Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health conditions
Disparities in Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Rural Versus Urban Michigan
Compares rural and urban cancer incidence and cancer-specific mortality in Michigan, using 2017-2021 data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Includes breakdowns by cancer type for 10 leading cancers, as well as incidence by Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) stage for colorectal, female breast, lung and bronchus, and prostate cancer.
Author(s): Reba Dhillon, Stephanie Mackenzie, Austin H. Qasawa, et al.
Citation: Cancer Medicine, 15(11), e72396
Date: 10/2026
view details
Compares rural and urban cancer incidence and cancer-specific mortality in Michigan, using 2017-2021 data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Includes breakdowns by cancer type for 10 leading cancers, as well as incidence by Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) stage for colorectal, female breast, lung and bronchus, and prostate cancer.
Author(s): Reba Dhillon, Stephanie Mackenzie, Austin H. Qasawa, et al.
Citation: Cancer Medicine, 15(11), e72396
Date: 10/2026
view details
Rural Skin Cancer Patients Tend to 'Slip Through the Cracks.' These Programs Are Trying to Change That
Provides a brief overview of barriers to accessing dermatology healthcare services and highlights programs to improve dermatology care in rural areas. Features a mobile unit offering skin cancer screenings and other dermatology services in rural areas of California, Idaho, Illinois, Oregon, and Utah; a rural dermatology residency training track in Mississippi; and a Wisconsin program that provides dermatology training for rural primary care providers, equipping them with the hands-on skills to provide basic care when access to a specialist is limited.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
view details
Provides a brief overview of barriers to accessing dermatology healthcare services and highlights programs to improve dermatology care in rural areas. Features a mobile unit offering skin cancer screenings and other dermatology services in rural areas of California, Idaho, Illinois, Oregon, and Utah; a rural dermatology residency training track in Mississippi; and a Wisconsin program that provides dermatology training for rural primary care providers, equipping them with the hands-on skills to provide basic care when access to a specialist is limited.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
view details
Patient-Provider Distance in Medicare Outpatient Oncology Telehealth Versus Office Visits, 2021‐2023: Cross-Sectional Claims Analysis
Presents a study exploring the use of telehealth to extend the patient-provider geographic reach for outpatient oncology-related visits in patients aged 66 or older. Draws data from Medicare Fee-For-Service claims to compare patient-provider distance for in-office and telehealth oncology visits, by rurality and U.S. Census region.
Author(s): Lingbo Liu, Tracy Onega, Erika L. Moen, et al.
Citation: JMIR Medical Informatics, 14, e95370
Date: 10/2026
view details
Presents a study exploring the use of telehealth to extend the patient-provider geographic reach for outpatient oncology-related visits in patients aged 66 or older. Draws data from Medicare Fee-For-Service claims to compare patient-provider distance for in-office and telehealth oncology visits, by rurality and U.S. Census region.
Author(s): Lingbo Liu, Tracy Onega, Erika L. Moen, et al.
Citation: JMIR Medical Informatics, 14, e95370
Date: 10/2026
view details
Rural America Grew During the Pandemic Era Because of Migration Gains
An issue brief that examines migration patterns from 2010 to 2025 across the rural continuum and county types. Discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality and population growth.
Author(s): Kenneth Johnson
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Carsey School of Public Policy
view details
An issue brief that examines migration patterns from 2010 to 2025 across the rural continuum and county types. Discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality and population growth.
Author(s): Kenneth Johnson
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Carsey School of Public Policy
view details
Physical Activity and Perceptions of the Community Walking Environment Among Cancer Survivors, National Health Interview Survey, 2024
Examines how physical activity among cancer survivors differs by clinical and demographic characteristics and by perceptions of the local walking environment, using 2024 National Health Interview Survey data. See Table 2 for data on leisure-time physical activity among cancer survivors by rurality, among other factors.
Author(s): Jonathan Bryant-Genevier, Michael Boring, Elizabeth A. Rohan, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23, 260220
Date: 10/2026
view details
Examines how physical activity among cancer survivors differs by clinical and demographic characteristics and by perceptions of the local walking environment, using 2024 National Health Interview Survey data. See Table 2 for data on leisure-time physical activity among cancer survivors by rurality, among other factors.
