide by sex, contact with the VHA, and rurality, among other factors. The 2025 report is split into two parts. The second part is added as an additional link. -- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27405 Fri, 20 Feb 2026 10:19:13 -0600 https://rethinkingclinicaltrials.org/news/february-19-2026-ramp-pilot-study-supports-telehealth-mind-body-program-for-rural-veterans-with-chronic-pain/ Summarizes recent research finding that multimodal, telehealth delivered mind-body and exercise interventions are effective for rural veterans experiencing chronic pain. Notes that the program could be easily accessed by rural veterans due to the use of nonclinicians. Describes planned modifications for future programs iterations. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38266 Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:51:00 -0600 https://journals.lww.com/lww-medicalcare/fulltext/2026/01001/predictors_of_inpatient_rn_turnover_in_rural_and.4.aspx A study on the rates and associated factors of registered nursing (RN) workforce turnover in rural and urban Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals. Breaks down data by RN demographic factors, such as age, salary, and experience within the VHA, and hospital factors, such as average age, average base salary, and average number of units worked, among other factors. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26949 Tue, 09 Dec 2025 11:43:48 -0600 https://www.innovation.va.gov/hil/assets-3-5/documents/OHIL_State_of_Innovation_Report_2024.pdf Reports on innovative programs and services in the U.S. Veterans Health Administration. Highlights pilot projects, projects being planned, and projects already implemented at local VA facilities. Discusses rural projects related to physical therapy, telehealth for podiatry and dentistry, and social connection. -- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/24391 Mon, 20 Oct 2025 10:32:32 -0500 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hed.28209 Explores the geographic and socioeconomic factors that correlate with the higher rates and worse outcomes for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas among veterans compared to civilians. Breaks down data by socioeconomic factors, such as marital status, unemployment, and service connection, among other factors, as well as rurality, travel distance, and drive time. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26357 Wed, 17 Sep 2025 08:43:28 -0500 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2838027 Explores the potential relationship between the drive-time to tobacco dependence treatment (TDT) services and the development of COPD among smokers. Details distances of rural smokers to TDT services. Draws from Veterans Affairs data and breaks down data by demographic characteristics, treatment type, and rural versus urban location, among other measures. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26203 Wed, 27 Aug 2025 20:37:53 -0500 https://www.ruralhealth.va.gov/docs/ORH-Rural-Research-Agenda-508c.pdf Report outlines the goals and objectives of the research funding provided through the VHA Office of Rural Health (ORH). Details the ORH funding mechanisms and improvement priorities. -- Veterans Health Administration's Office of Rural Health https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26170 Thu, 21 Aug 2025 17:06:00 -0500 https://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/for_researchers/cyber_seminars/archives/video_archive.cfm?SessionID=6492&Seriesid=120 Webinar recording discussing federal rural designations, how rural is defined by the Office of Rural Health in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), and using VHA data sources. -- VA Health Systems Research, Office of Research & Development, Veterans Health Administration's Office of Rural Health https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/25916 Tue, 15 Jul 2025 11:26:14 -0500 https://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/publications/vets_perspectives/Jul-Aug25-Rural-Veterans-Thoughts-on-High-Suicide-Rates-in-Their-Communities.cfm Highlights a study on the perspective of rural veterans on methods for suicide prevention in their communities. Bases findings on a survey of veterans in rural counties in Oregon and explores perceptions around socioeconomic resources, person-centered healthcare, and having a strong sense of community. -- VA Health Systems Research, Office of Research & Development https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/25836 Tue, 01 Jul 2025 14:46:20 -0500 https://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/impacts/social-workers-rural-vets.cfm 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. -- VA Health Systems Research, Office of Research & Development https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/25333 Wed, 26 Mar 2025 10:15:57 -0500 https://shmpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jhm.13544 Analyzes Veterans Health Administration hospital admissions data from 2016 to 2020 to determine the burden of alcohol use disorder on 129 rural and urban hospitals. Data shows break down of patient characteristics, hospital characteristics, and admissions characteristics. Discusses mortality and the potential impact of COVID-19. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/25024 Fri, 17 Jan 2025 10:22:36 -0600 https://shmpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jhm.13474 Details a study on the efficacy of a workforce training and development initiative implemented in several rural Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals. Discusses the High Reliability, Leaning Environment, and Workforce Development Initiative (AIM-HI) and explores outcomes in terms of job satisfaction, burnout, turnover, and retention of rural VHA workforce, among other measures. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/24909 Fri, 03 Jan 2025 18:54:30 -0600 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21501319241277411 Examines and locates veteran food insecurity in rural areas by mapping areas of high vulnerability with geographic information systems (GIS). Utilizes multiple data sources to map out Veterans Health Administration (VHA) locations, food deserts, high veteran population density, low community health rankings, and more. Shows locations in the U.S. that have a high population of veterans and food insecurity that are near a VHA location and may benefit from interventions. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/24628 Mon, 25 Nov 2024 09:31:13 -0600 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11563945/ Highlights a study on the wellbeing of rural veterans with service-connected disabilities or health conditions. Breaks down data by age, sex, and education, among other measures. Compares wellbeing scores with veterans without service-connected disabilities. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/24579 Tue, 19 Nov 2024 20:06:48 -0600 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1475-6773.14316 Highlights a study of VA healthcare navigators (HCNs) effectiveness in helping rural veterans experiencing housing instability access healthcare services. Explores interpersonal, intrapersonal, and community-level barriers and facilitators to HCN services. