Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Population health
Adults' Leisure-Time Physical Activity Preferences and Association with Physical Activity Guidelines by Metropolitan Status, United States, 2019
Compares preferences in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and likelihood of meeting physical activity guidelines among adults by level of rurality, using 2019 BRFSS data. Discusses how rural-urban differences in LTPA can contribute to rural physical activity interventions.
Author(s): Christiaan G. Abildso, Eugene C. Fitzhugh, Alan M. Beck, et al.
Citation: PLOS One, 21(4), e0345026
Date: 04/2026
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Compares preferences in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and likelihood of meeting physical activity guidelines among adults by level of rurality, using 2019 BRFSS data. Discusses how rural-urban differences in LTPA can contribute to rural physical activity interventions.
Author(s): Christiaan G. Abildso, Eugene C. Fitzhugh, Alan M. Beck, et al.
Citation: PLOS One, 21(4), e0345026
Date: 04/2026
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Rural-Urban Trends in Pediatric Emergency Department Visits for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions from 2016-2019
Examines trends in pediatric emergency department visits for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs), including gastroenteritis, urinary tract infection, asthma, and diabetes, and discusses the role of primary care access in reducing ACSC-related hospitalizations. Provides data breakdowns by level of rurality and year, race and ethnicity, and health condition using 2016-2019 State Emergency Department Databases (SEDD) data.
Author(s): Marvellous Akinlotan, Nima Khodakarami, Alva O. Ferdinand
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
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Examines trends in pediatric emergency department visits for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs), including gastroenteritis, urinary tract infection, asthma, and diabetes, and discusses the role of primary care access in reducing ACSC-related hospitalizations. Provides data breakdowns by level of rurality and year, race and ethnicity, and health condition using 2016-2019 State Emergency Department Databases (SEDD) data.
Author(s): Marvellous Akinlotan, Nima Khodakarami, Alva O. Ferdinand
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
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A Chartbook on the Characteristics and Needs of Frontier Critical Access Hospitals
Summarizes findings from a 2025 national survey of executives from 117 Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in frontier counties. Includes data on the distribution and characteristics of frontier CAHs. Identifies themes related to financial and operational challenges, service availability, and access to care in frontier settings.
Author(s): John A. Gale, Rebecca Stearns, Zachariah Croll, Jayne Foley
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Summarizes findings from a 2025 national survey of executives from 117 Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in frontier counties. Includes data on the distribution and characteristics of frontier CAHs. Identifies themes related to financial and operational challenges, service availability, and access to care in frontier settings.
Author(s): John A. Gale, Rebecca Stearns, Zachariah Croll, Jayne Foley
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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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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Rural/Urban Differences among American Indian/Alaska Native Peoples in Health Care Access and Outcomes, 2019–2023
Compares health outcomes and healthcare utilization metrics for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) rural and urban residents using 2019-2023 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data. Discusses the impact of various sociodemographic factors and the Indian Health Service (IHS) on study findings.
Author(s): Katy Backes Kozhimannil, Hailey A. Baker, Julia D. Interrante, Kyle X. Hill, Melissa L. Walls
Citation: Journal of Community Health, 51, 232-239
Date: 04/2026
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Compares health outcomes and healthcare utilization metrics for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) rural and urban residents using 2019-2023 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data. Discusses the impact of various sociodemographic factors and the Indian Health Service (IHS) on study findings.
Author(s): Katy Backes Kozhimannil, Hailey A. Baker, Julia D. Interrante, Kyle X. Hill, Melissa L. Walls
Citation: Journal of Community Health, 51, 232-239
Date: 04/2026
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Disparities in Lung Cancer Health Outcomes and Access to Lung Cancer Screening Between Rural and Urban Areas in the U.S
Narrative review examining rural and urban differences in lung cancer health outcomes, screening access, and other contextual factors influencing lung cancer disparities. Provides recommendations for effective lung cancer treatment and policy development supporting rural health.
Author(s): Aishani Gargapati, James Fox, Erminia Massarelli
Citation: Cancers, 18(5), 864
Date: 03/2026
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Narrative review examining rural and urban differences in lung cancer health outcomes, screening access, and other contextual factors influencing lung cancer disparities. Provides recommendations for effective lung cancer treatment and policy development supporting rural health.
Author(s): Aishani Gargapati, James Fox, Erminia Massarelli
Citation: Cancers, 18(5), 864
Date: 03/2026
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Implementation of Change Club Action Plans to Promote Built Environment Change in Rural Communities
Examines implementation of policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) strategies to improve public health infrastructure in rural areas. Analyzes implementation of the Cooperative Extension-led Change Club (CC) community project in rural areas of Texas and New York which focuses on improving PSE interventions and built environments.
Author(s): Meredith L. Graham, Emma C. Lewis, Deyaun L. Villarreal, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 23, 49
Date: 03/2026
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Examines implementation of policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) strategies to improve public health infrastructure in rural areas. Analyzes implementation of the Cooperative Extension-led Change Club (CC) community project in rural areas of Texas and New York which focuses on improving PSE interventions and built environments.
Author(s): Meredith L. Graham, Emma C. Lewis, Deyaun L. Villarreal, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 23, 49
Date: 03/2026
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Heart Failure Readmissions in Urban and Rural Hospital Settings: An Analysis of 30-Day Readmissions Using the 2021 Nationwide Readmissions Database
Analyzes how 30-day hospital readmission for heart failure varies by rural or urban dwelling using 2021 National Readmissions Database data. Includes data breakdowns by payment type, patient demographics, related health conditions, and other clinical factors.
Author(s): Kendra J. Duran, Janice L. Hinkle, Linda C. Copel
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70138
Date: 03/2026
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Analyzes how 30-day hospital readmission for heart failure varies by rural or urban dwelling using 2021 National Readmissions Database data. Includes data breakdowns by payment type, patient demographics, related health conditions, and other clinical factors.
Author(s): Kendra J. Duran, Janice L. Hinkle, Linda C. Copel
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70138
Date: 03/2026
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Resolving Wastewater Treatment Challenges in Small Communities
Manual providing guidance on wastewater challenges and wastewater system evaluation, planning, and implementation in small and rural communities.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Community Assistance Partnership
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Manual providing guidance on wastewater challenges and wastewater system evaluation, planning, and implementation in small and rural communities.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Community Assistance Partnership
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Reaching Rural Veterans: Applying Mind-Body Skills for Pain Using a Whole Health Telehealth Intervention: The RAMP Pilot Study
Explores the efficacy of a pilot program which uses telehealth to provide non-pharmacological pain management to rural veterans. Evaluates the amount of pre-specified milestones for recruitment and enrollment, patient satisfaction, and data collection, among other measures, met by the pilot program.
Author(s): Katherine Hadlandsmyth, Roni Evans, Brent D. Leininger, et al.
Citation: Contemporary Clinical Trials, 162, 108254
Date: 03/2026
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Explores the efficacy of a pilot program which uses telehealth to provide non-pharmacological pain management to rural veterans. Evaluates the amount of pre-specified milestones for recruitment and enrollment, patient satisfaction, and data collection, among other measures, met by the pilot program.
Author(s): Katherine Hadlandsmyth, Roni Evans, Brent D. Leininger, et al.
Citation: Contemporary Clinical Trials, 162, 108254
Date: 03/2026
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