Healthcare Access in Rural Communities – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Healthcare Access in Rural Communities.
Proximity to Cancer Rehabilitation and Exercise Oncology by Geography, Race, and Socioeconomic Status
Examines the proximity to cancer rehabilitation and exercise oncology (CR/EO) programs and the health impacts of access. Utilizes 2020 American Community Survey (ACS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data to analyze 2,133 CR/EO programs, with breakdowns according to CR/EO distance, density, rural versus urban location, race/ethnicity, social deprivation index, U.S. region, and cancer incidence and mortality. Includes U.S. maps showing location of CR/EO programs and areas with or without proximity to programs.
Author(s): Kathryn H. Schmitz, Kathryn Demanelis, Mary E. Crisafio, et al.
Citation: Cancer: An International Interdisciplinary Journal of the American Cancer Society, 131(1)
Date: 01/2025
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Examines the proximity to cancer rehabilitation and exercise oncology (CR/EO) programs and the health impacts of access. Utilizes 2020 American Community Survey (ACS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data to analyze 2,133 CR/EO programs, with breakdowns according to CR/EO distance, density, rural versus urban location, race/ethnicity, social deprivation index, U.S. region, and cancer incidence and mortality. Includes U.S. maps showing location of CR/EO programs and areas with or without proximity to programs.
Author(s): Kathryn H. Schmitz, Kathryn Demanelis, Mary E. Crisafio, et al.
Citation: Cancer: An International Interdisciplinary Journal of the American Cancer Society, 131(1)
Date: 01/2025
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Travel Burden and Bypassing Closest Site for Surgical Cancer Treatment for Urban and Rural Oncology Patients
Examines travel burden to surgical cancer care and its relationship to rurality, bypassing of the nearest surgical site, and mortality rates. Analyzes 2016-218 data of 211,025 Medicare beneficiaries with cancer and includes breakdowns for type of cancer, surgery versus no surgery, patient demographics, patient health conditions, travel time, mortality rates, and location of metro, micro, or small town/rural.
Author(s): Tracy Onega, Niveditta Ramkumar, Gabriel A. Brooks, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 2025
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Examines travel burden to surgical cancer care and its relationship to rurality, bypassing of the nearest surgical site, and mortality rates. Analyzes 2016-218 data of 211,025 Medicare beneficiaries with cancer and includes breakdowns for type of cancer, surgery versus no surgery, patient demographics, patient health conditions, travel time, mortality rates, and location of metro, micro, or small town/rural.
Author(s): Tracy Onega, Niveditta Ramkumar, Gabriel A. Brooks, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 2025
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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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Health Care Access Barriers Among Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Populations of Eight Geographically Diverse States, 2018
Reports on healthcare access and demographic differences in metro and nonmetro populations. Utilizes Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data to observe differences in noncore, micropolitan, and metropolitan sociodemographics and access barriers such as insurance, cost, non-financial delays in care, and more.
Author(s): Whitney E. Zahnd, Peiyin Hung, Elizabeth L. Crouch, Radhika Ranganathan, Jan M. Eberth
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1), e12855
Date: 2025
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Reports on healthcare access and demographic differences in metro and nonmetro populations. Utilizes Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data to observe differences in noncore, micropolitan, and metropolitan sociodemographics and access barriers such as insurance, cost, non-financial delays in care, and more.
Author(s): Whitney E. Zahnd, Peiyin Hung, Elizabeth L. Crouch, Radhika Ranganathan, Jan M. Eberth
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1), e12855
Date: 2025
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Uninsured Population in Nonmetropolitan Counties
Printable map that shows percent of population without health insurance nationwide by county. Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Health Insurance Estimates (SAHIE)
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Printable map that shows percent of population without health insurance nationwide by county. Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Health Insurance Estimates (SAHIE)
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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The Role of Relaxed Telehealth Policy on Health Equity in Telehealth Utilization and Outcomes During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: A Living Systematic Review
Outlines the findings from living systematic reviews to describe the evidence measuring the association between telehealth use during the COVID-19 pandemic and health equity. Research questions include comparisons between telehealth use in rural and urban areas.
