Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Population health
Cancer in Rural America: Improving Access to Clinical Trials and Quality of Oncologic Care
Discusses the importance of rural populations accessing oncologic clinical trials to decrease cancer morbidity and mortality rates in rural areas. Provides rural versus urban patient data on distance from trial sites as well as prevalence of chronic disease. Suggests strategies and policies to improve access to clinical trials.
Author(s): Joseph M. Unger, Barbara L. McAneny, Raymond U. Osarogiagbon
Citation: CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 75(4), 341-361
Date: 07/2025
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Discusses the importance of rural populations accessing oncologic clinical trials to decrease cancer morbidity and mortality rates in rural areas. Provides rural versus urban patient data on distance from trial sites as well as prevalence of chronic disease. Suggests strategies and policies to improve access to clinical trials.
Author(s): Joseph M. Unger, Barbara L. McAneny, Raymond U. Osarogiagbon
Citation: CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 75(4), 341-361
Date: 07/2025
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Appalachian Diseases of Despair: Final Report
Analyzes the impact of diseases of despair on mortality within Appalachia, focusing on mortality from alcohol, prescription drug, and illegal drug overdose; suicide; and alcoholic liver disease/cirrhosis of the liver. Includes data through 2023, with demographics and breakdowns by subregion, county economic status, and levels of rurality.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Appalachian Regional Commission, East Tennessee State University Center for Rural Health Research, NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
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Analyzes the impact of diseases of despair on mortality within Appalachia, focusing on mortality from alcohol, prescription drug, and illegal drug overdose; suicide; and alcoholic liver disease/cirrhosis of the liver. Includes data through 2023, with demographics and breakdowns by subregion, county economic status, and levels of rurality.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Appalachian Regional Commission, East Tennessee State University Center for Rural Health Research, NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
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2024 Forces of Change Survey
Presents results from a 2024 survey of 667 local health departments (LHDs). Provides data on LHD staffing and budgets, governance, fellowship and training programs, public health nursing, evaluation capacity, and harm reduction activities. Includes data comparisons between rural and urban LHDs, and LHDs serving small, medium, and large populations.
Author(s): Krishna Patel, Gwen Davis, Kellie Perkins, Timothy C. McCall
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Association of County and City Health Officials
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Presents results from a 2024 survey of 667 local health departments (LHDs). Provides data on LHD staffing and budgets, governance, fellowship and training programs, public health nursing, evaluation capacity, and harm reduction activities. Includes data comparisons between rural and urban LHDs, and LHDs serving small, medium, and large populations.
Author(s): Krishna Patel, Gwen Davis, Kellie Perkins, Timothy C. McCall
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Association of County and City Health Officials
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Implementing a Tribally Engaged Lung Cancer Screening Pilot Program in Rural Oklahoma
Presents a study on the efficacy of a lung cancer screening program within a tribally operated health system in the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Bases findings on pre- and post-intervention surveys. Makes recommendation for program expansion and highlights key barriers and facilitators to implementation.
Author(s): Zsolt Nagykaldi, Mark Doescher, Dorothy A. Rhoades, et al.
Citation: Cancer Prevention Research, 18(7), 423-430
Date: 07/2025
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Presents a study on the efficacy of a lung cancer screening program within a tribally operated health system in the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Bases findings on pre- and post-intervention surveys. Makes recommendation for program expansion and highlights key barriers and facilitators to implementation.
Author(s): Zsolt Nagykaldi, Mark Doescher, Dorothy A. Rhoades, et al.
Citation: Cancer Prevention Research, 18(7), 423-430
Date: 07/2025
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Cost-Effectiveness of the Rural Lifestyle Eating and Activity Program (Rural LEAP)
Analyzes the cost-effectiveness of telephone-based coaching sessions after participation in a weight loss intervention, utilizing data from a trial conducted from 2013-2018 in rural Florida counties. Discusses the importance of delivering cost-effective treatment for obesity in rural areas.
Author(s): Tiffany A. Radcliff, Murray J. Côté, Meena N. Shankar, et al.
