https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/social-determinants-of-health Social Determinants of Health for Rural People resources related to rural health, with information provided by the Rural Health Information Hub en Copyright 2026 Rural Health Information Hub https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jrh.70172 Examines mental health, stress, productivity, and more across different occupational roles in the rural United States. Utilizes 2024 survey data from 1,910 employees and analyzes mental health according to blue-collar versus white-collar occupation, demographics, and mental health condition. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/28086 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:02:26 -0500 https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2026/06/air-conditioning.html Highlights a new Census Bureau tool showing the distribution of homes with air conditioning at the state, county, and census tract levels. The tool can be used to identify communities at highest risk of heat exposure. Includes a national county-level map indicating households without air conditioning. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38617 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:08:32 -0500 https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/2025-AHAR-Part-1.pdf Presents a point-in-time estimate of the number of people experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness in January 2025. Explores national estimates on homeless individuals, families, unaccompanied youth, veterans, and chronically homeless individuals. Provides data on homelessness trends over time, demographics of homeless individuals, sheltered individuals, and differences by geography. -- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/28039 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 13:59:36 -0500 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jrh.70164 Presents a study exploring economic security as a social determinant of health for rural children. Compares rates of economic security for rural and urban children by three different measures: housing instability, food insecurity, and income inadequacy. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27933 Wed, 13 May 2026 09:54:26 -0500 https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1749239/full Provides a literature review on patient-centered burdens and economic outcomes (PCBEOs) for military veterans, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and people living in rural areas. Includes 126 studies from 2015-2025 and examines for PCBEOs such as direct medical and non-medical monetary costs, indirect impacts such as unpaid caregiving and time off work, and intangible burdens such as delayed career advancement. Discusses emotional and psychological strain of PCBEOs among these groups. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27889 Thu, 07 May 2026 08:56:15 -0500 https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1028&context=ruhrc_reports Summarizes recent research in social determinants of health and associated health conditions in rural and urban populations. Identifies gaps in the literature relevant to rural health, and highlights findings relevant to rural and urban economic stability, education access and quality, neighborhood and built environment, and other social and community contexts. -- Rural and Underserved Health Research Center https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27800 Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:58:29 -0500 https://www.richmondfed.org/publications/research/econ_focus/2026/q1-q2_district_digest Examines the relationship between rural population health outcomes and employment security. Provides data on labor force participation, life expectancy, unhealthy days, and disability rates across the rural-urban continuum. Discusses metro versus nonmetro differences in workplace hazards and physical exertion. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27778 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:04:02 -0500 https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/reports/files/Harvard_JCHS_Americas_Rental_Housing_2026.pdf Report details rental housing access across the country. Describes the supply and demand of rental housing, as well as the cost of renting for various income earners. Compares data on the types of housing available to rent and affordability in urban, suburban, and nonmetropolitan communities. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27562 Fri, 13 Mar 2026 16:03:38 -0500 https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/EM-Newsletter-winter-2026.pdf Examines housing challenges in rural areas such as affordability, structural inadequacy, homelessness, aging in place, and disaster response and recovery. Discusses the importance of defining rural as well as local, state, and federal policy and initiatives that address rural housing issues. -- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27538 Wed, 11 Mar 2026 10:09:16 -0500 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/rural-monitor/lead-exposure Highlights efforts in rural Idaho and Kansas to raise awareness of the dangers of lead exposure. Discusses health screenings and follow-up care, as well as outreach activities and educational materials. -- Rural Health Information Hub https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27383 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 13:27:02 -0600 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10552-025-02114-z Examines the relationship between breast cancer types and persistent poverty across rurality and demographic variables. Utilizes county-level 2017-2021 (excluding 2020) Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data to analyze breast cancer subtype rates, with breakdowns according to counties defined as persistent poverty or non-persistent poverty and by rural versus urban. Discusses the impact of sociodemographics on cancer disparities. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27173 Tue, 20 Jan 2026 08:50:41 -0600 https://ers.usda.gov/sites/default/files/_laserfiche/publications/113623/ERR-358.pdf?v=39901 Reports on household food security, food expenditures, and use of federal food and nutrition assistance programs in 2024. Includes food insecurity statistics for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. -- USDA Economic Research Service https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27078 Wed, 31 Dec 2025 08:52:12 -0600 https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1700006/full Examines the impact of community resilience and stroke burden across rural and urban U.S. counties. Utilizes data from Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 65 or older as well as the Baseline Resilience Indicators for Communities (BRIC) index to examine county-level social determinants of health that measure resilience. Provides rural versus urban breakdowns of stroke burden and BRIC resilience metrics. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27066 Tue, 30 Dec 2025 08:44:08 -0600 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11524-025-01020-8 Examines neighborhood socioeconomic status (NSES) variables by census tract and their relationship to public health. Provides data on poverty, use of public assistance, employment characteristics, transportation insecurity, education, and more, by higher density urban, lower density urban, suburban/small town, and rural location. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26907 Wed, 03 Dec 2025 09:02:02 -0600 https://ruralhome.org/housing-production-in-rural-america/ Provides information on rural housing supply from 2013 to 2023. Includes data on houses built and houses lost as well as a U.S. map showing housing change in rural counties. -- Housing Assistance Council https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26891 Fri, 28 Nov 2025 11:01:43 -0600 https://www.arc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Appalachia-Water-Infrastructure-2025.pdf Provides county, state, and metro versus nonmetro data on water and wastewater infrastructure in the Appalachian region. Discusses funding and collaborative possibilities to improve critical infrastructure in Appalachian communities. -- Appalachian Regional Commission https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26790 Fri, 14 Nov 2025 11:25:27 -0600 https://ruralhome.