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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Exploring Maternal Mental Health Conditions and Urban-Rural Disparities in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy in South Carolina: A Fairlie Decomposition Approach
Examines the impact of maternal mental health on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) in rural and urban areas of South Carolina. Utilizes data from 270,000 mothers with HDP to analyze maternal mental health conditions according to rural versus urban location, demographic variables, quality of prenatal care, mother's health condition, and more.
Author(s): Manan Roy, Maggie Sugg, Jennifer Runkle
Citation: Maternal and Child Health Journal, 30, 452-463
Date: 03/2026
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One or Two Health Systems Controlled the Entire Market for Inpatient Hospital Care in Nearly Half of Metropolitan Areas in 2024
Examines the competitiveness of hospital markets in 2024 by analyzing RAND Hospital Data and American Hospital Association (AHA) survey data. Presents data on the share of metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) controlled by a small number of health systems, the level of market concentration in MSAs, and the share of hospitals affiliated with health systems over time. Compares the share of hospitals affiliated with health systems in rural and non-rural areas.
Author(s): Jamie Godwin, Zachary Levinson, Tricia Neuman
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Medicare Telehealth Trends Report
Describes the trends of telehealth utilization among Medicare beneficiaries between January 1, 2020, and September 30, 2025. Presents data on the percentage of Medicare beneficiaries that used a telehealth service by calendar quarter and by Medicaid eligibility, type of Medicare eligibility, demographic characteristics, and rural/urban residence.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Virginia's Dental Hygienist Workforce: 2025
An overview of the Virginia dental hygienist workforce based on data from the 2025 Dental Hygienist Workforce Survey. Features statistics on the number of dental hygienists working in rural Virginia as well as how many grew up in rural areas of Virginia.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Virginia Department of Health Professions
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Virginia's Dentistry Workforce: 2025
An overview of the dentistry workforce in Virginia based on data from the 2025 Dentistry Survey. Features statistics including the number of dentists in rural Virginia and how many grew up in rural areas.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Virginia Department of Health Professions
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Analysis of 340B Program Impact on Rural Hospitals
Examines the impact of the 340B program on rural hospitals and their patients. Provides data on rural versus urban payers and patient demographics, utilization of 340B drugs under Medicare Part B, financial metrics, and more.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Avalere Health, The National Grange
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Virginia's Radiologic Technologist Workforce: 2025
An overview of the radiologic technologist (RT) workforce in Virginia based on data from the 2025 Radiologic Technologist Workforce Survey. Features statistics including the number of RTs in rural Virginia and how many grew up in rural areas.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Virginia Department of Health Professions
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Virginia's Physician Assistant Workforce: 2025
An overview of the physician assistant (PA) workforce in Virginia based on data from the 2025 Physician Assistant Workforce Survey. Features statistics including the number of PAs in rural Virginia and how many grew up in rural areas.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Virginia Department of Health Professions
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Optimizing Mobile Mammography Deployment in Oklahoma 2024: A Two-Step Floating Catchment Area Approach
Examines how geographic and demographic access to fixed mammography centers varies among eligible women in Oklahoma, using 2024 FDA Mammography Facilities Database and 2022 Census block group data. Identifies priority areas for mobile mammography to address barriers and promote mammography. Includes data breakdowns by level of rurality, among other variables.
Author(s): Janis E. Campbell, Amanda Janitz, Ayesha B. Sambo, et al.
Citation: Geospatial Health, 21(1)
Date: 02/2026
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Virginia's Pharmacist Workforce: 2025
An overview of the pharmacist workforce in Virginia based on data from the 2025 Pharmacist Workforce Survey. Features statistics including the number of pharmacists in rural Virginia and how many grew up in rural areas.
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Virginia Department of Health Professions
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