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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Population health

Compendium of Rural Oral Health Best Practices - 2025
Highlights examples of the best practices in rural oral healthcare across the country. Presents a number of models regarding workforce development and training, integration of care, telehealth, clinical care, and policy.
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organizations: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, National Rural Health Association
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Fluoride Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors: Adults in Rural Alabama
Highlights a study on rural adults knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding fluoride use in water and toothpaste as method of cavity prevention. Bases findings on a survey of 291 adults in Green Hill, Alabama.
Author(s): Alex Harper, Steven M. Levy, Wei Shi
Citation: Journal of Primary Care and Community Health, 16
Date: 06/2025
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Promoting Health through Transdisciplinary Local Food System Partnerships: Insights from the North Carolina Local Food Council
Discusses the impact of the North Carolina Local Food Council (NCLFC) Community Health Working Group and their efforts to strengthen statewide and local food systems. Focuses on the North Carolina Medicaid 1115 Waiver Healthy Opportunities Pilots (HOPs) case study that aimed to integrate local food into health systems and healthcare initiatives. Includes information about partnerships, collaborations, pilot structure, and network leads in specific North Carolina regions.
Author(s): Amanda S. Hege, Morgan Cooper, K. Alexander Soltany, et al.
Citation: Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 14(3), 415-431
Date: 06/2025
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Social Determinants of Health and Rehabilitation Service Areas: An Urban and Rural Mediation Analysis
Analyzes associations between social determinants of health (SDOH) and community discharge rate disparities in rural and urban communities, utilizing AHRQ Social Determinants of Health Database data alongside other ZCTA-level datasets. Identifies key factors for addressing disparities in post-acute rehabilitation services.
Author(s): Sanghun Nam, Susanne Schmidt, Julianna M. Dean, Alex F. Bokov, Timothy A. Reistetter
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 13, 1562610
Date: 06/2025
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Integrating Mental Health Support into Rural Libraries: Evaluation of the Libraries for Health (L4H) Initiative
Presents findings from an evaluation of the implementation of Libraries for Health (L4H), a pilot project embedding nonclinical adult mental health supports into ten libraries in rural Texas. Summarizes how libraries implemented L4H, barriers and facilitators of implementation, and efforts to to build and sustain the program and sustain their capacity to address patrons' mental health needs.
Additional links: Research Summary
Author(s): Lynsay Ayer, Karen Christianson, Ivy Todd, et al.
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
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Food Insecurity and Barriers to Supplemental Food Provision in the Mississippi Delta: A Qualitative Analysis
Examines the impact of supplemental food provisions (SFPs) in the predominately rural Mississippi Delta. Utilizes interview feedback from 29 SFP personnel to discuss SFP barriers, sustainability, and health initiatives.
Author(s): Sophie C. Hathaway
Citation: Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 14(3), 293-304
Date: 06/2025
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Interventions to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening Uptake in Rural Settings: A Scoping Review
Scoping review examining 36 studies on interventions to increase colorectal cancer (CRC) screening uptake in rural communities. Highlights approaches and strategies of effective interventions and discusses the need for continued research on tailored interventions for underserved communities.
Author(s): Christine M. Kava, Judith Lee Smith, Emily K. Kobernik, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22, 250025
Date: 06/2025
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Self-Reported Reasons Preventing US Adults From Walking to Places Within 10 Minutes of Home
Examines environmental, access, and individual reasons given for not walking to places near home, utilizing 2022 SummerStyles survey data of 3,967 adults. Breaks down self-identified reasons for not walking by geographic and demographic characteristics, including rurality. Discusses the value of walkability for physical fitness and community accessibility.
Author(s): Hatidza Zaganjor, Tiffany J. Chen, Miriam E. Van Dyke, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22, 240394
Date: 06/2025
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Rural Health Disparities: Contemporary Solutions for Persistent Rural Public Health Challenges
Special issue of Preventing Chronic Disease featuring articles that examine rural health disparities and discuss rural public health strategies to address cancer, diabetes, and other chronic conditions, and to promote physical activity.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease
Date: 06/2025
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Natural Disasters and Resiliency in Central Appalachia
Discusses issues such as natural disasters, flooding, resource extraction, infrastructure, housing stock, and more in central and rural Appalachia. Focuses on investment and strategies to improve resilience.
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: Housing Assistance Council
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