Author(s): Nicholas M. Mohr, J. Priyanka Vakkalanka, Lauren Lavin, et al.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Telehealth Research Center
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Outlines the findings from living systematic reviews to describe the evidence measuring the association between telehealth use during the COVID-19 pandemic and health equity. Research questions include comparisons between telehealth use in rural and urban areas.
Author(s): Nicholas M. Mohr, J. Priyanka Vakkalanka, Lauren Lavin, et al.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Telehealth Research Center
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National Advisory Council on the National Health Service Corps Meeting Agenda, November 19-20, 2024
Agenda and meeting materials for the November 19-20, 2024 meeting, including Bureau of Health Workforce and National Health Services Corps updates, and presentations on limited English proficiency populations, achieving deaf health equity, and re-framing language as an opportunity to improve health equity.
Additional links: Achieving Deaf Equity: Best Practices, Language Access at Yakima Farm Workers Clinic, Language Testing International Assessments and Proficiency Overview, Limited English Proficiency Populations, Re-Framing Language as an Opportunity to Improve Health Equity
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Council on the National Health Service Corps
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Agenda and meeting materials for the November 19-20, 2024 meeting, including Bureau of Health Workforce and National Health Services Corps updates, and presentations on limited English proficiency populations, achieving deaf health equity, and re-framing language as an opportunity to improve health equity.
Additional links: Achieving Deaf Equity: Best Practices, Language Access at Yakima Farm Workers Clinic, Language Testing International Assessments and Proficiency Overview, Limited English Proficiency Populations, Re-Framing Language as an Opportunity to Improve Health Equity
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Council on the National Health Service Corps
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Access to Health Care in Rural America: Current Trends and Key Challenges
Highlights patterns in insurance coverage and uninsurance rates in rural and urban areas, explores non-financial challenges in accessing care faced by rural residents, and describes disparities in health outcomes between urban and rural areas. Features statistics on number of uninsured rural non-elderly adults by state, in 2010 and 2023.
Author(s): Gina Turrini, Eden Volkov, Christie Peters, Nancy De Lew, Thomas Buchmueller
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Highlights patterns in insurance coverage and uninsurance rates in rural and urban areas, explores non-financial challenges in accessing care faced by rural residents, and describes disparities in health outcomes between urban and rural areas. Features statistics on number of uninsured rural non-elderly adults by state, in 2010 and 2023.
Author(s): Gina Turrini, Eden Volkov, Christie Peters, Nancy De Lew, Thomas Buchmueller
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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'A Silent, Unmet Need': Rural Motherhood and the Challenges of Postpartum Care
Discusses the importance of rural access to postpartum care, including perinatal mental healthcare. Features programs in Montana, Maine, and Alaska that are providing support to rural mothers via postpartum doulas, telehealth, and home visiting.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Discusses the importance of rural access to postpartum care, including perinatal mental healthcare. Features programs in Montana, Maine, and Alaska that are providing support to rural mothers via postpartum doulas, telehealth, and home visiting.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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The Intersection of Travel Burdens and Financial Hardship in Cancer Care: A Scoping Review
Examines the relationship among rurality, access to cancer care, travel burdens, and financial hardship. Identifies 95 studies published since 1995 related to cancer-related travel and financial burdens and discusses the impact on patient health outcomes and quality of life.
Author(s): Arrianna Marie Planey, Lisa P. Spees, Caitlin B. Biddell, et al.
Citation: JNCI Cancer Spectrum, 8(5)
Date: 10/2024
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Examines the relationship among rurality, access to cancer care, travel burdens, and financial hardship. Identifies 95 studies published since 1995 related to cancer-related travel and financial burdens and discusses the impact on patient health outcomes and quality of life.
Author(s): Arrianna Marie Planey, Lisa P. Spees, Caitlin B. Biddell, et al.
Citation: JNCI Cancer Spectrum, 8(5)
Date: 10/2024
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Last Updated: 12/18/2025