Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health conditions
Understanding Risk Factors for Otitis Media in Rural Alaska Native Children: A Cohort Study
Presents a study on the relationship between otitis media, a middle ear disease associated with childhood hearing loss, and environmental, genetic, and dietary risk factors among children aged 1-4 in Alaska Native communities in the rural Bering Strait region of Alaska. Explores the presence of genetic factors that increase the likelihood of respiratory infections in newborns, rates of breastfeeding, and environmental factors, such as smoke exposure and availability of running water, among others.
Author(s): Rolvix H Patterson, Susan D Emmett, Kelli L Scheinman, et al.
Citation: Ear & Hearing, 47(2), 417-428
Date: 03/2026
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Presents a study on the relationship between otitis media, a middle ear disease associated with childhood hearing loss, and environmental, genetic, and dietary risk factors among children aged 1-4 in Alaska Native communities in the rural Bering Strait region of Alaska. Explores the presence of genetic factors that increase the likelihood of respiratory infections in newborns, rates of breastfeeding, and environmental factors, such as smoke exposure and availability of running water, among others.
Author(s): Rolvix H Patterson, Susan D Emmett, Kelli L Scheinman, et al.
Citation: Ear & Hearing, 47(2), 417-428
Date: 03/2026
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Assessing Environmental, Nutritional, and Genetic Factors for Otitis Media-Related Hearing Loss in Rural Alaska Native Children
Highlights a study on the relationship between otitis media, a middle ear disease associated with childhood hearing loss, and environmental, genetic, and dietary risk factors among children aged 1-4 in Alaska Native communities in the rural Norton Sound region of Alaska. Explores the presence of genetic factors that increase the likelihood of respiratory infections in newborns, rates of breastfeeding, and environmental factors, such as smoke exposure and availability of running water, among others.
Author(s): Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Alyssa Platt, Rolvix H Patterson, et al.
Citation: Ear & Hearing, 47(2), 404-416
Date: 03/2026
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Highlights a study on the relationship between otitis media, a middle ear disease associated with childhood hearing loss, and environmental, genetic, and dietary risk factors among children aged 1-4 in Alaska Native communities in the rural Norton Sound region of Alaska. Explores the presence of genetic factors that increase the likelihood of respiratory infections in newborns, rates of breastfeeding, and environmental factors, such as smoke exposure and availability of running water, among others.
Author(s): Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Alyssa Platt, Rolvix H Patterson, et al.
Citation: Ear & Hearing, 47(2), 404-416
Date: 03/2026
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Rural Vulnerability in Texas: A Structurally Different Crisis
Describes a data-driven approach to understanding rural chronic disease and maternal health vulnerability, highlighting how rural and urban differences in disease prevalence, access to care, and Internet connectivity influence health outcomes.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: PCCI
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Describes a data-driven approach to understanding rural chronic disease and maternal health vulnerability, highlighting how rural and urban differences in disease prevalence, access to care, and Internet connectivity influence health outcomes.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: PCCI
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Adult Tobacco Use in Vermont: 2024 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
Data brief summarizing tobacco measures from the 2024 Vermont Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a phone survey of adult Vermonters. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural areas and a county-level map showing smoking rates.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Vermont Department of Health
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Data brief summarizing tobacco measures from the 2024 Vermont Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a phone survey of adult Vermonters. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural areas and a county-level map showing smoking rates.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Vermont Department of Health
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Application of Spatial Methods in Rural Cancer Control Research in the United States
Discusses the application of spatial research methods to study rural cancer disparities. Considers rural cancer control research methods such as identification of disease clusters and patterns, spatial accessibility measures, small area estimation techniques, spatial regression, multilevel modeling, and more.
Author(s): Whitney E. Zahnd, Jan M. Eberth, Sarah H. Nash, et al.
Citation: Current Epidemiology Reports, 13, 4
Date: 02/2026
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Discusses the application of spatial research methods to study rural cancer disparities. Considers rural cancer control research methods such as identification of disease clusters and patterns, spatial accessibility measures, small area estimation techniques, spatial regression, multilevel modeling, and more.
Author(s): Whitney E. Zahnd, Jan M. Eberth, Sarah H. Nash, et al.
Citation: Current Epidemiology Reports, 13, 4
Date: 02/2026
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Association of DNA Methyltransferase Polymorphisms with Breast Cancer: A Nested Case‒Control Study of the Arkansas Rural Community Health Study
Examines how DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B polymorphisms influence breast cancer risk using data of 2,407 participants in the Arkansas Rural Community Health cohort study.
