Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Access to Acute Stroke Capabilities in California: Association with Rurality and Telestroke Access
Examines disparities in presentation to emergency departments (EDs) with or without acute stroke capability among patients with acute stroke by race and ethnicity, and variations in these associations by patient rurality and ED telestroke status, using 2021 NEDI-California and NEDI-USA survey data.
Author(s): Kori S. Zachrison, Renee Y. Hsia, Krislyn M. Boggs, et al.
Citation: Journal of Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases, 35(4), 108607
Date: 04/2026
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Examines disparities in presentation to emergency departments (EDs) with or without acute stroke capability among patients with acute stroke by race and ethnicity, and variations in these associations by patient rurality and ED telestroke status, using 2021 NEDI-California and NEDI-USA survey data.
Author(s): Kori S. Zachrison, Renee Y. Hsia, Krislyn M. Boggs, et al.
Citation: Journal of Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases, 35(4), 108607
Date: 04/2026
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Prenatal Vitamin D Levels and Postpartum Hemorrhage in a Rural Alaska Cohort
Examines the relationship between vitamin D levels during pregnancy and postpartum bleeding in a rural, Alaska Native/American Indian (AN/AI) population living in southwestern Alaska. Utilizes 2017-2019 data from 1,343 pregnancies to analyze levels of blood loss according to labor and delivery factors, obstetrics history, and pregnancy characteristics. Discusses strategies such as vitamin D supplementation and universal screening to address population health needs.
Author(s): Reinou S. Groen, Julie A. Beans, Gretchen Day, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 173(1), 403-410
Date: 04/2026
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Examines the relationship between vitamin D levels during pregnancy and postpartum bleeding in a rural, Alaska Native/American Indian (AN/AI) population living in southwestern Alaska. Utilizes 2017-2019 data from 1,343 pregnancies to analyze levels of blood loss according to labor and delivery factors, obstetrics history, and pregnancy characteristics. Discusses strategies such as vitamin D supplementation and universal screening to address population health needs.
Author(s): Reinou S. Groen, Julie A. Beans, Gretchen Day, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 173(1), 403-410
Date: 04/2026
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Can a Participant-Referred "Study Buddy" Increase Retention of Rural People Who Use Drugs in Research? A Multi-Site, Randomized Trial
Presents a study exploring the efficacy of an intervention aiming to increase retention of rural people who use drugs (PWUD) participating in randomized trials. Highlights an intervention involving participant recruitment of a support person, or "study buddy", to aid in the their continued participation in the study. Compares the efficacy of this intervention with standard retention practices.
Author(s): April M. Young, Kathryn E. Lancaster, Miriam R. Elman, et al.
Citation: Addiction, 121(4), 894-907
Date: 04/2026
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Presents a study exploring the efficacy of an intervention aiming to increase retention of rural people who use drugs (PWUD) participating in randomized trials. Highlights an intervention involving participant recruitment of a support person, or "study buddy", to aid in the their continued participation in the study. Compares the efficacy of this intervention with standard retention practices.
Author(s): April M. Young, Kathryn E. Lancaster, Miriam R. Elman, et al.
Citation: Addiction, 121(4), 894-907
Date: 04/2026
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HEARTLAND Protocol: A Tiered Clinical Implementation Toolkit for Primary Care-Led Heart Failure Management in Rural and Resource-Limited Settings
Presents a study on the efficacy of the HEARTLAND (Heart failure Evidence-based Access in Rural Treatment, Linking Advanced Network Delivery) protocol at managing heart failure (HF) in rural and low-resourced healthcare settings. Highlights the protocol's structure and the process by which it evaluates patient HF risk, establishes monitoring, and ensures continuity of care.
Author(s): Vicky Muller Ferreira
Citation: Cureus, 18(3), e104817
Date: 03/2026
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Presents a study on the efficacy of the HEARTLAND (Heart failure Evidence-based Access in Rural Treatment, Linking Advanced Network Delivery) protocol at managing heart failure (HF) in rural and low-resourced healthcare settings. Highlights the protocol's structure and the process by which it evaluates patient HF risk, establishes monitoring, and ensures continuity of care.
Author(s): Vicky Muller Ferreira
Citation: Cureus, 18(3), e104817
Date: 03/2026
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Access to Oral Health Care in California: Barriers and Opportunities
Issue brief summarizing the state of oral health care access in California and prior efforts to address this issue. Discusses geographic barriers for people in rural areas, and Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas in California.
Author(s): Miranda Davis, Elizabeth Mertz
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Healthforce Center at UCSF
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Issue brief summarizing the state of oral health care access in California and prior efforts to address this issue. Discusses geographic barriers for people in rural areas, and Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas in California.
