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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Diabetes

Rural-Urban Trends in the Burden of Diabetes Among U.S. Adults
Describes the national incidence and prevalence of diabetes between 2021-2023 using data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Presents data on diabetes-related mortality between 2018-2023 from the CDC WONDER platform. Compares the incidence, prevalence, and mortality data across large metro, small metro, and non-metro counties. Highlights areas of the country with significantly higher and lower diabetes-related mortality rates.
Author(s): Gabriel A. Benavidez, Michelle Asiedu-Danso, Cassie Odahowski, Peiyin Hung, Elizabeth Crouch
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
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Increasing Uptake of Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) in Rural Kentucky Primary Care Clinics: Findings From a Pilot Pragmatic Cluster-Randomized Trial
Provides findings from a quality improvement pilot study focused on increasing diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) uptake via coaching and technical assistance in rural Kentucky primary care clinics.
Author(s): Mary E. Lacy, Jessica Elliott, Vance Drakeford, et al.
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 17
Date: 03/2026
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Long-Term Mortality Trends in Patients with Concurrent Hernia and Diabetes in the United States
Analyzes demographic variations in long-term mortality trends among patients with both hernia and diabetes mellitus as contributing causes of death, using 1999-2023 CDC WONDER data. Includes data comparisons by metropolitan or nonmetropolitan area, among other factors.
Author(s): Xiaoyang Shi, Xiao Yu, Yu-Jun Xiong, Tian Lv, Xiaoyong Si
Citation: Frontiers in Endocrinology, 17, 1723074
Date: 02/2026
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Rural–Urban Disparities in Diabetes Quality of Care with Accountable Care Organization Participation
Examines the relationship among diabetes quality of care, accountable care organization (ACO) participation, and rural versus urban health disparities. Utilizes 2011-2018 Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality all-patient all-payer data to analyze diabetes care management across ACO versus non-ACO participation and rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Mariétou H. Ouayogodé, Xiyuan Hu
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(1), e70121
Date: 02/2026
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Relationships Between Diabetes, Vitamin D Status, Depression, and Hispanic Ethnicity: A Project FRONTIER Study
Examines associations between vitamin D status, diabetes, depression, and Hispanic ethnicity within a population of 299 adults in rural West Texas. Discusses how factors including nutrition and ethnicity influence chronic disease outcomes and healthcare delivery in aging rural populations.
Author(s): Riley McCready, Claudia Morris, Philip Antwi-Adjei, et al.
Citation: Nutrition & Diabetes, 16, 1
Date: 01/2026
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How USPS Network Changes Threaten Prescription Drug Access for Vulnerable Populations
Discusses the impact of mail processing changes on mail-order medication and asthma and diabetes management for rural communities. Highlights the "triple burden" of limited pharmacy access, high use of mail-order prescriptions, and proximity to postal service restructuring. Includes rural and urban comparisons, Medicare data, and county-level analysis.
Author(s): Elena Patel, Joshua Feng, Matthew Higgins
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: The Brookings Institution
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Building a Healthier Texas: Innovations in Diabetes Prevention Across Texas
Webinar discussing how access to healthy food and nutrition education support diabetes prevention in Texas, featuring perspectives and program examples presented by members of Texas healthcare and food access organizations. Includes discussion of food access in rural and border communities and nutrition support and education opportunities related to the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). See video description for transcript.
Author(s): Ankit Sanghavi, Janet Walker, Rachel Koay, Jasmynn Lahner, Karl Serrao
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Feeding Texas, Texas Association of Community Health Plans (TACHP), Texas Health Institute
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Differences in GLP-1 RA Medication Adherence Across Place-Based Variables in Patients with Diabetes Living in Wisconsin
Analyzes adherence to GLP-1 RA medications for diabetes treatment among Wisconsin adults by geographic and demographic group, utilizing 2020-2022 Wisconsin Health Information Organization data. Compares adherence by rural or urban status, among other factors.
Author(s): Kara L. Gavin, Rabia Amjad, Vaia Makris, Joan M. Neuner
Citation: Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy, 31(12), 1311-1319
Date: 11/2025
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Chronic Health Conditions and Health Care Affordability Issues among U.S. Rural and Urban Adults
Analyzes associations between chronic health conditions and likelihood of experiencing healthcare affordability issues among rural and urban populations, utilizing 2022 National Health Interview Survey data. Examines rural and urban prevalence of individual chronic conditions, chronic condition multimorbidity, problems paying medical bills, and inability to pay medical bills.
Author(s): Ingrid Jacobson, Alexis Swendener, Hannah MacDougall, Carrie Henning-Smith
Citation: Journal of Multimorbidity and Comorbidity, 15
Date: 11/2025
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Referrals and Utilization of Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) among Patients with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes at a Regional Medical Center in Kentucky
Analyzes demographic and clinical factors associated with diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) among patients. Utilizes electronic health records of 10,587 diabetes patients receiving care at a regional medical center in Kentucky to examine DSMES attendance and referrals according to patient demographics, insurance type, clinical variables, and rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Omer Atac, George C. Bryant, William B. Burrows, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 25, 3880
Date: 11/2025
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