Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health conditions
Assessment of Rebound in Cancer Diagnoses in California in 2022, by Stage, Sociodemographic Factors, and Rurality
Examines how cancer diagnoses differed in California in 2022 by sociodemographic and geographic group, using 2001-2022 NCI SEER data. See Supplementary Tables for data breakdowns by cancer type and level of rurality.
Author(s): Erin L. Van Blarigan, Alison J. Canchola, Li Zhu, et al.
Citation: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 35(3), 415-419
Date: 03/2026
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Examines how cancer diagnoses differed in California in 2022 by sociodemographic and geographic group, using 2001-2022 NCI SEER data. See Supplementary Tables for data breakdowns by cancer type and level of rurality.
Author(s): Erin L. Van Blarigan, Alison J. Canchola, Li Zhu, et al.
Citation: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 35(3), 415-419
Date: 03/2026
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March 2026 MedPAC Meeting Transcript
Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) March 2026 meeting. Covers research and proposals related to the Medicare ground ambulance data collection system, access to hospice and certain complex palliative services for beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease and beneficiaries with cancer, provider participation in Medicare Advantage (MA) networks, MA encounter data in risk adjustment, the complexity of Medicare enrollment decisions for beneficiaries, and Medicare Part B premium payment basics. Includes rural references and considerations throughout.
Additional links: Mandated Report: Assessment of the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) March 2026 meeting. Covers research and proposals related to the Medicare ground ambulance data collection system, access to hospice and certain complex palliative services for beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease and beneficiaries with cancer, provider participation in Medicare Advantage (MA) networks, MA encounter data in risk adjustment, the complexity of Medicare enrollment decisions for beneficiaries, and Medicare Part B premium payment basics. Includes rural references and considerations throughout.
Additional links: Mandated Report: Assessment of the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Exploring Maternal Mental Health Conditions and Urban-Rural Disparities in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy in South Carolina: A Fairlie Decomposition Approach
Examines the impact of maternal mental health on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) in rural and urban areas of South Carolina. Utilizes data from 270,000 mothers with HDP to analyze maternal mental health conditions according to rural versus urban location, demographic variables, quality of prenatal care, mother's health condition, and more.
Author(s): Manan Roy, Maggie Sugg, Jennifer Runkle
Citation: Maternal and Child Health Journal, 30, 452-463
Date: 03/2026
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Examines the impact of maternal mental health on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) in rural and urban areas of South Carolina. Utilizes data from 270,000 mothers with HDP to analyze maternal mental health conditions according to rural versus urban location, demographic variables, quality of prenatal care, mother's health condition, and more.
Author(s): Manan Roy, Maggie Sugg, Jennifer Runkle
Citation: Maternal and Child Health Journal, 30, 452-463
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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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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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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