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/24487 Thu, 07 Nov 2024 18:13:25 -0600 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1475-6773.14327 Presents a study on the efficacy of a VA program to expand access of social work services to rural veterans. Draws data from VA sites that participated in the program from October 2016 to September 2021. Compares social worker utilization by rural and urban veterans and breaks down data by age and reason for visit, among other factors. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/24486 Thu, 07 Nov 2024 17:38:01 -0600 https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RRA3200/RRA3212-1/RAND_RRA3212-1.pdf Offers a profile of caregivers for military members and veterans. Discusses demographic, physical and mental health, geography, costs, support systems, and more. Includes recommendations for healthcare access, policy, and research based on report findings. Discusses rural throughout and includes an analysis on the differences between rural and urban caregiving in Chapter 7. -- RAND Corporation https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/24462 Wed, 06 Nov 2024 09:18:19 -0600 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11528153/ Presents a study on the perceptions of trainee clinicians in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on the satisfaction they feel towards their training and future employment in rural and urban facilities and compares their answers before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Bases finding on a survey of physicians and nurses in rural and urban areas receiving training in a VA facility and compares responses from August, 2018 to July, 2021. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/24446 Mon, 04 Nov 2024 18:57:24 -0600 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12910-024-01117-w Analyzes the Advance Care Planning via Group Visits (ACP-GV) intervention among identifiable subgroups and their potential differing needs. Examines healthcare records of 26,857 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) users regarding their ACP knowledge and planning, with demographic breakdowns according to sex, marital status, and rural versus urban location. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/24405 Mon, 28 Oct 2024 11:30:45 -0500 https://www.nachc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Recommended-Language-for-Veteran-Status-Screening-Question-in-Health-Centers.pdf Provides best practices for how to identify veteran populations during screening at Health Centers. Includes data on percentage and number of veteran patients for selected states. Slide 3 shows the percentage of patients seen in rural versus urban locations. -- National Association of Community Health Centers https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/24363 Tue, 22 Oct 2024 12:03:25 -0500 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/veterans-oct-2024 An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring Matt Coleman, Director of the Kentucky State Office of Rural Health, and James VanCleave, Rural Project Manager, Veterans Services for the KORH. Focuses on their work helping veterans access services and receive care and benefits from the VA and other providers. -- Rural Health Information Hub https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/24304 Tue, 15 Oct 2024 09:21:10 -0500 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1475-6773.14384 Discusses how lung cancer screening (LCS) is coordinated across veteran affairs (VA) and non-VA healthcare systems. Analyzes 6 VA medical centers with LCS programs and provides feedback from semi-structured interviews with related LCS program and healthcare professionals. Discusses challenges with LCS coordination across the care continuum, with commentary specific to rural veterans. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/24254 Tue, 08 Oct 2024 10:38:21 -0500 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5219955/ Examines rural and urban community pharmacy patients in Pennsylvania to describe and compare patterns of opioid medication misuse. Identifies demographic and risk factors associated with rural and urban opioid medication misuse. Includes demographic statistics by rural and urban areas, such as education, employment status, and misuse behaviors. Offers recommendations to address opioid medication misuse. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/10594 Mon, 16 Sep 2024 11:26:14 -0500 https://scholarworks.umt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1062&context=ruralinst_health_wellness Fact sheet highlighting 2018-2022 American Community Survey 5-year estimates related to rural disabled veterans. Includes data on service-connected disability, geography including rural and urban comparisons, and access to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare facilities. Discusses opportunities for Centers for Independent Living. -- University of Montana: Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/23962 Thu, 29 Aug 2024 14:29:53 -0500 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1475-6773.14354 Analyzes the impact of mental health integration into primary care clinics (PC-MHI) among veterans diagnosed with depression. Examines 15,155 patients that screened positively for depression, with data broken down by PC-MHI reach, timeliness of depression treatment, patient sociodemographic variables and health status, and clinic characteristics, including rurality. Discusses patient location and its relationship to veteran mental health disparities. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/23904 Thu, 22 Aug 2024 13:17:16 -0500 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jrh.12865 Examines home health usage and access among veterans in rural and urban areas. Utilizes 2019-2021 Veterans Health Administration (VA) data to analyze rural versus urban home health use, with data broken down by patient sociodemographic variables as well as number of visits. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/23729 Tue, 30 Jul 2024 10:57:18 -0500 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12913-024-11241-3 Presents a study on the perceptions of healthcare access for rural veterans and their families in South Carolina and Florida. Bases findings on interviews with veterans and their spouses on barriers to accessing physical and mental healthcare in their rural communities. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/23665 Mon, 22 Jul 2024 18:47:58 -0500 https://academic.oup.com/painmedicine/article/25/7/480/7623639 Presents a study on the clinical characteristics of rural veterans using opioids for chronic pain and undergoing opioid tapering. Breaks down data on outcomes from tapering for rural veterans who were taking 90 Morphine Equivalent Daily Dose (MEDD) or more. Highlights common tapering outcomes, such as increased pain, suicidal ideation, and other withdrawal symptoms. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/23584 Mon, 08 Jul 2024 20:00:53 -0500