Citation: PLoS One, 20(7), e0326383
Date: 07/2025
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Analyzes the cost-effectiveness of telephone-based coaching sessions after participation in a weight loss intervention, utilizing data from a trial conducted from 2013-2018 in rural Florida counties. Discusses the importance of delivering cost-effective treatment for obesity in rural areas.
Author(s): Tiffany A. Radcliff, Murray J. Côté, Meena N. Shankar, et al.
Citation: PLoS One, 20(7), e0326383
Date: 07/2025
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Using Implementation Strategies to Promote the Maintenance Of Kids SIPsmartER In Rural Appalachian Middle Schools: A Process Evaluation
Examines implementation data from the Kids SIPsmartER nutrition behavioral intervention, which was implemented in 12 rural Appalachian middle schools. Utilizes data from 24 teachers and 11 principals to examine intervention fidelity, delivery, perceptions, and student impact. Discusses the importance of implementation evaluation and the scalability of evidence-based behavioral interventions (EBBIs) in schools.
Author(s): Kathleen J. Porter, Annie L. Reid, Theresa Markwalter, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 25, 2324
Date: 07/2025
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Examines implementation data from the Kids SIPsmartER nutrition behavioral intervention, which was implemented in 12 rural Appalachian middle schools. Utilizes data from 24 teachers and 11 principals to examine intervention fidelity, delivery, perceptions, and student impact. Discusses the importance of implementation evaluation and the scalability of evidence-based behavioral interventions (EBBIs) in schools.
Author(s): Kathleen J. Porter, Annie L. Reid, Theresa Markwalter, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 25, 2324
Date: 07/2025
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Partners in Progress: Pursuing Medical-Dental Integration in Ohio
Report explores dental health integration into primary care in Ohio and a way to expand oral healthcare access in the state. Discusses access issues in rural area, shortage areas, among Medicaid recipients, and details how integration can help close the gap.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
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Report explores dental health integration into primary care in Ohio and a way to expand oral healthcare access in the state. Discusses access issues in rural area, shortage areas, among Medicaid recipients, and details how integration can help close the gap.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
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Pennsylvania Rural Health Plan, 2025-2030
Highlights healthcare challenges in rural Pennsylvania, acknowledges strengths, and promotes recommendations to address disparities. Features demographics and sections on social determinants of health, agricultural safety and farmworker health, aging, disabilities, homelessness, veterans, Pennsylvania's healthcare delivery system, broadband access, and telehealth.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Rural Health Association
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Highlights healthcare challenges in rural Pennsylvania, acknowledges strengths, and promotes recommendations to address disparities. Features demographics and sections on social determinants of health, agricultural safety and farmworker health, aging, disabilities, homelessness, veterans, Pennsylvania's healthcare delivery system, broadband access, and telehealth.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Rural Health Association
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Promoting Intergenerational Health in Rural Kentuckians With Diabetes (PIHRK'D): Protocol for a Longitudinal Cohort Study
Study protocol analyzing whether family participation influences the effectiveness of a nutritional education intervention for rural Kentuckians with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Author(s): Brittany L. Smalls, Courtney L. Ortz, Makenzie Barr-Porter, et al.
Citation: JMIR Research Protocols, 14, e69301
Date: 07/2025
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Study protocol analyzing whether family participation influences the effectiveness of a nutritional education intervention for rural Kentuckians with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Author(s): Brittany L. Smalls, Courtney L. Ortz, Makenzie Barr-Porter, et al.
Citation: JMIR Research Protocols, 14, e69301
Date: 07/2025
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AAAs' Partnership With School of Medicine Expands Dementia Caregiving Services
Case study highlighting the implementation of a program promoting wellness for unpaid caregivers in Indiana, including in rural areas. Discusses collaboration between Area Agencies on Aging and community and state partners.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: USAging
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Case study highlighting the implementation of a program promoting wellness for unpaid caregivers in Indiana, including in rural areas. Discusses collaboration between Area Agencies on Aging and community and state partners.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: USAging
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