Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services
Clinician Discussion of Family Cancer Risk and Use of Genetic Testing Among US Adults With a Family History of Cancer
Examines clinician-patient discussion of family cancer risks and use of genetic testing among U.S. adults with a family history of cancer. Utilizes 2023 National Health Interview Survey data from 9,476 respondents to explore clinician discussion of cancer risk, with breakdowns according to demographics, access to care, rural residence, and receipt of genetic testing.
Author(s): Abe E. Sahmoun
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23
Date: 10/2026
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Examines clinician-patient discussion of family cancer risks and use of genetic testing among U.S. adults with a family history of cancer. Utilizes 2023 National Health Interview Survey data from 9,476 respondents to explore clinician discussion of cancer risk, with breakdowns according to demographics, access to care, rural residence, and receipt of genetic testing.
Author(s): Abe E. Sahmoun
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23
Date: 10/2026
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Building on the 2025 National Academies Pharmacy Workshop: Pharmacy Deserts in the United States
Describes pharmacy access in the United States, including discussions of "pharmacy desert" definitions by rurality, drivers of recent pharmacy desert trends, and the impact of pharmacy deserts on health outcomes. Highlights potential policy strategies for addressing pharmacy deserts with a focus on the pharmacy workforce, reimbursement and payment models, new technologies, and service delivery models.
Author(s): Lucas A. Berenbrok, Delesha Carpenter, Teresa M. Salgado, et al.
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(10)
Date: 10/2026
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Describes pharmacy access in the United States, including discussions of "pharmacy desert" definitions by rurality, drivers of recent pharmacy desert trends, and the impact of pharmacy deserts on health outcomes. Highlights potential policy strategies for addressing pharmacy deserts with a focus on the pharmacy workforce, reimbursement and payment models, new technologies, and service delivery models.
Author(s): Lucas A. Berenbrok, Delesha Carpenter, Teresa M. Salgado, et al.
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(10)
Date: 10/2026
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Chronic Conditions in Residential Care Communities: United States, 2025
Reports on the prevalence of chronic disease among patients in residential care communities using 2025 National Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Study data. See Figure 2 for a metro-nonmetro comparison of residential care communities reporting patients with all four chronic conditions (Alzheimer's disease or other dementias, diabetes, depression, heart disease).
Author(s): Christine Caffrey, Manisha Sengupta, Jessica P. Lendon, Shannon Kindilien, Amanuel Melekin
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Reports on the prevalence of chronic disease among patients in residential care communities using 2025 National Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Study data. See Figure 2 for a metro-nonmetro comparison of residential care communities reporting patients with all four chronic conditions (Alzheimer's disease or other dementias, diabetes, depression, heart disease).
Author(s): Christine Caffrey, Manisha Sengupta, Jessica P. Lendon, Shannon Kindilien, Amanuel Melekin
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Notes from the Field: Dengue Outbreak — U.S. Virgin Islands, January 2024–June 2025
Provides an overview of the response to a dengue virus outbreak in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). Discusses the addition of diagnostic testing and web-based reporting for dengue in the USVI, clinical training, vector control, and community outreach.
Author(s): Sarah Gallalee, Hannah M. Cranford, Andra Prosper, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 75(40), 607-608
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Provides an overview of the response to a dengue virus outbreak in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). Discusses the addition of diagnostic testing and web-based reporting for dengue in the USVI, clinical training, vector control, and community outreach.