Author(s): Miranda Davis, Elizabeth Mertz
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Healthforce Center at UCSF
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Dental Therapy in the United States as a Public Health Imperative: Perspectives from the Front Lines
Presents a study aiming to describe the role dental therapists play in expanding oral healthcare and provide evidence highlighting the safety and effectiveness of dental therapy for communities lacking access to traditional dental care. Details how dental therapists have been used in tribal and rural communities.
Author(s): Kari Ann Kuntzelman, Andrea Jordan, Elizabeth Branca, et al.
Citation: Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 86(S1), 72-75
Date: 03/2026
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Presents a study aiming to describe the role dental therapists play in expanding oral healthcare and provide evidence highlighting the safety and effectiveness of dental therapy for communities lacking access to traditional dental care. Details how dental therapists have been used in tribal and rural communities.
Author(s): Kari Ann Kuntzelman, Andrea Jordan, Elizabeth Branca, et al.
Citation: Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 86(S1), 72-75
Date: 03/2026
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Expanding Oral Health Access and Equity: The Impact of Federally Qualified Health Centers
Presents a literature review aiming to understand the role of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in providing access to oral healthcare. Highlights different delivery methods, such as telehealth, oral health integration, and school-based and mobile health center programs. Discusses access barriers, such as rurality, among other factors.
Author(s): Irene Hilton, Candace L. H. Owen, Rachel Johnston, et al.
Citation: Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 86(S1), 48-53
Date: 03/2026
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Presents a literature review aiming to understand the role of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in providing access to oral healthcare. Highlights different delivery methods, such as telehealth, oral health integration, and school-based and mobile health center programs. Discusses access barriers, such as rurality, among other factors.
Author(s): Irene Hilton, Candace L. H. Owen, Rachel Johnston, et al.
Citation: Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 86(S1), 48-53
Date: 03/2026
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Community Place Attachment as a Significant Correlate of Motivation to Change Substance Use Behavior among Adults who Inject Drugs in Rural U.S.
Explores the role of community place attachment (CPA) in motivating change in substance use behaviors (MCSUB) among 350 people who inject drugs in Appalachian Kentucky. Provides data on the relationship between CPA, MCSUB, and substance use treatment utilization, and discusses belongingness as an asset supporting SUD treatment in rural communities.
Author(s): Janet K. Otachi, Shawndaya S. Thrasher, Keith J. Watts, Juma S. Mwenda, Hilary L. Surratt
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 14, 1746203
Date: 03/2026
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Explores the role of community place attachment (CPA) in motivating change in substance use behaviors (MCSUB) among 350 people who inject drugs in Appalachian Kentucky. Provides data on the relationship between CPA, MCSUB, and substance use treatment utilization, and discusses belongingness as an asset supporting SUD treatment in rural communities.
Author(s): Janet K. Otachi, Shawndaya S. Thrasher, Keith J. Watts, Juma S. Mwenda, Hilary L. Surratt
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 14, 1746203
Date: 03/2026
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Telehealth Uptake and Rural-Urban and Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Postpartum Care Access Among Medicaid Beneficiaries in South Carolina, 2018–2022
Compares how postpartum care attendance and timeliness varied by race and ethnicity, rural or urban dwelling, and exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic, and how these associations varied by level of telehealth uptake, using 2019-2022 South Carolina Medicaid claims and enrollment data.
Author(s): Anirban Chatterjee, Xuzhuo Zhao, Jihong Liu, et al.
Citation: Medical Care, 64(5), 298-309
Date: 03/2026
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Compares how postpartum care attendance and timeliness varied by race and ethnicity, rural or urban dwelling, and exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic, and how these associations varied by level of telehealth uptake, using 2019-2022 South Carolina Medicaid claims and enrollment data.
Author(s): Anirban Chatterjee, Xuzhuo Zhao, Jihong Liu, et al.
Citation: Medical Care, 64(5), 298-309
Date: 03/2026
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An Assessment of the Long-Term Care Workforce Services in the State of Washington Part 1: A Quantitative Analysis
Report to the Washington State legislature on the workforce challenges facing long-term care in the state. Explores long-term care quality measures and nurse turnover throughout the state. Provides a breakdown of rural facility data. Report is split into 2 parts.
Additional links: Part 2
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Workforce Studies
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Report to the Washington State legislature on the workforce challenges facing long-term care in the state. Explores long-term care quality measures and nurse turnover throughout the state. Provides a breakdown of rural facility data. Report is split into 2 parts.
Additional links: Part 2
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Workforce Studies
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