Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services
2026 CCBHC Impact Report
Discusses the impact certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHCs) have had on expanding access to mental and substance use healthcare, supporting the well-being of children and families, and coordinating with primary care providers, among other measures. Explores national CCBHC implementation status, utilization of services, collaboration with other providers, and workforce support. Includes a breakdown of clientele expansions in rural CCBHCs.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Council for Mental Wellbeing
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Discusses the impact certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHCs) have had on expanding access to mental and substance use healthcare, supporting the well-being of children and families, and coordinating with primary care providers, among other measures. Explores national CCBHC implementation status, utilization of services, collaboration with other providers, and workforce support. Includes a breakdown of clientele expansions in rural CCBHCs.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Council for Mental Wellbeing
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Indiana Kidney Program Improves Outcomes Through Proactive Care and Education
Profiles the Kidney Care Options (KCO) Program developed by Major Health Partners (MHP) in rural Shelby County, Indiana. Shares how the nurse-led, interdisciplinary KCO program provides patient education, care coordination, patient advocacy, and other supports early in the treatment process so patients can make informed decisions about their kidney care.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Profiles the Kidney Care Options (KCO) Program developed by Major Health Partners (MHP) in rural Shelby County, Indiana. Shares how the nurse-led, interdisciplinary KCO program provides patient education, care coordination, patient advocacy, and other supports early in the treatment process so patients can make informed decisions about their kidney care.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Interstate Licensing Compacts (2026 Overview)
Provides a brief overview of major interstate licensing compacts as of July 2026. Includes a chart on the status of licensure compacts in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Additional links: Licensure Compact Chart 2026
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Great Plains Telehealth Resource and Assistance Center
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Provides a brief overview of major interstate licensing compacts as of July 2026. Includes a chart on the status of licensure compacts in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Additional links: Licensure Compact Chart 2026
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Great Plains Telehealth Resource and Assistance Center
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Recovery Is Possible: Continuity of Care from Incarceration to Community, with Kelsea O'Leary
An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring Kelsea O'Leary, Behavioral Health Program Manager for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Focuses on strategies used to facilitate continuity of care for justice-involved tribal citizens in recovery as they transition to post-incarceration life. Part 3 in a 3-part series featuring the 2026 Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Innovation Tank finalists, with Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma's work winning second place.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring Kelsea O'Leary, Behavioral Health Program Manager for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Focuses on strategies used to facilitate continuity of care for justice-involved tribal citizens in recovery as they transition to post-incarceration life. Part 3 in a 3-part series featuring the 2026 Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Innovation Tank finalists, with Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma's work winning second place.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Can Schools Detect Mild Hearing Loss? Evaluating Screening Accuracy and Feasibility
Examines the feasibility of accurate screening for mild hearing loss in rural Alaska. Analyzes results of screening 318 children with two pure-tone hearing screening levels and discusses the importance of accurate and reliable screening methods in rural schools.
Author(s): Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Jasmine Stewart, Christina Reaves, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 207, 112849
Date: 08/2026
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Examines the feasibility of accurate screening for mild hearing loss in rural Alaska. Analyzes results of screening 318 children with two pure-tone hearing screening levels and discusses the importance of accurate and reliable screening methods in rural schools.
Author(s): Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Jasmine Stewart, Christina Reaves, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 207, 112849
Date: 08/2026
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Unequal Paths to Care: How Region, Rurality, and Deprivation Determine Transport to Verified Trauma Centers among the Critically Injured
Examines the relationship among rurality, area deprivation index (ADI), and trauma center transport of critically injured patients. Utilizes 2018-2022 National Emergency Medical Services Information System data from 36,897,269 critically injured patients and analyzes rural versus urban transport to a trauma center, region of the country, and ADI.
Author(s): Amani Sampson, Edward Helderop, Tokoya Williams, et al.
Citation: Surgery, 196, 110232
Date: 08/2026
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Examines the relationship among rurality, area deprivation index (ADI), and trauma center transport of critically injured patients. Utilizes 2018-2022 National Emergency Medical Services Information System data from 36,897,269 critically injured patients and analyzes rural versus urban transport to a trauma center, region of the country, and ADI.
Author(s): Amani Sampson, Edward Helderop, Tokoya Williams, et al.
Citation: Surgery, 196, 110232
Date: 08/2026
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Western Region Household Survey Report: Findings from the WR-Stat: Baseline Survey 2024
Reports on rural and urban demographics, economics, social environment, mental health, substance recovery, food security, and natural environment across the Western United States using 2024 data from the WR-Stat: Baseline Survey from 4,502 households. Includes state-by-state rural-urban comparison data.
Author(s): Ahsan Kibria, Nadeeka Weerasekara, Thomas Trotter, et al.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
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Reports on rural and urban demographics, economics, social environment, mental health, substance recovery, food security, and natural environment across the Western United States using 2024 data from the WR-Stat: Baseline Survey from 4,502 households. Includes state-by-state rural-urban comparison data.
Author(s): Ahsan Kibria, Nadeeka Weerasekara, Thomas Trotter, et al.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
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Virginia's Licensed Clinical Psychologist Workforce: 2026
An overview of the licensed clinical psychologist (LCP) workforce in Virginia based on data from the 2026 Licensed Clinical Psychologist Workforce Survey. Features statistics including the number of LCPs in rural Virginia and how many grew up in rural areas.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Virginia Department of Health Professions
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An overview of the licensed clinical psychologist (LCP) workforce in Virginia based on data from the 2026 Licensed Clinical Psychologist Workforce Survey. Features statistics including the number of LCPs in rural Virginia and how many grew up in rural areas.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Virginia Department of Health Professions
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Who Lives in Ambulance Deserts? Demographic and Geographic Differences in Accessing Ambulance Services
Presents data on ambulance deserts, or populated areas more than 25 minutes from an ambulance station, across 41 states, using a mix of state and federal data sources. Discusses how rurality and other factors such as U.S. region, age, and socioeconomic status are associated with living in an ambulance desert.
Author(s): Yvonne Jonk, Heidi O'Connor, Brianna Holston, Celia Jewell, Tyler DeAngelis
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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Presents data on ambulance deserts, or populated areas more than 25 minutes from an ambulance station, across 41 states, using a mix of state and federal data sources. Discusses how rurality and other factors such as U.S. region, age, and socioeconomic status are associated with living in an ambulance desert.
Author(s): Yvonne Jonk, Heidi O'Connor, Brianna Holston, Celia Jewell, Tyler DeAngelis
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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Older Medicare Beneficiaries' Use of Long Term Services and Supports, 2015-2021
Examines how the likelihood of living in nursing homes, lower intensity facilities, or community settings has varied over time among adults aged 65 and older, using 2015-2021 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey data. Compares trends by rural or urban dwelling and other demographic and clinical factors.
Author(s): Yvonne Jonk, Heidi O'Connor, Erika C. Ziller
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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Examines how the likelihood of living in nursing homes, lower intensity facilities, or community settings has varied over time among adults aged 65 and older, using 2015-2021 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey data. Compares trends by rural or urban dwelling and other demographic and clinical factors.
Author(s): Yvonne Jonk, Heidi O'Connor, Erika C. Ziller
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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