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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Impact of COVID-19 on Clinical Trials Costs to Patients
Examines the direct and indirect costs of COVID-19 clinical trial participation to patients and the impact of utilizing remote technologies. Presents an environmental scan of articles published between 2010 and 2023 and discusses barriers to clinical trial participation experienced by underrepresented and rural populations.
Author(s): Keri Calkins, Emily Crabtree, Emily Harrison, Nyna Williams, Kirsten Barrett
Date: 06/2025
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Mathematica
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Differential Effects of a Social Work Staffing Intervention on Social Work Access Among Rural and Highly Rural Veterans: A Cohort Study
Presents a study on the efficacy of a VA program to expand access of social work services to rural veterans. Draws data from VA sites that participated in the program from October 2016 to September 2021. Compares social worker utilization by rural and urban veterans and breaks down data by age, race, and reason for visit, among other factors.
Author(s): Andrew N. Honken, Christopher W. Halladay, Lisa E. Wootton, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 59(S2), e14327
Date: 12/2024
Type: Document
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Medicare Advantage 2025 Spotlight: A First Look at Plan Offerings
Offers an overview of Medicare Advantage plan availability across the country for 2025. Discusses how many plans are available, who is offering plans, and costs. Offers data for metropolitan, micropolitan, and rural areas as well as county-level data.
Author(s): Meredith Freed, Jeannie Fuglesten Biniek, Anthony Damico, Tricia Neuman
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Minnesota Capacity of Nursing Facilities that Close
Discusses bed availability and capacity of nursing home facilities in rural Minnesota. Provides data on both open and closed nursing home facilities according to entirely rural, town/rural mix, urban/town/rural mix, or entirely urban location.
Author(s): Kelly Asche
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Policy and Development
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Telemedicine Use Among Adults With and Without Diagnosed Prediabetes or Diabetes, National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2021 and 2022
Examines telemedicine usage among adults with prediabetes, diabetes, or no diabetes diagnosis. Utilizes 2021-2022 National Health Interview Survey data to examine telemedicine usage and diabetes diagnoses according to sex, age, race/ethnicity, education, family income, health insurance, rural versus urban residence, and U.S. Census region.
Author(s): Ibrahim Zaganjor, Ryan Saelee, Stephen Onufrak, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 21
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
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Nirsevimab Effectiveness Against Medically Attended Respiratory Syncytial Virus Illness and Hospitalization Among Alaska Native Children — Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Region, Alaska, October 2023–June 2024
Reports on effectiveness of nirsevimab in preventing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) associated hospitalization for Alaska Native infants in their first RSV season and against medically attended illness for children in their first and second seasons in Alaska's Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Includes data by community type for the hub town with regional hospital and outlying villages.
Author(s): Brian Lefferts, Sara Bressler, James W. Keck, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 73(45), 1015-1021
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Bridging Gaps in Breast Cancer Screening: A Comparative Study of Mexican Women in U.S. Rural and Urban Areas
Examines factors influencing breast cancer screening disparities among 350 Mexican immigrant women aged 40+ in rural and urban communities. Compares rural and urban prevalence of barriers and facilitators to screening, including data on geographic and cultural factors.
Author(s): Venera Bekteshi, Mario Schootman
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 15
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
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Supply and Geographic Distribution of Geriatric Physicians and Geriatric Nurse Practitioners
Results of a study to explore trends in the supply of geriatric physicians (GMDs) and geriatric nurse practitioners (GNPs) from 2010 to 2020, and disparities between metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties. Features county-level maps showing geographic trends in older adults, GMDs, and GNPs among U.S. counties in 2010 and 2020, and statistics with breakdowns by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties.
Author(s): Ying Xue, Lusine Poghosyan, Qinyun Lin
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 7(11), e2444659
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
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Poverty Rates Highest for Rural Children under 5 Years Old in 2023
Bar chart comparing rural and urban 2023 rates of poverty for age groups ranging from under 5 to 75 or older. Notes potential reasons for disparate rates of poverty for rural and urban children under 5.
Date: 11/2024
Type: Chart/Graph
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Rural America at a Glance: 2024 Edition
Provides an overview of social and economic factors affecting rural America, with a focus on population migration, poverty, child care and elder care, broadband, and employment. Includes county-level maps as well as metro and nonmetro comparisons.
Author(s): Tracey Farrigan, Brandon Genetin, Austin Sanders, et al.
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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