Rural Schools and Health – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Schools and Health.
Understanding Rural Schools' Capacity to Learn About Evidence-Based Practices That Promote Youth Mental Health: A Comparative Case Study
Examines the capacity of rural middle schools to learn about mental health evidence-based practices (EBPs). Utilizes survey and interview data from 11 middle school staff to discuss barriers and facilitators related to school implementation of mental health EBPs as well as the role of intermediary support and expert collaboration.
Author(s): Savannah Hobbs, Elaine S. Belansky, Nick Cutforth, Cynthia Hazel
Citation: The Rural Educator, 46(3), 6-23
Date: 07/2025
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Examines the capacity of rural middle schools to learn about mental health evidence-based practices (EBPs). Utilizes survey and interview data from 11 middle school staff to discuss barriers and facilitators related to school implementation of mental health EBPs as well as the role of intermediary support and expert collaboration.
Author(s): Savannah Hobbs, Elaine S. Belansky, Nick Cutforth, Cynthia Hazel
Citation: The Rural Educator, 46(3), 6-23
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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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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School Meals and Other Child Nutrition Programs: Background and Funding
Provides an overview of federal child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), among others. Includes information on reimbursement rates for rural SFSP meal sites, as well as brief mentions of rural and tribal demonstration programs.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Provides an overview of federal child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), among others. Includes information on reimbursement rates for rural SFSP meal sites, as well as brief mentions of rural and tribal demonstration programs.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Transforming School-Based Telehealth through Rural Partnerships
Webinar recording discusses how Eastern Oklahoma Medical Center implemented a school-based telemedicine program to improve access to care in rural and low-income Oklahoma communities. Details challenges and lessons learned related to billing and policy development, communication with parents, and partnerships with rural school nurses and administrators. Transcript available below the video description.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Author(s): Tiffany Griffis
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: Heartland Telehealth Resource Center
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Webinar recording discusses how Eastern Oklahoma Medical Center implemented a school-based telemedicine program to improve access to care in rural and low-income Oklahoma communities. Details challenges and lessons learned related to billing and policy development, communication with parents, and partnerships with rural school nurses and administrators. Transcript available below the video description.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Author(s): Tiffany Griffis
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: Heartland Telehealth Resource Center
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School-Based Health Centers and the Utilization of Primary Care in Rural Communities
Examines utilization patterns of school-based health centers (SBHCs) in 4 rural New York counties. Utilizes 2011–2017 electronic health record data to analyze students with or without access to SBHCs, utilization of SBHCs, and SBHC services used, such as primary care, immunizations, and chronic disease management.
Author(s): Xue Zhang, Sharon Tennyson, Chris L Kjolhede, Wendy M Brunner
Citation: American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 69(4), 107962
Date: 06/2025
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Examines utilization patterns of school-based health centers (SBHCs) in 4 rural New York counties. Utilizes 2011–2017 electronic health record data to analyze students with or without access to SBHCs, utilization of SBHCs, and SBHC services used, such as primary care, immunizations, and chronic disease management.
Author(s): Xue Zhang, Sharon Tennyson, Chris L Kjolhede, Wendy M Brunner
Citation: American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 69(4), 107962
Date: 06/2025
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School-Based Health Centers and School Attendance in Rural Areas
Examines the relationship between the availability of School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) and student absenteeism in rural areas. Analyzes 66,303 students from kindergarten to 12th grade for absenteeism in districts with a SBHC and those without a SBHC.
Author(s): Chris Kjolhede, Wendy M. Brunner, John W. Sipple
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(5), e2510083
Date: 05/2025
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Examines the relationship between the availability of School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) and student absenteeism in rural areas. Analyzes 66,303 students from kindergarten to 12th grade for absenteeism in districts with a SBHC and those without a SBHC.
Author(s): Chris Kjolhede, Wendy M. Brunner, John W. Sipple
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(5), e2510083
Date: 05/2025
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Serving Beyond Summer School: Reaching More Kids with Rural Summer Meals
A recorded webinar that provides 3 program examples of non-congregate summer meal service in rural areas. Discusses program details such as operations, distribution, scheduling, menu, marketing, and overcoming challenges. Transcript available below description.
Additional links: Slide Deck
Author(s): Lucretia Hertzock, Heidi Ottaway, Megan Adams
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: No Kid Hungry
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A recorded webinar that provides 3 program examples of non-congregate summer meal service in rural areas. Discusses program details such as operations, distribution, scheduling, menu, marketing, and overcoming challenges. Transcript available below description.
Additional links: Slide Deck
Author(s): Lucretia Hertzock, Heidi Ottaway, Megan Adams
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: No Kid Hungry
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School-Based Enhanced Hearing Screening and Specialty Telehealth Follow-Up for Hearing Loss among Children in Rural Alaska: Study Protocol for a Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Stepped Wedge, Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial (North STAR Trial)
Describes a study protocol that examines the impact of providing specialty hearing care for students in rural Alaska following standard school hearing screenings. Focuses on trial objectives, design, setting, participants, recruitment, data collection, and planned statistical analyses.
Author(s): Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Janet Prvu Bettger, Elizabeth Turner, et al.
Citation: Trials, 26, 175
Date: 05/2025
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Describes a study protocol that examines the impact of providing specialty hearing care for students in rural Alaska following standard school hearing screenings. Focuses on trial objectives, design, setting, participants, recruitment, data collection, and planned statistical analyses.
Author(s): Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Janet Prvu Bettger, Elizabeth Turner, et al.
Citation: Trials, 26, 175
Date: 05/2025
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Spotlighting Programs: A Panel Discussion on Exceptional Nutrition Service Delivery
A recorded webinar that focuses on successful nutrition service delivery in Head Start programs across the United States. Highlights actionable strategies from the various food delivery services, including programming specific to rural, remote, and geographically dispersed areas.
Additional links: Webinar Slides
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Children and Families
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A recorded webinar that focuses on successful nutrition service delivery in Head Start programs across the United States. Highlights actionable strategies from the various food delivery services, including programming specific to rural, remote, and geographically dispersed areas.
Additional links: Webinar Slides
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Children and Families
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O the Places Rural Children Will Go…to Get Physical Activity: A Cross Sectional Analysis
Examines locations in which children engage in either moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) or sedentary time in the rural Midwest. Utilizes data from 44 participants who wore an activity tracker over a 7-day period and discusses activity in locations labeled as home, home neighborhood, school, school neighborhood, or 'other'. Discusses health issues and access barriers for rural children related to overweight/obesity.
Author(s): Bethany Forseth, Jordan A. Carlson, Adrian Ortega, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 25, 1188
Date: 03/2025
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Examines locations in which children engage in either moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) or sedentary time in the rural Midwest. Utilizes data from 44 participants who wore an activity tracker over a 7-day period and discusses activity in locations labeled as home, home neighborhood, school, school neighborhood, or 'other'. Discusses health issues and access barriers for rural children related to overweight/obesity.
Author(s): Bethany Forseth, Jordan A. Carlson, Adrian Ortega, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 25, 1188
Date: 03/2025
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