Author(s): Sarah Gallalee, Hannah M. Cranford, Andra Prosper, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 75(40), 607-608
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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October 2026 MedPAC Meeting Transcript
Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) October 2026 meeting. Covers an analysis of physician participation in Medicare Advantage provider networks, issues affecting the payment accuracy of the physician fee schedule and the clinical laboratory fee schedule, clinician quality initiatives in fee-for-service Medicare, Medicare's late-enrollment penalties, and MedPAC's work plan regarding the skilled nursing facility and home health prospective payment systems.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) October 2026 meeting. Covers an analysis of physician participation in Medicare Advantage provider networks, issues affecting the payment accuracy of the physician fee schedule and the clinical laboratory fee schedule, clinician quality initiatives in fee-for-service Medicare, Medicare's late-enrollment penalties, and MedPAC's work plan regarding the skilled nursing facility and home health prospective payment systems.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Philanthropic Funding Helps Rural Providers Access Ultrasound Equipment and Training
Discusses the benefits of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for rural patients and facilities. Describes funding from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust for POCUS equipment and training and shares experiences of rural Minnesota and North Dakota providers who received this support.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Discusses the benefits of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for rural patients and facilities. Describes funding from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust for POCUS equipment and training and shares experiences of rural Minnesota and North Dakota providers who received this support.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Rural and Non‐Rural U.S. Veterans Receiving Virtual Geriatric Mental Health Services in the Clinical Resource Hubs
Explores how the use of telehealth geriatric mental health services varies among rural and non-rural veterans within the Veterans Health Administration Clinical Resource Hub system, using 2021-2023 electronic health record data of 2,013 veterans aged 50 or older.
Author(s): Christine E. Gould, Chalise Carlson, Susan K. Schultz, et al.
Citation: Psychiatric Research and Clinical Practice
Date: 10/2026
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Explores how the use of telehealth geriatric mental health services varies among rural and non-rural veterans within the Veterans Health Administration Clinical Resource Hub system, using 2021-2023 electronic health record data of 2,013 veterans aged 50 or older.
Author(s): Christine E. Gould, Chalise Carlson, Susan K. Schultz, et al.
Citation: Psychiatric Research and Clinical Practice
Date: 10/2026
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Urban-Rural and Demographic Differences in Substance Use Among High School Students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2025
Reports on substance use behaviors among students at urban and rural schools based on data from the 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Includes data for city, suburban/town, and rural schools for current and lifetime use of specific substances, including tobacco products, alcohol, prescription opioids, and a range of illicit drugs.
Author(s): Sanjana Pampati, Izraelle I. McKinnon, Joohyun Park, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) Supplements, 75(1), 54-66
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Reports on substance use behaviors among students at urban and rural schools based on data from the 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Includes data for city, suburban/town, and rural schools for current and lifetime use of specific substances, including tobacco products, alcohol, prescription opioids, and a range of illicit drugs.
Author(s): Sanjana Pampati, Izraelle I. McKinnon, Joohyun Park, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) Supplements, 75(1), 54-66
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Cannabis Use and Perceptions among Rural and Urban Cancer Patients and Survivors from a Pennsylvania Cancer Center
Explores how perceptions of cannabis use vary among 186 rural and urban or suburban cancer patients who received treatment from Penn State Cancer Institute between June 2023 and June 2024. Compares openness to use, perceived benefits and risks, and more.
Author(s): Jeremy Ireland, Leah Holben, Cheryl L. Thompson, et al.
Citation: Supportive Care in Cancer, 34, 1074
Date: 10/2026
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Explores how perceptions of cannabis use vary among 186 rural and urban or suburban cancer patients who received treatment from Penn State Cancer Institute between June 2023 and June 2024. Compares openness to use, perceived benefits and risks, and more.
Author(s): Jeremy Ireland, Leah Holben, Cheryl L. Thompson, et al.
Citation: Supportive Care in Cancer, 34, 1074
Date: 10/2026
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Traffic Safety Facts, 2024 Data: Older Population
National data on traffic crashes involving drivers age 65 and older. Features statistics from 2015-2024 with breakdowns by sex, age group, blood alcohol concentrations, state, and rural or urban location.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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National data on traffic crashes involving drivers age 65 and older. Features statistics from 2015-2024 with breakdowns by sex, age group, blood alcohol concentrations, state, and rural or urban location.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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