Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access
WIC Participant and Local Agency Staff Perspectives on Increased Cash-Value Benefits for Fruits and Vegetables Within an American Indian Tribal Organization
Explores the perceived impacts of increased cash-value benefits for fruits and vegetables through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program of Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in tribal communities associated with the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona. Bases findings on a survey of participants and staff on their perceptions about the increase and its effect on their ability to access a more nutritious diet.
Author(s): Emily M Melnick, Francesco Acciai, Nicole Vaudrin O'Reilly, et al.
Citation: Maternal & Child Nutrition, 22(1), e70148
Date: 03/2026
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Explores the perceived impacts of increased cash-value benefits for fruits and vegetables through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program of Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in tribal communities associated with the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona. Bases findings on a survey of participants and staff on their perceptions about the increase and its effect on their ability to access a more nutritious diet.
Author(s): Emily M Melnick, Francesco Acciai, Nicole Vaudrin O'Reilly, et al.
Citation: Maternal & Child Nutrition, 22(1), e70148
Date: 03/2026
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Stroke Technology Diffusion in Rural Settings: Differential Exposure to Certification Levels by Community Income Levels
Analyzes how access to certified stroke center services has varied over time among rural communities by median family income level, using 2009-2019 Medicare Provider and Analysis Review (MedPAR) data. Compares access to Acute Stroke Ready Hospitals, Primary Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Centers, or Comprehensive Stroke Centers among low, medium, and high-income communities.
Author(s): Yu-Chu Shen, Maya Spencer, Renee Y. Hsia
Citation: Neurology, 106(4), e214644
Date: 01/2026
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Analyzes how access to certified stroke center services has varied over time among rural communities by median family income level, using 2009-2019 Medicare Provider and Analysis Review (MedPAR) data. Compares access to Acute Stroke Ready Hospitals, Primary Stroke Centers, Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Centers, or Comprehensive Stroke Centers among low, medium, and high-income communities.
Author(s): Yu-Chu Shen, Maya Spencer, Renee Y. Hsia
Citation: Neurology, 106(4), e214644
Date: 01/2026
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Ensuring a Strong Future for America's Cancer Workforce: A Report from the President's Cancer Panel to the President of the United States
Identifies priorities and provides recommendations to support the cancer workforce, improve access to clinical trials, and promote high-quality research in the United States. Discusses the rural cancer care workforce and other factors influencing rural access to care throughout.
Author(s): Mitchel S. Berger, Carol L. Brown
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: President's Cancer Panel
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Identifies priorities and provides recommendations to support the cancer workforce, improve access to clinical trials, and promote high-quality research in the United States. Discusses the rural cancer care workforce and other factors influencing rural access to care throughout.
Author(s): Mitchel S. Berger, Carol L. Brown
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: President's Cancer Panel
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Mobile Telemedicine for Treating Chronic Hepatitis C among Rural People Who Inject Drugs: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Explores the efficacy of a mobile telemedicine-based intervention for hepatitis C (HCV) infections among rural people who inject drugs. Highlights the outcomes of the intervention in terms of treatment initiation, viral clearance, and reduced equipment sharing. Breaks down data by demographic characteristics, outcomes, and risks and probabilities, among other measures.
Author(s): Peter D. Friedmann, Donna Wilson, David de Gijsel, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(1), e2555125
Date: 01/2026
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Explores the efficacy of a mobile telemedicine-based intervention for hepatitis C (HCV) infections among rural people who inject drugs. Highlights the outcomes of the intervention in terms of treatment initiation, viral clearance, and reduced equipment sharing. Breaks down data by demographic characteristics, outcomes, and risks and probabilities, among other measures.
Author(s): Peter D. Friedmann, Donna Wilson, David de Gijsel, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(1), e2555125
Date: 01/2026
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Strategies for Effective Alternate Care Sites in Rural Iowa
Discusses alternate care sites for rural Iowa during times of disaster impacting healthcare access. Uses a literature review and survey of 27 Iowa healthcare and county emergency managers to highlight areas of readiness and opportunity in rural disaster preparedness. Offers 3 recommendations based on study findings related to regional collaboration, proactively addressing staffing and resource constraints, and cross-sector partnerships.
