Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences
Health Outcomes in Rural America: A Prevention-to-Crisis View on Determinants of Health, Chronic Diseases, and Economic Consequences
Presents findings from a June 2026 symposium discussing factors behind health disparities in rural areas, the connection between health and economic opportunity, and possible avenues for improving healthcare outcomes for rural residents.
Author(s): Anthony F. Pipa, Brent Orrell, Adam Aley, Madeline Tong
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Brookings-AEI Commission on U.S. Rural Prosperity, The Brookings Institution
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Presents findings from a June 2026 symposium discussing factors behind health disparities in rural areas, the connection between health and economic opportunity, and possible avenues for improving healthcare outcomes for rural residents.
Author(s): Anthony F. Pipa, Brent Orrell, Adam Aley, Madeline Tong
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Brookings-AEI Commission on U.S. Rural Prosperity, The Brookings Institution
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Spatial and Temporal Trends of Access to Birthing Hospitals in Illinois, 2016–2021
Explores changes in travel time to obstetric care between 2016 and 2021 in Illinois at the census tract level, using Illinois Department of Public Health and American Community Survey data. Provides data on access to care by rural or urban dwelling, among other demographic comparisons.
Author(s): Mechelle D. Claridy, Barbara Chebet Keino, Lauren M. Ramsey, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23
Date: 08/2026
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Explores changes in travel time to obstetric care between 2016 and 2021 in Illinois at the census tract level, using Illinois Department of Public Health and American Community Survey data. Provides data on access to care by rural or urban dwelling, among other demographic comparisons.
Author(s): Mechelle D. Claridy, Barbara Chebet Keino, Lauren M. Ramsey, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23
Date: 08/2026
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Associations Between Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Rurality With New Diagnoses of Atrial Fibrillation
Examines how new diagnoses of atrial fibrillation vary by socioeconomic status and rurality, using 2021-2022 data of 369,619 patients at a Midwestern health system.
Author(s): Jonathan A. Handler, J. Rebecca Mills, Dale L. Smith, et al.
Citation: Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 37(3), 1070-1088
Date: 08/2026
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Examines how new diagnoses of atrial fibrillation vary by socioeconomic status and rurality, using 2021-2022 data of 369,619 patients at a Midwestern health system.
Author(s): Jonathan A. Handler, J. Rebecca Mills, Dale L. Smith, et al.
Citation: Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 37(3), 1070-1088
Date: 08/2026
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UCR Summary of Reported Crimes in the Nation, 2025
Reports data showing crime rates in 2025 for violent crime, property crime, and hate crimes. Includes analysis of crime trends over 20 years and law enforcement officers killed and assaulted. Includes comparisons of the crime rate change between 2024 and 2025 for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties, suburban areas, and city agencies by population size in tables 4 and 5.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Justice
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Reports data showing crime rates in 2025 for violent crime, property crime, and hate crimes. Includes analysis of crime trends over 20 years and law enforcement officers killed and assaulted. Includes comparisons of the crime rate change between 2024 and 2025 for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties, suburban areas, and city agencies by population size in tables 4 and 5.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Justice
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Effect of Vintage 2025 Population Controls on 2024 Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance in the United States Estimates
Offers data tables showing changes to 2024 income, poverty, and health insurance measures from the Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement following updated methodology. Compares estimates using the 2024 and 2025 vintage. Includes comparison of metropolitan statistical areas and areas outside metropolitan statistical areas for income and poverty.
Author(s): Liana E. Fox, Eric Jensen
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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Offers data tables showing changes to 2024 income, poverty, and health insurance measures from the Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement following updated methodology. Compares estimates using the 2024 and 2025 vintage. Includes comparison of metropolitan statistical areas and areas outside metropolitan statistical areas for income and poverty.
Author(s): Liana E. Fox, Eric Jensen
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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Mapping Rural–Urban Disparities in Otolaryngology Access: A Statewide Analysis of Georgia's ENT Workforce
Examines how the supply, distribution, and training characteristics of otolaryngologists in Georgia vary by rural or urban county using Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Georgia Composite Medical Board, and American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery data. Includes data on rural and urban travel burden, subspecialty availability, and more.
Author(s): Shervin Eskandari, William E. Long, Benjamin Aderinwale, et al.
Citation: OTO Open, 10(3), e70286
Date: 08/2026
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Examines how the supply, distribution, and training characteristics of otolaryngologists in Georgia vary by rural or urban county using Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Georgia Composite Medical Board, and American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery data. Includes data on rural and urban travel burden, subspecialty availability, and more.
Author(s): Shervin Eskandari, William E. Long, Benjamin Aderinwale, et al.
Citation: OTO Open, 10(3), e70286
Date: 08/2026
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2026 Section 706 Report
Reports on broadband deployment in the U.S., with information specific to broadband access in rural and tribal communities and the U.S. territories. Includes rural broadband deployment data by state and county.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Federal Communications Commission
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Reports on broadband deployment in the U.S., with information specific to broadband access in rural and tribal communities and the U.S. territories. Includes rural broadband deployment data by state and county.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Federal Communications Commission
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Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the U.S. 2026
Reports on maternal healthcare access and provides data on maternity care deserts, distribution of OB providers, and travel time to maternity care, including color-coded, county-level maps. Includes rural versus urban data comparisons of maternal health workforce availability, travel distance to care, and labor and delivery unit closures, and discusses efforts to address rural shortages, including the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: March of Dimes
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Reports on maternal healthcare access and provides data on maternity care deserts, distribution of OB providers, and travel time to maternity care, including color-coded, county-level maps. Includes rural versus urban data comparisons of maternal health workforce availability, travel distance to care, and labor and delivery unit closures, and discusses efforts to address rural shortages, including the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: March of Dimes
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Precision Oncology for Solid Tumor Malignancies in the Rural United States: A Scoping Review
Scoping review examining literature published between 2014 and 2026 on precision oncology service delivery, access, research, and health policy in the rural United States. Discusses topics related to rural and urban disparities, patient and provider perceptions, and implementation.
Author(s): Dena P. Rhinehart, Madelyn F. Klugman, Shuait Nair, et al.
Citation: JCO Oncology Advances, 3(3), e2600045
Date: 08/2026
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Scoping review examining literature published between 2014 and 2026 on precision oncology service delivery, access, research, and health policy in the rural United States. Discusses topics related to rural and urban disparities, patient and provider perceptions, and implementation.
Author(s): Dena P. Rhinehart, Madelyn F. Klugman, Shuait Nair, et al.
Citation: JCO Oncology Advances, 3(3), e2600045
Date: 08/2026
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The Role of Rurality on Self-Reported Sleep and Cognition in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Preliminary Study
Presents a study aiming to understand the way rurality impacts the relationship between sleep and cognition in aging adults. Breaks down participants' self-reported sleep, objective cognition, working memory, and executive function, among other measures, and compares rates of individuals from rural and non-rural areas.
Author(s): Madison Musich, Amy N. Costa, Puja Halder, et al.
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 26(3), 10695
Date: 08/2026
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Presents a study aiming to understand the way rurality impacts the relationship between sleep and cognition in aging adults. Breaks down participants' self-reported sleep, objective cognition, working memory, and executive function, among other measures, and compares rates of individuals from rural and non-rural areas.
Author(s): Madison Musich, Amy N. Costa, Puja Halder, et al.
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 26(3), 10695
Date: 08/2026
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