Author(s): Jonathan Bryant-Genevier, Michael Boring, Elizabeth A. Rohan, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23, 260220
Date: 10/2026
view details
People Living with Dementia in Rural Areas Are Most Likely to Report Unmet Service Needs in Home- and Community-based Services in the United States
Examines the relationship among home and community-based services (HCBS), dementia status, and rural versus urban location. Utilizes 2016-2019 National Core Indicators-Aging and Disability survey data to analyze 14,645 residents according to dementia status, sociodemographics, residential status and assistive care needs, and metropolitan, micropolitan, small town, or rural location. Discusses how location impacts access to HCBS for people living with dementia.
Author(s): Romil R. Parikh, Eric Jutkowitz, Jack M. Wolf, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(4), e70230
Date: 10/2026
view details
Examines the relationship among home and community-based services (HCBS), dementia status, and rural versus urban location. Utilizes 2016-2019 National Core Indicators-Aging and Disability survey data to analyze 14,645 residents according to dementia status, sociodemographics, residential status and assistive care needs, and metropolitan, micropolitan, small town, or rural location. Discusses how location impacts access to HCBS for people living with dementia.
Author(s): Romil R. Parikh, Eric Jutkowitz, Jack M. Wolf, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(4), e70230
Date: 10/2026
view details
Defining Mental Disorder: Differences in Primary Care Providers' and Psychiatrists' Conceptions of Illness
Compares how primary care providers (PCPs) and psychiatrists define and treat mental disorders in their patients. Uses interview data from 41 PCPs and 41 psychiatrists regarding their descriptions of patients with mental health concerns, the ease or difficulty of diagnosing and treating patients, referrals and access to mental health services, and more. Includes perspectives from rural PCPs and psychiatrists.
Author(s): Skye A. Miner, Joshua Breslau, Charles Engel, Stacey Yi, Luke J. Matthews
Citation: Journal of General Internal Medicine
Date: 10/2026
view details
Compares how primary care providers (PCPs) and psychiatrists define and treat mental disorders in their patients. Uses interview data from 41 PCPs and 41 psychiatrists regarding their descriptions of patients with mental health concerns, the ease or difficulty of diagnosing and treating patients, referrals and access to mental health services, and more. Includes perspectives from rural PCPs and psychiatrists.
Author(s): Skye A. Miner, Joshua Breslau, Charles Engel, Stacey Yi, Luke J. Matthews
Citation: Journal of General Internal Medicine
Date: 10/2026
view details
Women's Health in Pennsylvania
Provides information on demographic makeup of Pennsylvania women as of 2025. Includes statistics on number of births in Pennsylvania from 1990-2025 and number of breast cancer diagnoses in 2023, with breakdowns by urban and rural areas. Also features a county-level map with fertility rates from 2021-2025.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
view details
Provides information on demographic makeup of Pennsylvania women as of 2025. Includes statistics on number of births in Pennsylvania from 1990-2025 and number of breast cancer diagnoses in 2023, with breakdowns by urban and rural areas. Also features a county-level map with fertility rates from 2021-2025.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
view details
Evaluation of Agricultural Heat-Related Illness Prevention Training in Colorado
Evaluates the effectiveness of 13 train-the-trainer (TTT) heat-related illness prevention sessions in Colorado. Study assessed both TTT participants and agricultural workers who were trained by TTT participants. Describes study findings within the 4 levels of the Kirkpatrick evaluation model addressing participant satisfaction, knowledge acquisition, application, and impact of the training.
Author(s): Yessica Paola Martinez Palenque, Whitney Pennington, Kristin M. Skiendzielewski, et al.
Citation: Journal of Agromedicine, 2026
Date: 10/2026
view details
Evaluates the effectiveness of 13 train-the-trainer (TTT) heat-related illness prevention sessions in Colorado. Study assessed both TTT participants and agricultural workers who were trained by TTT participants. Describes study findings within the 4 levels of the Kirkpatrick evaluation model addressing participant satisfaction, knowledge acquisition, application, and impact of the training.
Author(s): Yessica Paola Martinez Palenque, Whitney Pennington, Kristin M. Skiendzielewski, et al.
Citation: Journal of Agromedicine, 2026
Date: 10/2026
view details
Treatable Mortality in Illinois Counties, "Them That Has, Gets"
Examines preventable mortality in Illinois caused by diseases that could have been treated by available medical care. Utilizes CDC Wonder data from 2018 and 2024 and provides county-level, as well as metro versus nonmetro, mortality rates and causes of death.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
view details
Examines preventable mortality in Illinois caused by diseases that could have been treated by available medical care. Utilizes CDC Wonder data from 2018 and 2024 and provides county-level, as well as metro versus nonmetro, mortality rates and causes of death.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
view details