Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities
Indian Health Service and Health Care Affordability Issues Among American Indian/ Alaska Native People by Rurality
Report explores healthcare affordability and Indian Health Services (IHS) utilization among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) in rural and urban communities. Highlights rates of patients receiving care at IHS, privately insured, and uninsured in rural and urban communities, among other measures.
Author(s): Ingrid Jacobson, Katie Rydberg, Alexis Swendener, et al.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Report explores healthcare affordability and Indian Health Services (IHS) utilization among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) in rural and urban communities. Highlights rates of patients receiving care at IHS, privately insured, and uninsured in rural and urban communities, among other measures.
Author(s): Ingrid Jacobson, Katie Rydberg, Alexis Swendener, et al.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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America's Health Rankings Annual Report 2025
Provides a national and state-by-state overview of population health by analyzing 99 measures drawn from 31 data sources to describe and rank health outcomes in the U.S. Analyzes and presents data on disparities by geography and demographic characteristics throughout. See the section titled, "Spotlight: Rural Communities," for information on trends in colorectal and breast cancer screening rates and physical inactivity of adults in rural areas between 2022 and 2024.
Additional links: Executive Brief
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
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Provides a national and state-by-state overview of population health by analyzing 99 measures drawn from 31 data sources to describe and rank health outcomes in the U.S. Analyzes and presents data on disparities by geography and demographic characteristics throughout. See the section titled, "Spotlight: Rural Communities," for information on trends in colorectal and breast cancer screening rates and physical inactivity of adults in rural areas between 2022 and 2024.
Additional links: Executive Brief
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
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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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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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Hawaiʻi Quality of Life & Well-Being Dashboard, 2026
Dashboard providing data on a variety of quality-of-life and health-related topics, including health status, healthcare access, transportation, food security, medical debt, positive and negative childhood experiences, disability, experiences of trauma, exposure to natural disasters, and more. Data may be sorted by county, rurality, and demographic group.
Author(s): J.P. Barile, E. McKinsey, N. Kohl, et al.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organizations: Hawaii Office of Wellness & Resilience, Health Policy Initiative at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
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Dashboard providing data on a variety of quality-of-life and health-related topics, including health status, healthcare access, transportation, food security, medical debt, positive and negative childhood experiences, disability, experiences of trauma, exposure to natural disasters, and more. Data may be sorted by county, rurality, and demographic group.
Author(s): J.P. Barile, E. McKinsey, N. Kohl, et al.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organizations: Hawaii Office of Wellness & Resilience, Health Policy Initiative at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
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Florida Cancer Plan 2026-2030
Provides a roadmap to reduce the cancer burden in Florida by maximizing healthcare access and outcomes, and reducing risk factors. Features a county-level map showing annual rates of new cancer diagnoses, and mentions rural throughout.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Florida Cancer Control & Research Advisory Council (CCRAB)
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Provides a roadmap to reduce the cancer burden in Florida by maximizing healthcare access and outcomes, and reducing risk factors. Features a county-level map showing annual rates of new cancer diagnoses, and mentions rural throughout.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Florida Cancer Control & Research Advisory Council (CCRAB)
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The State of Cancer Florida: CCRAB Annual Report 2026
Offers recent cancer data and trends in Florida. Features county-level maps showing ranges of age-adjusted mortality rates and percentages of late-stage cancer diagnoses per 100,000 population. Notes rural-urban disparities in cancer incidence and discusses the importance of screening in rural and sparsely-populated areas.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Florida Cancer Control & Research Advisory Council (CCRAB)
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Offers recent cancer data and trends in Florida. Features county-level maps showing ranges of age-adjusted mortality rates and percentages of late-stage cancer diagnoses per 100,000 population. Notes rural-urban disparities in cancer incidence and discusses the importance of screening in rural and sparsely-populated areas.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Florida Cancer Control & Research Advisory Council (CCRAB)
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The University of Arizona Center for Rural Health: Annual Report FY 2026
Highlights the Center for Rural Health's accomplishments in fiscal year 2026 and describes upcoming challenges and opportunities for improving the health of rural Arizonans. Discusses the State Office of Rural Health, Arizona Health Improvement Plan (AzHIP), Arizona Rural Hospital Flexibility program (AzFLEX), Arizona Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (AzSHIP), and other programs. Includes a map of rural and safety net health facilities.
Author(s): Daniel Derksen, Mona Arora, Leila Barraza, et al.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Arizona Center for Rural Health
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Highlights the Center for Rural Health's accomplishments in fiscal year 2026 and describes upcoming challenges and opportunities for improving the health of rural Arizonans. Discusses the State Office of Rural Health, Arizona Health Improvement Plan (AzHIP), Arizona Rural Hospital Flexibility program (AzFLEX), Arizona Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (AzSHIP), and other programs. Includes a map of rural and safety net health facilities.
Author(s): Daniel Derksen, Mona Arora, Leila Barraza, et al.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Arizona Center for Rural Health
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America's Health Rankings Senior Report 2026
Presents 56 measures of health and well-being from 25 data sources, to provide a picture of older adult health across the country, with comparisons by metro and nonmetro areas. Features insights on factors that shape the health of older adults in rural areas, and includes a state-level map with shadings showing ranges of rural population age 65 and older as of 2024.
Additional links: Executive Brief, Risk of Isolation County-Level Maps, State Summaries
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
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Presents 56 measures of health and well-being from 25 data sources, to provide a picture of older adult health across the country, with comparisons by metro and nonmetro areas. Features insights on factors that shape the health of older adults in rural areas, and includes a state-level map with shadings showing ranges of rural population age 65 and older as of 2024.
Additional links: Executive Brief, Risk of Isolation County-Level Maps, State Summaries
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: United Health Foundation
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Working on Wellness: The Rural Health and Employment Link
Examines the relationship between rural population health outcomes and employment security. Provides data on labor force participation, life expectancy, unhealthy days, and disability rates across the rural-urban continuum. Discusses metro versus nonmetro differences in workplace hazards and physical exertion.
Author(s): Surekha Carpenter, Bethany Greene, Stephanie Norris
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
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Examines the relationship between rural population health outcomes and employment security. Provides data on labor force participation, life expectancy, unhealthy days, and disability rates across the rural-urban continuum. Discusses metro versus nonmetro differences in workplace hazards and physical exertion.
Author(s): Surekha Carpenter, Bethany Greene, Stephanie Norris
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
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Improving Maternal Mental Health in Women With Serious Mental Illness
Report highlights gaps in maternal mental healthcare access and highlights promising practices aimed at closing those gaps in several states. Discusses factors that affect maternal mental health access, such as screening, workforce, training, and peer support, among others.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Report highlights gaps in maternal mental healthcare access and highlights promising practices aimed at closing those gaps in several states. Discusses factors that affect maternal mental health access, such as screening, workforce, training, and peer support, among others.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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