Chronic Disease in Rural America – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Chronic Disease in Rural America.
Rural–Urban Disparities in State-Level Diabetes Prevalence Among US Adults, 2021
Analyzes diabetes disparities among rural and urban populations in 41 states in the U.S. Utilizes 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to examine rural versus urban disparities and odds ratios (OR) for diabetes in different states.
Author(s): Olga Khavjou, Zohra Tayebali, Pyone Cho, Kristopher Myers, Ping Zhang
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 21
Date: 01/2025
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Analyzes diabetes disparities among rural and urban populations in 41 states in the U.S. Utilizes 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to examine rural versus urban disparities and odds ratios (OR) for diabetes in different states.
Author(s): Olga Khavjou, Zohra Tayebali, Pyone Cho, Kristopher Myers, Ping Zhang
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 21
Date: 01/2025
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America's Health Rankings 2025 Health of Women and Children Report
Provides a national and state-by-state overview of the health of infants, children, and women of reproductive age. Compares rural-urban differences in mortality, severe morbidity, healthcare access, substance use, mental health conditions, and more among reproductive-age women at the national level, including a spotlight on chronic conditions among women in rural communities on document page 3. Includes maps that show concentrated disadvantage by county within each state.
Additional links: Concentrated Disadvantage by County, State Summaries
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
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Provides a national and state-by-state overview of the health of infants, children, and women of reproductive age. Compares rural-urban differences in mortality, severe morbidity, healthcare access, substance use, mental health conditions, and more among reproductive-age women at the national level, including a spotlight on chronic conditions among women in rural communities on document page 3. Includes maps that show concentrated disadvantage by county within each state.
Additional links: Concentrated Disadvantage by County, State Summaries
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
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Drive Time to Care and Retention in HIV Care: Rural–Urban Differences Among Medicaid Enrollees in the United States South
Presents a study on the role geography plays in HIV care retention and maintenance. Draws data from Medicaid enrollees in 13 southern states including the District of Columbia and compares patient drive times to care in rural and urban areas. Breaks down data by county social determinants of health, healthcare supply, and HIV prevalence, as well as patient characteristics.
Author(s): April D. Kimmel, Rose S. Bono, Zhongzhe Pan, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1), e12877
Date: 2025
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Presents a study on the role geography plays in HIV care retention and maintenance. Draws data from Medicaid enrollees in 13 southern states including the District of Columbia and compares patient drive times to care in rural and urban areas. Breaks down data by county social determinants of health, healthcare supply, and HIV prevalence, as well as patient characteristics.
Author(s): April D. Kimmel, Rose S. Bono, Zhongzhe Pan, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1), e12877
Date: 2025
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National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease: 2024 Update
Action plan outlining 6 goals for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to address the challenges facing people with Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD) and their families and to minimize the burden of AD/ADRD. Includes action items related to AD/ADRD treatment and care quality, public awareness and engagement, data tracking, and collaboration to support underserved populations, including rural and tribal communities.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Action plan outlining 6 goals for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to address the challenges facing people with Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD) and their families and to minimize the burden of AD/ADRD. Includes action items related to AD/ADRD treatment and care quality, public awareness and engagement, data tracking, and collaboration to support underserved populations, including rural and tribal communities.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Identifying Best Practices for Improving the Evaluation and Management of Stroke in Rural Lower-Resourced Settings: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Discusses the value of quality improvement and expanded stroke service availability in underserved rural and remote settings. Identifies disparities in stroke care access and patient outcomes, and provides strategies related to policy, investment, training, and inter-organizational cooperation which address challenges in prehospital, inpatient, and postacute care, thrombolysis and ED care, patient transfers, and thrombectomy.
Author(s): Kori S. Zachrison, Kaiz S. Asif, Sherita Chapman, et al.
Citation: Stroke
Date: 12/2024
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Discusses the value of quality improvement and expanded stroke service availability in underserved rural and remote settings. Identifies disparities in stroke care access and patient outcomes, and provides strategies related to policy, investment, training, and inter-organizational cooperation which address challenges in prehospital, inpatient, and postacute care, thrombolysis and ED care, patient transfers, and thrombectomy.
Author(s): Kori S. Zachrison, Kaiz S. Asif, Sherita Chapman, et al.
