Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access
A Rural-Urban Comparison of Children's Health in the United States, 2018-2023
Examines rural-urban differences in children's health insurance, neighborhood safety, household poverty, food insecurity, household conditions, physical activity, preventive care, dental and vision care, past-year emergency room visits, and mortality among children ages 0-17. Includes county-level maps showing Health Professional Shortage Areas as of 2026, with shadings showing levels of rurality.
Author(s): Emma Boswell, Taryn Farrell, Nicholas Yell, Peiyin Hung, Elizabeth Crouch
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
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Examines rural-urban differences in children's health insurance, neighborhood safety, household poverty, food insecurity, household conditions, physical activity, preventive care, dental and vision care, past-year emergency room visits, and mortality among children ages 0-17. Includes county-level maps showing Health Professional Shortage Areas as of 2026, with shadings showing levels of rurality.
Author(s): Emma Boswell, Taryn Farrell, Nicholas Yell, Peiyin Hung, Elizabeth Crouch
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
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What Rural Families Need to Know About Stroke Risks
A podcast episode highlighting the increased risks of strokes in rural communities and challenges with accessing timely stroke care. Discusses how rural hospitals can use collaboration and knowledge sharing to be prepared to handle stroke care.
Author(s): Shelley Huguley, Raney Rapp
Date: 11/2026
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A podcast episode highlighting the increased risks of strokes in rural communities and challenges with accessing timely stroke care. Discusses how rural hospitals can use collaboration and knowledge sharing to be prepared to handle stroke care.
Author(s): Shelley Huguley, Raney Rapp
Date: 11/2026
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Keeping Care Close to Home: Rural Maternal Health Case Study - Caring for Families Across the Arctic
Profiles the Maniilaq Health Center, a Critical Access Hospital that serves rural and tribal communities in Northwest Alaska. Discusses building the maternal health workforce, care coordination, referral processes, sustainability, and more.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Profiles the Maniilaq Health Center, a Critical Access Hospital that serves rural and tribal communities in Northwest Alaska. Discusses building the maternal health workforce, care coordination, referral processes, sustainability, and more.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Use of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Medications and Modified Medication Use Among Adults — United States, 2025
Reports on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) use among adults, including use of compounded versions for chronic weight management. Also covers modified use due to cost- and access-related challenges. Includes data on GLP-1 use by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan location.
Author(s): Samantha L. Pierce, Lilanthi Balasuriya, Lyudmyla Kompaniyets, Alyson B. Goodman
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 75(44), 645-651
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Reports on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) use among adults, including use of compounded versions for chronic weight management. Also covers modified use due to cost- and access-related challenges. Includes data on GLP-1 use by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan location.
Author(s): Samantha L. Pierce, Lilanthi Balasuriya, Lyudmyla Kompaniyets, Alyson B. Goodman
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 75(44), 645-651
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Keeping Care Close to Home: Rural Maternal Health Case Study - A Comprehensive System of Maternal Care in Mississippi
Profiles the Delta Health System in the rural Mississippi Delta and its role in providing healthcare access. Discusses maternal healthcare workforce challenges and strategies to improve the workforce through collaboration and doula care.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Profiles the Delta Health System in the rural Mississippi Delta and its role in providing healthcare access. Discusses maternal healthcare workforce challenges and strategies to improve the workforce through collaboration and doula care.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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The State of Mental Health in America 2026
Report presents data on mental health and substance use for youth and adults across all 50 states. Highlights barriers to mental health wellness, such as lack of mental healthcare coverage, mental health workforce shortages, and cost of treatment, among other factors. Discusses some challenges specific to rural communities.
Author(s): Maddy Reinert
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Mental Health America
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Report presents data on mental health and substance use for youth and adults across all 50 states. Highlights barriers to mental health wellness, such as lack of mental healthcare coverage, mental health workforce shortages, and cost of treatment, among other factors. Discusses some challenges specific to rural communities.
Author(s): Maddy Reinert
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Mental Health America
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November 2026 MedPAC Meeting Transcript
Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) November 2026 meeting. Covers changes to the Medicare physician fee schedule that affect primary care, charge-based coinsurance at Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), an analysis of aberrant patterns of care among hospice and home health providers, findings from MedPAC focus groups, and Medicare eligibility notification and the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) operations and funding.
Additional links: Charge-based Coinsurance at Rural Health Clinics, Findings from MedPAC's Focus Groups with Medicare Beneficiaries and Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, and Pharmacists
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) November 2026 meeting. Covers changes to the Medicare physician fee schedule that affect primary care, charge-based coinsurance at Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), an analysis of aberrant patterns of care among hospice and home health providers, findings from MedPAC focus groups, and Medicare eligibility notification and the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) operations and funding.
Additional links: Charge-based Coinsurance at Rural Health Clinics, Findings from MedPAC's Focus Groups with Medicare Beneficiaries and Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, and Pharmacists
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Rural Health Transformation Program State Programmatic Snapshots: 2026 Release - Year 2 Funding
Provides an overview of each state's Rural Health Transformation Program initiatives and focus areas. Describes policy action commitments outlined in states' project narratives and the funding states received related to these commitments for budget period 2. Includes overall funding amounts received by states for budget periods 1 and 2.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Provides an overview of each state's Rural Health Transformation Program initiatives and focus areas. Describes policy action commitments outlined in states' project narratives and the funding states received related to these commitments for budget period 2. Includes overall funding amounts received by states for budget periods 1 and 2.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Breast Cancer Screening in Rural West Texas: Access Barriers, Follow-Up Fragmentation, and AI-Enabled Oncology Care Delivery
A narrative review of literature that examines breast cancer screenings, timely diagnostic resolution, and treatment access in rural West Texas. Provides information on barriers to oncology care delivery, screening and treatment financial expenditures, county-level mammography utilization, female breast cancer burden, AI-enabled screening and diagnostic prioritization, and regional screening-to-treatment pathways.
Author(s): Alexander Philipovskiy, Sharda Singh, Austin Castillo, Karla Daniele
Citation: Cancer Control, 33
Date: 11/2026
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A narrative review of literature that examines breast cancer screenings, timely diagnostic resolution, and treatment access in rural West Texas. Provides information on barriers to oncology care delivery, screening and treatment financial expenditures, county-level mammography utilization, female breast cancer burden, AI-enabled screening and diagnostic prioritization, and regional screening-to-treatment pathways.
Author(s): Alexander Philipovskiy, Sharda Singh, Austin Castillo, Karla Daniele
Citation: Cancer Control, 33
Date: 11/2026
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Molecular Testing Among Patients With Advanced Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer in the Rural US
Explores factors associated with molecular testing among older adults with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), such as age, dual Medicaid and Medicare enrollment, Part D coverage, and visits with specialists. Analyzes data from a cohort of 8,259 NSCLC patients in rural areas between 2014-2019.
Author(s): Dena P. Rhinehart, Evelien van Gelderen, Josephine Feliciano, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(11), e2642270
Date: 11/2026
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Explores factors associated with molecular testing among older adults with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), such as age, dual Medicaid and Medicare enrollment, Part D coverage, and visits with specialists. Analyzes data from a cohort of 8,259 NSCLC patients in rural areas between 2014-2019.
Author(s): Dena P. Rhinehart, Evelien van Gelderen, Josephine Feliciano, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(11), e2642270
Date: 11/2026
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