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Rural_Voices_winter_2025_v8_singlepages-1.pdf Provides discussion on housing policy, statistics on rural housing supply, and potential solutions to provide more rural housing options, such as utilizing public lands, manufactured homes, and more. Includes county-level data on housing unit changes and metro versus nonmetro trends in new single family homes. -- Housing Assistance Council https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26777 Thu, 13 Nov 2025 11:36:24 -0600 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/charts/240 Map showing county-level data on the percent of the population that is Multiple or Other Race. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/charts/240 Thu, 06 Nov 2025 14:41:50 -0600 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/charts/239 Map showing county-level data on the percent of the population that is Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/charts/239 Thu, 06 Nov 2025 14:37:49 -0600 https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2025/demo/p60-286.pdf Reports on income levels for 2023 and 2024, along with the percent change from 2022 to 2023. Includes statistics for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Based on data from the 2025 and earlier Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplements. -- U.S. Census Bureau https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26315 Wed, 10 Sep 2025 15:45:29 -0500 https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2025/demo/p60-287.pdf Reports on poverty rates for 2023 and 2024, including changes in official poverty and changes in the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) rate. Includes statistics for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Based on data from the 2025and earlier Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplements. -- U.S. Census Bureau https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26314 Wed, 10 Sep 2025 15:38:30 -0500 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-025-24372-x Presents a study exploring the efficacy of community navigators, such as 211, to help alleviate unmet social needs and change the likelihood of cancer patients with unmet social needs to complete their follow-up care. Discusses the importance of follow-up care in the treatment and prevention of cancer and the barriers individuals with unmet social needs face to receive it. Explores rurality as a potential barrier. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26257 Wed, 03 Sep 2025 23:56:23 -0500 https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2025/demo/p30-12.html Highlights from the 2023 Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE), which provides single-year median household income and poverty statistics. Includes county-level maps showing income and poverty rates in 2023 and changes from 2022 to 2023 for the total population and children. -- U.S. Census Bureau https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26208 Wed, 27 Aug 2025 10:58:27 -0500 https://rhrc.umn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/UMN-PB_manufactured-homes_updated-6.30.pdf Examines rates of living in manufactured homes by rural and urban location, and rates among rural residents by region and socio-demographic characteristics. Features statistics on likelihood of living in manufactured housing, crowded housing by manufactured housing status, and housing quality and cost burden, with breakdowns by urban and rural location. -- University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/25855 Mon, 07 Jul 2025 10:59:59 -0500 https://www.arc.gov/map/county-economic-status-in-appalachia-fy-2026/ Shows levels of economic distress in Appalachian counties based on unemployment rates, income, and poverty levels. Includes interactive map, downloadable maps and data files, and data report. -- Appalachian Regional Commission https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/25644 Fri, 30 May 2025 16:01:02 -0500 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/advisory-committees/rural/opioids-issue-brief-nacrhhs.pdf Explores the considerations for addressing social determinants of health that influence opioid use disorder (OUD) and the role of community efforts in prevention, treatment, and recovery in rural areas, with a focus on prevention efforts in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Discusses youth and family prevention and well-being; stigma; adverse childhood experience; school-based health centers and youth and family resource centers; access to stable housing, food, and other social supports; the importance of trusted community resources for support; and workforce. Offers recommendations related to reducing stigma and promoting the enhanced utilization of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) to help rural communities address OUD and substance use disorders. -- National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/25477 Thu, 24 Apr 2025 11:30:26 -0500 https://acf.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ocs/OCS-Collaborative-on-Economic-Mobility-Research-Report-FY25.pdf Provides a landscape analysis of the Collaborative on Economic Mobility (CEM) cooperative agreement, which focuses on the implementation and strengthening of economic mobility practices. Discusses issues such as social inequities, early childhood education, healthcare access, family and community services, workforce development, policy, housing, transportation, and more. Includes consideration of rural communities, with comparisons of rural versus nonrural employment growth. -- ACF Office of Community Services https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/24898 Thu, 02 Jan 2025 11:38:27 -0600 https://acf.gov/sites/default/files/documents/opre/opre-2021-22-faces-aian-22tables-sept24.pdf Provides a comprehensive overview of Region XI Head Start programs, which works with American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities, and provides data from the Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey (FACES). Includes data on Region XI characteristics, experiences, health status, and needs of children and their families; cultural and linguistic experiences; and characteristics of Head Start programs and staff. -- Administration for Children and Families https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/24652 Wed, 27 Nov 2024 09:27:41 -0600 https://www.ntca.org/sites/default/files/documents/2024-10/understanding-childcare-challenges-in-rural-america.pdf Provides an overview of challenges and barriers to early childcare in rural areas. Offers a roadmap for companies and organizations to identify and address childcare shortages in their communities, as well as state, local, employer, and facility-based recommendations. Features examples of emerging childcare models and initiatives implemented by NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association members. -- Foundation for Rural Service, NTCA: The Rural Broadband Association https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/24524 Wed, 13 Nov 2024 11:05:29 -0600 https://www.marchofdimes.org/sites/default/files/2024-09/2024_MoD_MCD_Report.pdf Explores maternal healthcare access and provides county-level U.S. maps that show maternity care deserts, hospitals that offer obstetric (OB) care, distribution of OB providers, travel time to maternity care, chronic conditions of birthing people, social drivers of health, and more. Includes rural versus urban characteristics of the maternal health workforce as well as access and policy discussions specific to rural areas. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/24052 Tue, 10 Sep 2024 13:42:58 -0500