Citation: Stroke
Date: 12/2024
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QuickStats: Age-Adjusted Percentage of Adults Aged ≥18 Years with Diagnosed Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, by Urbanization Level — United States, 2023
Bar chart showing adult COPD rates for large metropolitan, small and medium metropolitan, and nonmetro areas.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 773(46), 1067
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Bar chart showing adult COPD rates for large metropolitan, small and medium metropolitan, and nonmetro areas.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 773(46), 1067
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Process Evaluation Findings from Strong Hearts, Healthy Communities 2.0: A Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Intervention for Rural Women
Examines the impact and delivery of a 24-week cardiovascular disease prevention program administered to women in rural New York. Utilizes quantitative and qualitative data from 182 participants to analyze implementation measures such as program reach and length, participant attendance and satisfaction, program effectiveness, and more.
Author(s): Jacob Szeszulski, Laura J. Rolke, Priscilla Ayine, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 21, 122
Date: 10/2024
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Examines the impact and delivery of a 24-week cardiovascular disease prevention program administered to women in rural New York. Utilizes quantitative and qualitative data from 182 participants to analyze implementation measures such as program reach and length, participant attendance and satisfaction, program effectiveness, and more.
Author(s): Jacob Szeszulski, Laura J. Rolke, Priscilla Ayine, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 21, 122
Date: 10/2024
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Prevalence of Self-Reported Diagnosed Diabetes Among Adults, by County Metropolitan Status and Region, United States, 2019–2022
Examines rural versus urban diabetes disparities according to U.S. region. Utilizes 2019-2022 National Health Interview Survey data to analyze disparities according to demographic variables such as age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, and bodyweight; urbanicity of large central metro, large fringe metro, small/medium metro, or nonmetro; and region of Northeast, Midwest, South, or West.
Author(s): Stephen Onufrak, Ryan Saelee, Ibrahim Zaganjor, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 21
Date: 10/2024
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Examines rural versus urban diabetes disparities according to U.S. region. Utilizes 2019-2022 National Health Interview Survey data to analyze disparities according to demographic variables such as age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, and bodyweight; urbanicity of large central metro, large fringe metro, small/medium metro, or nonmetro; and region of Northeast, Midwest, South, or West.
Author(s): Stephen Onufrak, Ryan Saelee, Ibrahim Zaganjor, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 21
Date: 10/2024
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The Burden of Cardiovascular Disease in the United States: Patterns and Barriers to Care
Provides an overview of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including related adverse health outcomes, risk factors, and prevention and treatment options. Discusses disparities in CVD burden, barriers patients may face in accessing care, and the economic costs of insufficient CVD prevention and treatment. Presents an analysis of 2019 data on the prevalence of CVD, risk factors, complications, and healthcare utilization and spending among fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries by sex, age, race/ethnicity, Medicaid enrollment, and rural/urban residence. Highlights U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) initiatives to address CVD.
Date: 08/2024
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Provides an overview of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including related adverse health outcomes, risk factors, and prevention and treatment options. Discusses disparities in CVD burden, barriers patients may face in accessing care, and the economic costs of insufficient CVD prevention and treatment. Presents an analysis of 2019 data on the prevalence of CVD, risk factors, complications, and healthcare utilization and spending among fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries by sex, age, race/ethnicity, Medicaid enrollment, and rural/urban residence. Highlights U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) initiatives to address CVD.
Date: 08/2024
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Discharge Disposition for Home Health Care Patients with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia: The Role of Living Arrangements and Rural Living
Examines rural versus urban differences in living arrangements and their impact on discharge disposition of patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD). Analyzes 531,269 Medicare fee-for-service patient records with data breakdowns for living arrangement, such as living alone, living at home with others, or living in a congregate setting, as well as sociodemographic and health condition variables. Discusses rural versus urban disparities when a patient discharges to their community or an institution and the impact of social support on ADRD patients.
Author(s): Daniel Jung, Jeong Ha (Steph) Choi, Kerstin Gerst Emerson
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1)
Date: 08/2024
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Examines rural versus urban differences in living arrangements and their impact on discharge disposition of patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD). Analyzes 531,269 Medicare fee-for-service patient records with data breakdowns for living arrangement, such as living alone, living at home with others, or living in a congregate setting, as well as sociodemographic and health condition variables. Discusses rural versus urban disparities when a patient discharges to their community or an institution and the impact of social support on ADRD patients.
Author(s): Daniel Jung, Jeong Ha (Steph) Choi, Kerstin Gerst Emerson
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1)
Date: 08/2024
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Additional resources are available related to this guide. See the full list of resources by topic for:
- Arthritis
- Cardiovascular disease
- Chronic disease management
- Chronic respiratory conditions
- Diabetes
- Health screening
- HIV and AIDS
- Wellness, health promotion, and disease prevention
Last Updated: 1/7/2026