Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services
Assessing Access to Cardiologists and Endocrinologists in the Texas ACA Market
Uses secret shopper surveys to assess patient access to cardiologists and endocrinologists in the Texas Affordable Care Act marketplace. Includes breakdown of data by rurality of both patient and provider. Discusses appointment wait times and distance to care for rural patients.
Author(s): Simon F. Haeder, Yuqin Lou, Wendy Xu
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(4)
Date: 03/2026
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Uses secret shopper surveys to assess patient access to cardiologists and endocrinologists in the Texas Affordable Care Act marketplace. Includes breakdown of data by rurality of both patient and provider. Discusses appointment wait times and distance to care for rural patients.
Author(s): Simon F. Haeder, Yuqin Lou, Wendy Xu
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(4)
Date: 03/2026
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NSDUH Short Report: Substance Use Disorder and Major Depressive Episode among Females
Report explores rates of substance use disorder (SUD) and major depressive episode (MDE) among women from 2022-2024. Breaks down data by a number of factors, such as demographic factors, adolescents versus adults, SUD/MDE severity, and rurality, among other measures.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Report explores rates of substance use disorder (SUD) and major depressive episode (MDE) among women from 2022-2024. Breaks down data by a number of factors, such as demographic factors, adolescents versus adults, SUD/MDE severity, and rurality, among other measures.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Increasing Access to Oral Health Care in Rural Communities
Describes strategies states are implementing to meet the oral health needs of their rural communities. Covers initiatives related to telehealth, expanding the dental workforce, medical-dental integration, as well as initiatives proposed as part of state Rural Health Transformation Program applications.
Author(s): Megan D'Alessandro, Katie Greene
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Academy for State Health Policy
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Describes strategies states are implementing to meet the oral health needs of their rural communities. Covers initiatives related to telehealth, expanding the dental workforce, medical-dental integration, as well as initiatives proposed as part of state Rural Health Transformation Program applications.
Author(s): Megan D'Alessandro, Katie Greene
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Academy for State Health Policy
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Expanding Access to Low-Barrier Opioid Use Disorder Treatment in Non-Traditional Settings: Washington's Opioid Treatment Network
Presents a study exploring use of opioid treatment networks to provide low-barrier access to medications to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD) in Washington State. Compares rates of buprenorohine utilization of individuals within and outside of the network and by rural-urban residence.
Author(s): Shay M. Daily, Sharon Reif, Elizabeth Speaker, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70139
Date: 03/2026
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Presents a study exploring use of opioid treatment networks to provide low-barrier access to medications to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD) in Washington State. Compares rates of buprenorohine utilization of individuals within and outside of the network and by rural-urban residence.
Author(s): Shay M. Daily, Sharon Reif, Elizabeth Speaker, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70139
Date: 03/2026
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Vermont Cancer Surveillance: Data Pages
Presents data related to cancer, cancer prevention, and risk factors that can elevate the risk of cancer among Vermonters. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Vermont Department of Health
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Presents data related to cancer, cancer prevention, and risk factors that can elevate the risk of cancer among Vermonters. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Vermont Department of Health
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Effect of Medicaid Audio-Only Telehealth Coverage Policy on Mental Health Visits in Federally Qualified Health Centers
Examines the impact of Medicaid audio-only coverage (MAOC) and telehealth policy on mental health usage at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Utilizes 2016-2022 FQHC-level Uniform Data Systems (UDS) data to analyze mental health visit rates and MAOC policy implementation according to rural versus urban location as well as presence or absence of a primary telemental health service.
Author(s): Khyathi Gadag, Kanika Arora, Brian Kaskie, Whitney E. Zahnd
Citation: Health Services Research, 61(2), e70107
Date: 03/2026
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Examines the impact of Medicaid audio-only coverage (MAOC) and telehealth policy on mental health usage at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Utilizes 2016-2022 FQHC-level Uniform Data Systems (UDS) data to analyze mental health visit rates and MAOC policy implementation according to rural versus urban location as well as presence or absence of a primary telemental health service.
Author(s): Khyathi Gadag, Kanika Arora, Brian Kaskie, Whitney E. Zahnd
Citation: Health Services Research, 61(2), e70107
Date: 03/2026
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Healthcare Priorities in Governors' 2026 State of the State Addresses
Summarizes common themes from governors' 2026 legislative addresses regarding healthcare. Highlights rural healthcare access, the Rural Health Transformation Program, workforce, healthcare technology, licensing reform, affordability, and more.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Governors Association
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Summarizes common themes from governors' 2026 legislative addresses regarding healthcare. Highlights rural healthcare access, the Rural Health Transformation Program, workforce, healthcare technology, licensing reform, affordability, and more.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Governors Association
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A Comparative Analysis of Visual Field Test Results Using Tablet-Based and Table-Mounted Devices in a Telemedicine Program Set in Underserved Areas
Describes the reliability and comparative accuracy of a tablet-based visual field (VF) assessment compared to the standard Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer (HFA) among 253 Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) patients in rural Alabama. Discusses the potential implications of the findings on increasing access to eye care in rural primary care settings.
Author(s): Ellen K. Antwi-Adjei, Thomas A. Swain, Christopher A. Girkin, et al.
Citation: Translational Vision Science & Technology, 15(3), 29
Date: 03/2026
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Describes the reliability and comparative accuracy of a tablet-based visual field (VF) assessment compared to the standard Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer (HFA) among 253 Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) patients in rural Alabama. Discusses the potential implications of the findings on increasing access to eye care in rural primary care settings.
Author(s): Ellen K. Antwi-Adjei, Thomas A. Swain, Christopher A. Girkin, et al.
Citation: Translational Vision Science & Technology, 15(3), 29
Date: 03/2026
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Cigarette and Electronic Cigarette Use Among Adults by Urbanization Level: United States, 2024
Offers 2024 data showing the percentage of adults who use cigarettes and electronic cigarettes by 4 levels of urbanization. Includes a break down by age ranges.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Offers 2024 data showing the percentage of adults who use cigarettes and electronic cigarettes by 4 levels of urbanization. Includes a break down by age ranges.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Vaccination Coverage by Age 24 Months Among Children Born in 2021 and 2022 — National Immunization Survey-Child, United States, 2022–2024
Examines vaccination coverage for selected vaccines and doses among children born in 2021-2022. Supplementary Table 2 includes data on vaccine coverage for metropolitan and nonmetro areas.
Additional links: Supplementary Table 2
Author(s): Holly A. Hill, David Yankey, Laurie D. Elam-Evans, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 75(11), 146-155
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Examines vaccination coverage for selected vaccines and doses among children born in 2021-2022. Supplementary Table 2 includes data on vaccine coverage for metropolitan and nonmetro areas.
Additional links: Supplementary Table 2
Author(s): Holly A. Hill, David Yankey, Laurie D. Elam-Evans, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 75(11), 146-155
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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