Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences
Depressive Symptoms Among Rural Americans
Analyzes characteristics of individuals with depression in rural areas. Utilizes 2024 National Health Interview Survey data and examines metro versus nonmetro demographic profile of individuals with depression as well as their health-related behaviors, physical limitations, and functional impairments.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
view details
Analyzes characteristics of individuals with depression in rural areas. Utilizes 2024 National Health Interview Survey data and examines metro versus nonmetro demographic profile of individuals with depression as well as their health-related behaviors, physical limitations, and functional impairments.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
view details
Geographic Disparities in Access to Outpatient Stroke Rehabilitation in Texas
Examines rural-urban disparities in access to and use of outpatient stroke rehabilitation services in Texas, utilizing 2016-2019 Medicare claims data in addition to a survey of Texas clinics.
Author(s): Joseph Wozny, Melissa Howard, Susan Doherty, et al.
Citation: PLOS ONE, 20(8), e0328267.
Date: 08/2025
view details
Examines rural-urban disparities in access to and use of outpatient stroke rehabilitation services in Texas, utilizing 2016-2019 Medicare claims data in addition to a survey of Texas clinics.
Author(s): Joseph Wozny, Melissa Howard, Susan Doherty, et al.
Citation: PLOS ONE, 20(8), e0328267.
Date: 08/2025
view details
Rural and Urban Differences in Prostate Cancer Recurrence
Examines rates of prostate cancer recurrence among 778 rural and urban men, utilizing data from the North Carolina Prostate Cancer Comparative Effectiveness Survivor Study. Analyzes the association of rurality and other demographic and clinical factors with recurrence.
Author(s): Julia B. Balmaceda, Aaron J. Katz, Katelyn Kane, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(8), e2526912
Date: 08/2025
view details
Examines rates of prostate cancer recurrence among 778 rural and urban men, utilizing data from the North Carolina Prostate Cancer Comparative Effectiveness Survivor Study. Analyzes the association of rurality and other demographic and clinical factors with recurrence.
Author(s): Julia B. Balmaceda, Aaron J. Katz, Katelyn Kane, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(8), e2526912
Date: 08/2025
view details
Traffic Safety Facts, 2023 Data: A Compilation of Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Data
Presents descriptive statistics about traffic crashes of all severities, from those that result in property damage to those that result in the loss of human life. Features statistics including rural fatal crashes by average emergency medical services response times, vehicles involved in fatal crashes by speed limit, roadway function class, crash type, and hazardous cargo, and vehicle occupants killed in crashes, with breakdowns by state and by rural or urban location.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
view details
Presents descriptive statistics about traffic crashes of all severities, from those that result in property damage to those that result in the loss of human life. Features statistics including rural fatal crashes by average emergency medical services response times, vehicles involved in fatal crashes by speed limit, roadway function class, crash type, and hazardous cargo, and vehicle occupants killed in crashes, with breakdowns by state and by rural or urban location.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
view details
A Comprehensive Mixed-Methods Analysis of Women's Cardiovascular Health Needs in Georgia, United States
Examines cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women living in rural Georgia, with a focus on barriers to care and strategies to improve health outcomes. Analyzes environmental factors in rural and urban counties in Georgia as well qualitative data from 56 women and 11 healthcare providers. Includes data on health indicators/behaviors in rural versus urban counties.
Author(s): Marlo Vernon, Brianna McIndoe, Michael J. Ryan, et al.
Citation: Biology of Sex Differences, 16, 62
Date: 08/2025
view details
Examines cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women living in rural Georgia, with a focus on barriers to care and strategies to improve health outcomes. Analyzes environmental factors in rural and urban counties in Georgia as well qualitative data from 56 women and 11 healthcare providers. Includes data on health indicators/behaviors in rural versus urban counties.
Author(s): Marlo Vernon, Brianna McIndoe, Michael J. Ryan, et al.
Citation: Biology of Sex Differences, 16, 62
Date: 08/2025
view details
NSDUH (National Survey on Drug Use and Health) Detailed Tables - 2024
Explores 2024 survey data on use of prescription and illicit drugs, alcohol, tobacco and nicotine products, trends in substance use disorder (SUD) and mental illness, and access to treatment for youth and adults. Features statistics for a variety of demographic and geographic characteristics, including rural versus urban status.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
view details
Explores 2024 survey data on use of prescription and illicit drugs, alcohol, tobacco and nicotine products, trends in substance use disorder (SUD) and mental illness, and access to treatment for youth and adults. Features statistics for a variety of demographic and geographic characteristics, including rural versus urban status.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
view details
Baseline Estimates of Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Adults Aged 45 to 75 Years, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2022
Examines colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates for adults aged 45 to 75. Utilizes 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey data to analyze CRC screening status according to respondent demographics, income, access to healthcare and health plans, and metro versus nonmetro location.
Author(s): Sallyann Coleman King, Jessica King, Cheryll C. Thomas, Lisa C. Richardson
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 08/2025
view details
Examines colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates for adults aged 45 to 75. Utilizes 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey data to analyze CRC screening status according to respondent demographics, income, access to healthcare and health plans, and metro versus nonmetro location.
Author(s): Sallyann Coleman King, Jessica King, Cheryll C. Thomas, Lisa C. Richardson
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 08/2025
view details
U.S. Obesity Rate Changes Differ for Rural and Urban Areas, as Well as Across Regions
Reports on rural versus urban and regional differences in obesity prevalence among U.S. adults between 2019 and 2024. Identifies changes in obesity prevalence over time and discusses the geographic factors influencing obesity prevalence.
Author(s): Mariah Ehmke, Brandon J. Restrepo
Citation: Amber Waves
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
view details
Reports on rural versus urban and regional differences in obesity prevalence among U.S. adults between 2019 and 2024. Identifies changes in obesity prevalence over time and discusses the geographic factors influencing obesity prevalence.
Author(s): Mariah Ehmke, Brandon J. Restrepo
Citation: Amber Waves
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
view details
Health-Related Internet Use among Adults In The Midwest, Metro and Nonmetro Geographies
Examines trends in health-related internet use in Midwestern adults. Utilizes data from 1,220 adult survey respondents and provides metro versus nonmetro data breakdowns on drive to seek online health information, internet searching literacy, device use, utilization of health-related social media and videos, and more. Discusses differences in rural and urban populations' abilities to utilize the internet for health needs.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
view details
Examines trends in health-related internet use in Midwestern adults. Utilizes data from 1,220 adult survey respondents and provides metro versus nonmetro data breakdowns on drive to seek online health information, internet searching literacy, device use, utilization of health-related social media and videos, and more. Discusses differences in rural and urban populations' abilities to utilize the internet for health needs.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
view details
Rural–Urban Differences in Health Care Access for Postpartum Parent and Infant Dyads
Details a study on differences in perinatal health among postpartum parents and infants in rural and urban areas. Bases findings on National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data and breaks down data by demographic characteristics, perceived barriers, and perceived health along rural and urban locations.
Author(s): Sara C. Handley, Julia D. Interrante, Emily F. Gregory, Katy B. Kozhimannil
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(3), e70062
Date: 08/2025
view details
Details a study on differences in perinatal health among postpartum parents and infants in rural and urban areas. Bases findings on National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data and breaks down data by demographic characteristics, perceived barriers, and perceived health along rural and urban locations.
Author(s): Sara C. Handley, Julia D. Interrante, Emily F. Gregory, Katy B. Kozhimannil
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(3), e70062
Date: 08/2025
view details