Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services
An Enhanced Method for Identifying Hospital-Based Obstetric Unit Status, Version 2 with Addendum
Results of a study using data from American Hospital Association annual surveys from 2010-2018 to conduct single- and multi-year assessments of obstetric unit status and to identify closures of obstetric units. Compares results obtained through the enhanced method with results of a survey sample of rural hospitals with obstetric units open at the time of the assessment and those with recently closed units. Addendum describes methodology updates since a previously published January 2022 report as well as additional findings using 2010-2023 data.
Additional links: An Enhanced Method for Identifying Hospital-Based Obstetric Unit Status (Version 1, 2022)
Author(s): Julia D. Interrante, Caitlin Carroll, Emily C. Sheffield, et al.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Results of a study using data from American Hospital Association annual surveys from 2010-2018 to conduct single- and multi-year assessments of obstetric unit status and to identify closures of obstetric units. Compares results obtained through the enhanced method with results of a survey sample of rural hospitals with obstetric units open at the time of the assessment and those with recently closed units. Addendum describes methodology updates since a previously published January 2022 report as well as additional findings using 2010-2023 data.
Additional links: An Enhanced Method for Identifying Hospital-Based Obstetric Unit Status (Version 1, 2022)
Author(s): Julia D. Interrante, Caitlin Carroll, Emily C. Sheffield, et al.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule (CMS-1832-F)
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and other Medicare Part B issues for calendar year 2026. Summarizes provisions related to telehealth services; improving care for chronic illness and behavioral health needs; Rural Health Clinic (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) care coordination services, services requiring direct supervision, and telecommunication services; and more.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and other Medicare Part B issues for calendar year 2026. Summarizes provisions related to telehealth services; improving care for chronic illness and behavioral health needs; Rural Health Clinic (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) care coordination services, services requiring direct supervision, and telecommunication services; and more.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Greater Physician Supply Associated with Lower Mortality in Rural Counties: A 23-Year County-Level Longitudinal Observational Study
Examines the relationship between increasing the primary care physician supply in rural areas and corresponding mortality rates. Provides data from a study conducted between 1992-2014 and analyzes rural versus urban trends in mortality rates and physician supply. Discusses rural healthcare practitioner workforce needs, rural versus urban healthcare disparities, and access to care.
Author(s): Nasim B. Ferdows, Cyrus Kosar, Orestis Panagiotou, Momotazur Rahman
Citation: INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 62
Date: 10/2025
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Examines the relationship between increasing the primary care physician supply in rural areas and corresponding mortality rates. Provides data from a study conducted between 1992-2014 and analyzes rural versus urban trends in mortality rates and physician supply. Discusses rural healthcare practitioner workforce needs, rural versus urban healthcare disparities, and access to care.
Author(s): Nasim B. Ferdows, Cyrus Kosar, Orestis Panagiotou, Momotazur Rahman
Citation: INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 62
Date: 10/2025
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Caregiving in the US 2025: Caring Across States
Offers data on caregivers including demographics, tasks performed, finances and employment, and wellness. Includes rural, suburban, and urban breakdown for caregivers in 32 states.
Additional links: State-Specific Findings
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organizations: AARP, National Alliance for Caregiving
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Offers data on caregivers including demographics, tasks performed, finances and employment, and wellness. Includes rural, suburban, and urban breakdown for caregivers in 32 states.
Additional links: State-Specific Findings
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organizations: AARP, National Alliance for Caregiving
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What Drives Advanced Practice Nurses to Stay in Rural America? Insights From the 2022 National Survey of Registered Nurses
Presents a study on the factors influencing rural advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to leave their jobs or stay working in rural communities. Draws data from the 2022 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses. Explores factors such as burnout, proximity to family, and cost of living, among others, that can contribute to whether or not APRNs stay in rural communities.
Author(s): Esita Patel, Chris Gillette, Jan Ostermann, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(4), e70088
Date: 10/2025
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Presents a study on the factors influencing rural advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to leave their jobs or stay working in rural communities. Draws data from the 2022 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses. Explores factors such as burnout, proximity to family, and cost of living, among others, that can contribute to whether or not APRNs stay in rural communities.
