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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Population health

Compounding Hazards Posed by Wildfires, Flooding, and Resource Extraction: Assessing Multimedia Metal(loid) Exposures and Risk in Rural, Southwestern U.S. Populations
Examines the impact of weather events, resource extraction, and dust exposure on cancer risk in rural communities in Arizona. Utilizes a community-based study and data from multiple sampling sites to analyze child and adult exposure to hazardous elements.
Author(s): Zain Alabdain Alqattan, God'sgift N. Chukwuonye, Camille Tinerella, Miriam Jones, Mónica D. Ramírez-Andreotta
Citation: Environment International, 207, 110034
Date: 01/2026
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Examining Rural Community Pharmacists' Knowledge and Practices in Opioid Overdose Prevention and Treatment Services in the Southeastern United States
Highlights a study on the knowledge and practices of rural pharmacists around opioid use disorder-related education and counseling in the Southeastern U.S. Presents data by pharmacist demographic characteristics, knowledge, and experience with medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD).
Author(s): Stefanie P. Ferreri, Paige Q. Ngo, Kaileigh D. Yen, Kevin Wang, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 23(11)
Date: 01/2026
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Use of Preventive Services by Rurality, Disability Status, and Health Insurance
Examines rates of use of routine physicals and flu vaccination by rural or urban location, disability status, and health insurance type. Uses data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey.
Author(s): Alexis Swendener, Katie Rydberg, Lisa I. Iezzoni, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome Cases in New Mexico by County, 2026
Map featuring data on the number of individuals affected by Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome by county in New Mexico.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: New Mexico Department of Health
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An Overview of Public Health Services Among Local Health Departments in Rural Versus Urban Jurisdictions
Examines the services provided by rural and urban public health departments. Utilizes 2022 National Profile of Local Health Departments data to examine rural versus urban local health department (LHD) clinical programs and services, population health programs and services, and workforce infrastructure and capacity.
Author(s): Gwen Davis, Margaret Cunningham, Kellie Perkins, Krishna Patel, Timothy McCall
Citation: Journal of Public Health Management & Practice
Date: 01/2026
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Persistent Poverty and Breast Cancer Incidence by Tumor Subtype: Intersections of Rural/Urban Residence and Race Within USA Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results Registries, 2017 to 2021
Examines the relationship between breast cancer types and persistent poverty across rurality and demographic variables. Utilizes county-level 2017-2021 (excluding 2020) Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data to analyze breast cancer subtype rates, with breakdowns according to counties defined as persistent poverty or non-persistent poverty and by rural versus urban. Discusses the impact of sociodemographics on cancer disparities.
Author(s): Heather R. Sherr, Amr S. Soliman, Kimberly A. Bertrand, Kelly A. Hirko
Citation: Cancer Causes & Control, 37(26)
Date: 01/2026
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The Power of Familiar Voices: Building HPV Vaccine Trust in Rural Communities
Discusses the role of trust among rural community members, healthcare professionals, and other community leaders in promoting HPV vaccination. Discusses churches, other faith-based settings, and other trusted institutions as sites for collaborations to increase vaccine uptake and address rural cancer disparities.
Author(s): Gabriel Benavidez
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
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Indian Health Service and Health Care Affordability Issues Among American Indian/ Alaska Native People by Rurality
Report explores healthcare affordability and Indian Health Services (IHS) utilization among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) in rural and urban communities. Highlights rates of patients receiving care at IHS, privately insured, and uninsured in rural and urban communities, among other measures.
Author(s): Ingrid Jacobson, Katie Rydberg, Alexis Swendener, et al.
Date: 01/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Exploring the Use of Telemedicine to Expand Addiction and Recovery Resources in Great Plains Tribal Communities
Explores the use of telemedicine to provide medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) to patients in tribal communities. Explores the barriers and facilitators to implementing telemedicine-based MOUD services across the Great Plains Area of the Indian Health Service.
Author(s): Michael C. Harding, Anna C. Kihlstrom, Allison Kelliher, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(1), e70113
Date: 01/2026
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Prevalence of Meeting Youth Physical Activity Guidelines Across Income, Sex, Urbanicity, and Sport Participation: 2022–2023 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH)
Examines the prevalence of youth meeting physical activity guidelines by income, sex, rurality, and sports participation. Draws data from the National Survey of Children's Health from 2022-2023.
Author(s): Ashleigh Johnson
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(1), e70105
Date: 01/2026
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