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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services

Psychosocial Distress among Individuals Residing in a Rural PFAS-Contaminated Community
Examines how perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) impact the psychosocial distress of individuals in a rural Maine community affected by agricultural biosolid spreading and contaminated water. Analyzes level of PFAS in drinking water alongside participant characteristics, such as sociodemographics, mental health, coping mechanisms, and consequences of PFAS contamination.
Author(s): Elizabeth Scharnetzki, Lisa B Rokoff, Katherine Senechal, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 272, 114736
Date: 12/2025
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Texas Cares Rx Annual Program Report, 2025
Reports on fiscal year 2025 costs, initiatives, feedback, and future considerations for Texas Cares Rx, a prescription drug cost savings program for uninsured Texans. Pages 9-10 summarize stakeholder feedback on rural health needs, including discussion of rural healthcare access gaps and pharmacy deserts.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Texas Health and Human Services
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AACOM 2025 Osteopathic Medical Education Impact Report
Assesses how osteopathic colleges contribute to the physician workforce, focusing on geographic distribution and medical specialties of alumni. Evaluates the extent to which graduates serve rural and underserved areas, and fill specialty needs. Mentions rural throughout.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
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Openness to Mental Health Information and Barriers to Accessing Care Among Midwestern Farmers
Surveyed 1024 midwestern farmers to determine their preferred sources for receiving mental health information and the stigma, instrumental, and attitudinal barriers in accessing mental healthcare.
Author(s): Courtney Cuthbertson, Samantha Iwinski, Asa Billington, Josie Rudolphi
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(1), 27
Date: 12/2025
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Report to the 2026 Legislature: Annual Report on Findings from the Hawai'i Physician Workforce Assessment Project
Reports on Hawaii physician workforce characteristics and shortages by county and specialty. Summarizes activities to support the physician workforce, including recruitment, rural training, and mentoring programming. Offers data on shortages by specialty and by county, as well as physician supply and demand data.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Hawaii and Pacific Basin Area Health Education Centers
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Geospatial Analysis of Breast Cancer Incidence, Mortality, and Access to Screening in Rural and Appalachian Virginia
Assesses differences in breast cancer rates and mortality between Appalachian and non-Appalachian counties, and rural and nonrural counties in Virginia. Also explores whether availability of mammography is associated with differences. Features county-level Virginia maps, and statistics with breakdowns by Virginia counties, rural counties, and nonrural counties.
Author(s): Jennifer Osher, Caleb Brown, Phillip Nichols, Tariq Ayubi, Jeremy Powers
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 7(4), 55-69
Date: 12/2025
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Scoping Review of the Environmental and Human Health Effects of Rural Alaska Landfills
A scoping review that examines the public health impact of landfills in rural and tribal areas of Alaska. Analyzes landfill contaminants, exposures, and solid waste management on disease transmission, chemical exposure, and other health issues.
Author(s): Carlye Chaney, Anita Moore-Nall, Chad Albert, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(1), 45
Date: 12/2025
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Identifying the Unique Determinants Influencing Rural Families' Engagement with an Existing Tele-assessment Approach for Autism Identification: A Qualitative Study
Examines perceptions of tele-assessment for autism identification among caregivers of children with autism and community service providers in the rural Southeast. Identifies discussion themes and presents interview excerpts related to the validity, trustworthiness, feasibility, and privacy of tele-assessment for rural families.
Author(s): Liliana Wagner, Tori Foster, Kemberlee Bonnet, et al.
Citation: Autism, 29(6), 1458-1468
Date: 12/2025
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Development and Implementation of the Indian Health Service Expanded Function Dental Assistant-1 (EFDA-1) Occupation
Report describing the Expanded Function Dental Assistant-1 (EFDA-1) role within the Indian Health Service. Includes information about its implementation, its importance in rural and underserved areas, and its place in Washington's dental workforce and related career pathways.
Author(s): Natalia V. Oster, Grace A. Guenther, Paula M. Kett, Samantha W. Pollack, Susan M. Skillman
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: UW Center for Health Workforce Studies
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Report on the Mental Health Program for Veterans for Fiscal Year 2025
Reports on the Texas Health and Human Service Commission (HHSC) and Texas Veterans Commission's (TVC) programs to ensure access to behavioral health services for service members, veterans, and their family members (SMVF) during fiscal year 2025 in Texas. Highlights the needs of rural SMVF throughout, and discusses services provided by the Rural Veteran Counselor (RVC) program.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Texas Health and Human Services
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