Author(s): Esita Patel, Chris Gillette, Jan Ostermann, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(4), e70088
Date: 10/2025
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South Carolina Rural Primary Care Workforce
Offers maps and tables of the primary care workforce distribution in South Carolina in 2025. Includes county-level data and rural and urban comparisons.
Author(s): S.C. Woolcock, C.H.A. Andrilla, L.A. Garberson, J.M. Graves
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Offers maps and tables of the primary care workforce distribution in South Carolina in 2025. Includes county-level data and rural and urban comparisons.
Author(s): S.C. Woolcock, C.H.A. Andrilla, L.A. Garberson, J.M. Graves
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Minnesota Rural Primary Care Workforce
Offers maps and tables of the primary care workforce distribution in Minnesota in 2025. Includes county-level data and rural and urban comparisons.
Author(s): S.C. Woolcock, C.H.A. Andrilla, L.A. Garberson, J.M. Graves
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Offers maps and tables of the primary care workforce distribution in Minnesota in 2025. Includes county-level data and rural and urban comparisons.
Author(s): S.C. Woolcock, C.H.A. Andrilla, L.A. Garberson, J.M. Graves
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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National Outcomes of Increasing Cervical Cancer Screening in Federally Qualified Health Centers
Analyzes the population served by Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in 2023 to determine the number of adults underscreened for cervical cancer and how improving screenings in FQHCs would impact meeting a Healthy People 2030 goal. Includes rural and urban comparisons in addition to other sociodemographic factors.
Author(s): Trisha L. Amboree, Prajakta Adsul, Haluk Damgacioglu, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(10)
Date: 10/2025
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Analyzes the population served by Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in 2023 to determine the number of adults underscreened for cervical cancer and how improving screenings in FQHCs would impact meeting a Healthy People 2030 goal. Includes rural and urban comparisons in addition to other sociodemographic factors.
Author(s): Trisha L. Amboree, Prajakta Adsul, Haluk Damgacioglu, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(10)
Date: 10/2025
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Sociodemographic Predictors of County-Level Mammography Screening Rates in the United States
Examines the relationship between mammography screening rates and county-level sociodemographic variables. Utilizes 2024 data to analyze screening engagement by demographic breakdowns, rurality, and county. Includes county-level U.S. map showing percentage of the population engaging in recommended screenings.
Author(s): Randy C. Miles, Caroline J. Walsh, Nhat-Tuan Tran, et al.
Citation: Radiology: Imaging Cancer, 7(6)
Date: 10/2025
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Examines the relationship between mammography screening rates and county-level sociodemographic variables. Utilizes 2024 data to analyze screening engagement by demographic breakdowns, rurality, and county. Includes county-level U.S. map showing percentage of the population engaging in recommended screenings.
Author(s): Randy C. Miles, Caroline J. Walsh, Nhat-Tuan Tran, et al.
Citation: Radiology: Imaging Cancer, 7(6)
Date: 10/2025
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"Gives Us Peace of Mind for Keeping Our Hands Clean": Targeted Handwashing Intervention Increases Water Use and Hand Hygiene in Rural Alaska
Highlights a study on the hygiene outcomes of an intervention that installed Miniature Portable Alternative Sanitation System (Mini-PASS) handwashing stations in 14 rural Alaska Native communities. Details the lack of in-home water service in rural Alaska and the related health consequences. Evaluates the Mini-PASS intervention's outcomes in terms of handwashing station utilization and household water use.
Author(s): Amanda Hansen, Gretchen Day, Marla Wehrli, Laura Eichelberger
Citation: International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 84(1), 2569761
Date: 10/2025
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Highlights a study on the hygiene outcomes of an intervention that installed Miniature Portable Alternative Sanitation System (Mini-PASS) handwashing stations in 14 rural Alaska Native communities. Details the lack of in-home water service in rural Alaska and the related health consequences. Evaluates the Mini-PASS intervention's outcomes in terms of handwashing station utilization and household water use.
Author(s): Amanda Hansen, Gretchen Day, Marla Wehrli, Laura Eichelberger
Citation: International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 84(1), 2569761
Date: 10/2025
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