Conducting Rural Health Research, Needs Assessments, and Program Evaluations – Resources

35 Years of Partnership to Advance Cardiovascular Health and Well-Being in American Indian Communities: The Strong Heart Study and Strong Heart Family Study
Discusses the impact of the Strong Heart Study (SHS) and Strong Heart Family Study (SHFS) to provide population health and cardiovascular health outcomes information on rural tribal communities. Focuses on the importance of longitudinal studies, rigorous data collection, knowledge sharing, and partnerships.
Author(s): Amanda M. Fretts, Jessica A. Reese, Ying Zhang
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 07/2025
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Using Implementation Strategies to Promote the Maintenance Of Kids SIPsmartER In Rural Appalachian Middle Schools: A Process Evaluation
Examines implementation data from the Kids SIPsmartER nutrition behavioral intervention, which was implemented in 12 rural Appalachian middle schools. Utilizes data from 24 teachers and 11 principals to examine intervention fidelity, delivery, perceptions, and student impact. Discusses the importance of implementation evaluation and the scalability of evidence-based behavioral interventions (EBBIs) in schools.
Author(s): Kathleen J. Porter, Annie L. Reid, Theresa Markwalter, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 25, 2324
Date: 07/2025
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Wireless Substitution: Early Release of Estimates from the National Health Interview Survey, July-December 2024
Provides data on households that rely on wireless telephones rather than landlines. Includes data on the percent of adults who live in wireless-only households and have their own wireless telephone, as well as data on phoneless adults. Provides data for nonmetropolitan compared to metropolitan areas. Discusses the need for surveys to include adequate representation of wireless-only households and households with landlines.
Author(s): Stephen J. Blumberg, Julian V. Luke
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Rural Dissemination: Bridging Research and Practice for Aging and Disability Services
A recorded webcast that discusses strategies to ensure aging and disability research reaches hard-to-reach and rural areas. Provides examples of rural research, dissemination methods, and collaborative efforts.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript, Webcast
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: Center on Knowledge Translation for Disability and Rehabilitation Research
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Developing an Implementation Fidelity Measure for a Family Healthy Weight Program
Examines strategies to conduct a direct observation method to measure implementation fidelity in a micropolitan/rural community-based family healthy weight program (FHWP). Discusses the process of hiring and training community members as direct observers, utility and quality of this methodology, and potential usefulness of developing an implementation fidelity measure for assessing future programs in rural or geographically dispersed areas.
Author(s): Caitlin A. Golden, Paul A. Estabrooks, Kate A. Heelan, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 22, 53
Date: 05/2025
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Initiating Research in Indian Country: Lessons From the Strong Heart Study
Discusses the process of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) initiating studies to examine cardiovascular disease in rural and remote areas, isolated populations, and sovereign nations. Discusses the steps in conducting research with a focus on building trust, transparent implementation, and mutual feedback and results sharing.
Author(s): Barbara V. Howard, Elisa T. Lee, Thomas K. Welty, Richard R. Fabsitz
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 04/2025
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Enhancing Access to Nephrology Care: Telenephrology Dashboard Optimization via Human-Centered Design
Examines how the development of the Telenephrology Dashboard for veterans served by the Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System (ICVAHCS) provides improved access to nephrology care and kidney specialists. Describes the methodology used to create and evaluate the dashboard as well as how telehealth tools can serve veterans in predominately rural areas.
Author(s): Melissa Swee, Bharat Kumar, M. Lee Sanders, et al.
Citation: BMC Nephrology, 26, 164
Date: 03/2025
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Planning the Path Forward: An Actionable Guide to Tribal Community Health Improvement Planning
Toolkit providing guidance on creating Tribal community health improvement plans (CHIPs) by identifying health priorities and planning and implementing effective and culturally relevant solutions. Provides tools, templates, and other resources for each step of the CHIP process. Includes a case study focused on COVID-19 vaccine uptake.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organizations: Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc., Tribal Epidemiology Centers
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An Updated Model of Rural Hospital Financial Distress
Discusses a potential model to predict financial distress in rural hospitals, including negative cash flow margin, negative equity, or closure of facility. Tests 2,311 rural hospitals from 2013 to 2019 with the model and discusses its potential to predict financial distress and create accurate assessments.
Author(s): Tyler L. Malone, George H. Pink, George M. Holmes
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 2025
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Braiding Research Approaches to Understand Home Visiting in Indigenous Communities
Provides a scoping review, research questions, and feedback from practitioners regarding Indigenous home visiting programs and Indigenous methodologies in home visiting research. Includes suggestions for research methodologies that incorporate cultural awareness and relationships in Indigenous communities.
Author(s): Natalie Moyer, Chelsea Wesner, Michelle Sarche, et al.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Administration for Children and Families, The Center for Indigenous Research Collaboration and Learning for Home Visiting
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