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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

Medical Debt and Its Impact on Rural Patients and Providers, with Carrie Henning-Smith
An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring Carrie Henning-Smith, Co-Director of the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center. Focuses on the prevalence of and difficulties caused by medical debt for both rural patients and providers.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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A Comparison of Rural and Urban Differences in Geographic Proximity to Outpatient Stroke Rehabilitation Services in Tennessee
Examines distance and travel time disparities for outpatient stroke rehabilitation (OSR) services in rural and urban areas of Tennessee. Analyzes 185 facilities for OSR and provides rural versus urban median travel distance and time according to OSR service type. Includes county-level maps showing mean travel distance by kilometers.
Author(s): Phoebe M. Tran, Benjamin Fogelson, Robert E. Heidel, Raj Baljepally
Citation: Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention 45(1), 65-71
Date: 01/2025
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Variables Influencing Telemedicine Utilization via Telephone Appointments among Rural Patients
Examines patient telemedicine preferences at a rural outpatient clinic in California. Examines 2021 survey feedback from 153 patients related to themes such as patient-physician rapport, quality, accessibility, availability, cost, and more.
Author(s): Eliseo GarcĂ­a, Benjamin C. Vincent, Shivani Thakur, et al.
Citation: BMC Health Services Research, 25, 1
Date: 01/2025
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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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Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies (Rural MOMS) Program: 2019 Cohort Final Report
Highlights the work of the first cohort of Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies (Rural MOMS) networks, funded to address rural maternal health challenges and improve access to maternal healthcare. Provides an overview of the work of the awardees: the Bootheel Perinatal Network in Missouri, Texas-RMOMS Comprehensive Maternal Care Network (TX-RMOMS), and Rural OB Access & Maternal Services (ROAMS) in New Mexico. Shares key accomplishments of the awardees, as well as information about the populations served.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Rural Maternal Health Data Support and Analysis Program
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Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce Loan Repayment & Scholarship Awards Report: Fiscal Year 2025
Features sections on the Physicians for Rural Areas Assistance Program (PRAAP) and the Dentists for Rural Areas Assistance Program (DRAAP). Features county-level maps showing areas with improved access to care due to PRAAP and DRAAP.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce
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The Rural Healthcare Landscape Survey: A Behavioral Health Needs Assessment
Analyzes survey data from 437 behavioral health professionals to identify areas of opportunity for support and increasing access to behavioral healthcare providers and patients in rural areas. Data analyzed include survey participant demographics, rurality of clients and providers, amount of provider consultations, and professional well-being. Discusses areas of future research related to provider training, distribution of providers, burnout, and provider demographics.
Author(s): Douglas Knutson, Mary Louise Cashel, Cindy Juntunen, et al.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Health, Education, and Rural Empowerment Lab at Oklahoma State University
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Indian Health Service 2025 Accomplishments Report: Year in Review
Provides an overview of the Indian Health Service's initiatives and accomplishments during fiscal year 2025. Discusses IHS investments, access to culturally responsive care, nutrition and chronic disease programs, tribal self-determination, workforce development, and more.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Indian Health Service
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Nevada Rural Children's Mental Health Consortium Annual Report, 2025
Reports on children's mental health and access to care in rural Nevada. Includes a progress report on the Rural Children's Mental Health Consortium strategic plan and activities.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Nevada Rural Children's Mental Health Consortium
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New Mexico Health Care Authority Data Book 2025
2025 data book providing dashboards on food security, health and wellness, housing, healthcare access and affordability, health insurance coverage, Medicaid eligibility, and more for the state of New Mexico. Includes county-level data on a variety of demographic, economic, and health topics.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: New Mexico Health Care Authority
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