Author(s): Lynn J. Royer
Citation: Pracademic Affairs, 6
Date: 01/2026
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Discusses alternate care sites for rural Iowa during times of disaster impacting healthcare access. Uses a literature review and survey of 27 Iowa healthcare and county emergency managers to highlight areas of readiness and opportunity in rural disaster preparedness. Offers 3 recommendations based on study findings related to regional collaboration, proactively addressing staffing and resource constraints, and cross-sector partnerships.
Author(s): Lynn J. Royer
Citation: Pracademic Affairs, 6
Date: 01/2026
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Update: The Expanding Maternity Care Desert in Pennsylvania
Provides an overview of labor and delivery services in rural Pennsylvania and implications of limited access to maternity care. Features county-level maps showing locations of Pennsylvania hospitals with labor and delivery units and areas that are a 20-minute drive from a labor and delivery unit, as of 2026.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Provides an overview of labor and delivery services in rural Pennsylvania and implications of limited access to maternity care. Features county-level maps showing locations of Pennsylvania hospitals with labor and delivery units and areas that are a 20-minute drive from a labor and delivery unit, as of 2026.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Doula Services for Medicaid Beneficiaries in Virginia: Access, Utilization, and Policy Lessons
Discusses barriers and facilitators of access to doula care for Medicaid beneficiaries in Virginia after evaluation of a collection of both qualitative and quantitative data gathered between January 2022 and January 2025. Discusses geographic disparities including concerns for access in rural areas and policies to address access.
Author(s): Desirae Leaphart Mensah, Alison E. Cuellar
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(1)
Date: 01/2026
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Discusses barriers and facilitators of access to doula care for Medicaid beneficiaries in Virginia after evaluation of a collection of both qualitative and quantitative data gathered between January 2022 and January 2025. Discusses geographic disparities including concerns for access in rural areas and policies to address access.
Author(s): Desirae Leaphart Mensah, Alison E. Cuellar
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(1)
Date: 01/2026
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Examining Rural Community Pharmacists' Knowledge and Practices in Opioid Overdose Prevention and Treatment Services in the Southeastern United States
Highlights a study on the knowledge and practices of rural pharmacists around opioid use disorder-related education and counseling in the Southeastern U.S. Presents data by pharmacist demographic characteristics, knowledge, and experience with medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD).
Author(s): Stefanie P. Ferreri, Paige Q. Ngo, Kaileigh D. Yen, Kevin Wang, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 23(11)
Date: 01/2026
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Highlights a study on the knowledge and practices of rural pharmacists around opioid use disorder-related education and counseling in the Southeastern U.S. Presents data by pharmacist demographic characteristics, knowledge, and experience with medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD).
Author(s): Stefanie P. Ferreri, Paige Q. Ngo, Kaileigh D. Yen, Kevin Wang, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 23(11)
Date: 01/2026
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"The Crux of the Community": A Qualitative Focus Group Study of the Impact of Community Pharmacy Closures in Colorado and Utah
Discusses themes identified in focus groups of pharmacy workforce that had experienced a community pharmacy closure in Colorado or Utah. Themes discussed include community impacts, pharmacy operations, job experience, and patient impact. Highlights rural considerations throughout.
Author(s): Michael J. DiStefano, Nai-Chia Chen, Carl V. Asche, Kelly E. Anderson, T. Joseph Mattingly, II
Citation: Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, 66(1)
Date: 01/2026
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Discusses themes identified in focus groups of pharmacy workforce that had experienced a community pharmacy closure in Colorado or Utah. Themes discussed include community impacts, pharmacy operations, job experience, and patient impact. Highlights rural considerations throughout.
Author(s): Michael J. DiStefano, Nai-Chia Chen, Carl V. Asche, Kelly E. Anderson, T. Joseph Mattingly, II
Citation: Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, 66(1)
Date: 01/2026
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Use of Preventive Services by Rurality, Disability Status, and Health Insurance
Examines rates of use of routine physicals and flu vaccination by rural or urban location, disability status, and health insurance type. Uses data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey.
Author(s): Alexis Swendener, Katie Rydberg, Lisa I. Iezzoni, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Examines rates of use of routine physicals and flu vaccination by rural or urban location, disability status, and health insurance type. Uses data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey.
Author(s): Alexis Swendener, Katie Rydberg, Lisa I. Iezzoni, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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