Author(s): Sarah A. Mayberry, Ping-Ching Hsu, Hui-Yi Lin, et al.
Citation: BMC Cancer, 26, 357
Date: 02/2026
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Examines how DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B polymorphisms influence breast cancer risk using data of 2,407 participants in the Arkansas Rural Community Health cohort study.
Author(s): Sarah A. Mayberry, Ping-Ching Hsu, Hui-Yi Lin, et al.
Citation: BMC Cancer, 26, 357
Date: 02/2026
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Insurance Coverage and Perceived Access to Care Among Rural Adults: A Cross‐Sectional Study Using Andersen's Behavioral Model
Examines the relationship between insurance coverage and perceived healthcare access among adults living in rural Connecticut. Utilizes 2012-2013 Connecticut Health Care Survey data to explore respondent sociodemographics, health status, missed or delayed care, and more. Discusses how insurance availability and other factors impact perceived access to healthcare for patients.
Author(s): Christian Ketel, Lisa C. Lindley
Citation: Public Health Nursing, 43(3), 585-594
Date: 02/2026
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Examines the relationship between insurance coverage and perceived healthcare access among adults living in rural Connecticut. Utilizes 2012-2013 Connecticut Health Care Survey data to explore respondent sociodemographics, health status, missed or delayed care, and more. Discusses how insurance availability and other factors impact perceived access to healthcare for patients.
Author(s): Christian Ketel, Lisa C. Lindley
Citation: Public Health Nursing, 43(3), 585-594
Date: 02/2026
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Optimizing Mobile Mammography Deployment in Oklahoma 2024: A Two-Step Floating Catchment Area Approach
Examines how geographic and demographic access to fixed mammography centers varies among eligible women in Oklahoma, using 2024 FDA Mammography Facilities Database and 2022 Census block group data. Identifies priority areas for mobile mammography to address barriers and promote mammography. Includes data breakdowns by level of rurality, among other variables.
Author(s): Janis E. Campbell, Amanda Janitz, Ayesha B. Sambo, et al.
Citation: Geospatial Health, 21(1)
Date: 02/2026
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Examines how geographic and demographic access to fixed mammography centers varies among eligible women in Oklahoma, using 2024 FDA Mammography Facilities Database and 2022 Census block group data. Identifies priority areas for mobile mammography to address barriers and promote mammography. Includes data breakdowns by level of rurality, among other variables.
Author(s): Janis E. Campbell, Amanda Janitz, Ayesha B. Sambo, et al.
Citation: Geospatial Health, 21(1)
Date: 02/2026
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Wastewater Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 in Rural Kentucky, 2021–2023
Examines results from SARS-CoV-2 wastewater testing in majority rural Eastern Kentucky counties. Analyzes 818 wastewater samples to provide information on COVID-19 incidence from 2021 to 2023. Discusses how wastewater surveillance in rural communities can assist in describing disease levels.
Author(s): James W. Keck, Reuben Adatorwovor, Ann Noble, et al.
Citation: Viruses, 18(3), 282
Date: 02/2026
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Examines results from SARS-CoV-2 wastewater testing in majority rural Eastern Kentucky counties. Analyzes 818 wastewater samples to provide information on COVID-19 incidence from 2021 to 2023. Discusses how wastewater surveillance in rural communities can assist in describing disease levels.
Author(s): James W. Keck, Reuben Adatorwovor, Ann Noble, et al.
Citation: Viruses, 18(3), 282
Date: 02/2026
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Cardiovascular Mortality Risk After Cancer Diagnosis by County‐Level Characteristics in the United States 2000–2021
Examines how cardiovascular disease mortality among cancer survivors differs by county rural or urban status, persistent poverty, and racial composition, using 2000-2021 SEER 17 Registries data.
Author(s): Yenan Zhu, Ryan Suk, Yueh‐Yun Lin, Young‐Rock Hong, Beth Virnig
Citation: Cancer Medicine, 15(3), e71675
Date: 02/2026
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Examines how cardiovascular disease mortality among cancer survivors differs by county rural or urban status, persistent poverty, and racial composition, using 2000-2021 SEER 17 Registries data.
Author(s): Yenan Zhu, Ryan Suk, Yueh‐Yun Lin, Young‐Rock Hong, Beth Virnig
Citation: Cancer Medicine, 15(3), e71675
Date: 02/2026
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