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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities

Predictors of Inpatient RN Turnover in Rural and Urban VHA Hospitals
A study on the rates and associated factors of registered nursing (RN) workforce turnover in rural and urban Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals. Breaks down data by RN demographic factors, such as age, salary, and experience within the VHA, and hospital factors, such as average age, average base salary, and average number of units worked, among other factors.
Author(s): Katherine G. Bay, Chase S. Eck, Melissa K. Knox, et al.
Citation: Medical Care, 64(1S), S9-S17
Date: 01/2026
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Maternal Chronic Disease Prevention in Rural America: A Life Course Perspective
Examines maternal chronic disease management in rural areas of the United States. Discusses social determinants of health and maternal health disparities specific to rural areas. Provides policy, public health surveillance, and community engagement approaches to address the rural maternal health crisis.
Author(s): Kobi V Ajayi, Emesomhi Eboreime, Alva Ferdinand, Ninfa Purcell, Robin Page
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health
Date: 12/2025
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2021-2024 NSDUH Data Brief: Trends in Substance Use among Young Adults
Report details the substance use trends for young adults from 2021 to 2024 based on the findings from the Nation Survey on Drug Use and Health. Identifies substance use patterns and breaks down data by age, substance used, and whether participants resided in a large or small metropolitan or nonmetro county.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Geographic and Demographic Differences in Studies of the Five Leading Causes of Death in the U.S.: Evidence from Peer-Reviewed Literature
Literature review examining the extent to which studies on mortality related to heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, chronic lower respiratory disease, and stroke included individual measures of rurality, race, and ethnicity, and analyzes the findings of these studies. Discusses differences in research on a condition-by-condition basis and suggests directions for future health disparities research.
Author(s): Alva O. Ferdinand, Timothy Callaghan, Gogoal Falia, et al.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
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American Cancer Society's Report on the Status of Cancer Disparities in the United States, 2025
Reports on cancer disparities by various demographic factors, socioeconomic status, geography, and other factors, utilizing 2018-2022 North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) data. Contains metropolitan versus nonmetropolitan data comparisons throughout, and discusses factors influencing access to cancer screening and treatment, including rurality.
Author(s): Farhad Islami, Gladys Arias, Dongjun Lee, et al.
Citation: CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 76(1), e70045
Date: 12/2025
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Working Across Contexts: Critical Events in Rural Teletherapy in Alaska
Explores the challenges of providing teletherapy to rural and remote communities in Alaska. Discusses the "critical events" that have shaped clinicians approaches to providing teletherapy to rural and remote patients.
Author(s): Peter L. Noon, Camille M. Booth, Edmond I. Arroyo, et al.
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 25, 10336
Date: 12/2025
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Advancing Trauma Systems in the United States: Bridging Disparities Through State-Level Legislation and a Health Systems Approach
Discusses disparities in trauma care in rural and urban communities in the United States. Examines weaknesses in the current trauma system and provides associated legislative solutions. Offers policy strategies for rural regions and trauma systems with limited capacity.
Author(s): Bilal Irfan, Zain Hashmi, Tatiana Ramos, Molly Jarman
Citation: Health Services Research, e70073
Date: 12/2025
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Examining Rural Disparities in Cigarette Smoking Among U.S. Women by Chronological Age: 2002–2022
Presents a study on rural disparities in rates of cigarette smoking among women from 2002 to 2022. Draws data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health and examines correlative factors, such as age, educational attainment, and income, among others.
Author(s): Stephen T. Higgins, Tyler G. Erath, Fang Fang Chen, Michael J. DeSarno
Citation: Preventive Medicine, 201, 108359
Date: 12/2025
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Pregnancy-Related Death Rates by County, Race, and Ethnicity in the US, 2000-2019
Examines maternal mortality disparities across geography and demographic characteristics. Utilizes 2000-2019 U.S. National Vital Statistics System and U.S. National Center for Health Statistics data to analyze mortality among pregnant women aged 15 to 44. Includes county-level U.S. maps showing mortality rates and discussion of mortality burden in rural areas.
Author(s): Rachel A. Zajdel, Erik J. Rodriquez, Paula D. Strassle, et al.
Citation: Archives of Public Health, 83, 274
Date: 11/2025
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Impact of Race/Ethnicity Reporting Methods: Health Disparities Among American Indians/Alaska Natives
Analyzes how race and ethnicity classification methods influence demographic and health status data among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people in New Mexico, utilizing 2018-2022 New Mexico BRFSS data. Discusses perspectives provided by tribal health organizations and implications for future data collection and research.
Author(s): Stephanie Lashway, Desirae Martinez
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: New Mexico Department of Health
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