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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Modeling the Impact of Changing Drug Markets and Structural Determinants on HCV and/or HIV Transmission Among People Who Inject Drugs in the United States: A Rural and Urban Comparison
Details a study exploring the impact of changing patterns of drug use in rural and urban areas are affecting the rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV incidence among people who inject drugs (PWID). Compares rates of infection and drug use in San Diego, CA and rural Central and Northern, WI.
Author(s): Natasha K. Martin, Daniela Abramovitz, William H. Eger, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Drug Policy, 143, 104925
Date: 09/2025
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Comparison of Discharge Disposition and AHA Prehospital Stroke Compliance among Urban, Suburban, and Rural EMS Agencies
Compares patient outcomes and compliance with quality of care guidelines among rural, suburban, and urban EMS agencies. Utilizes prehospital encounter data from 31 Colorado and Wyoming hospitals from 2020 to 2022.
Author(s): Daria S. Nicke, Courtney Wham, Ian Espinoza, et al.
Citation: Journal of Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases, 34(9), 108402
Date: 09/2025
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Effectiveness of Nirsevimab among Infants in their First RSV Season in the United States, October 2023–March 2024: A Test-Negative Design Analysis
Analyzes the impact of the nirsevimab antibody for infants in their first respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season. Utilizes 2023-2024 electronic health record (EHR) data from 6 healthcare systems to examine RSV-associated emergency department (ED) use and hospitalization according to patient demographics, social determinants of health, health conditions, and location on the rural-urban continuum.
Author(s): Amanda B. Payne, Steph Battan-Wraith, Elizabeth A.K. Rowley, et al.
Citation: The Lancet Regional Health - Americas, 49, 101196
Date: 09/2025
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Examining the Burden of Chronic Disease and Low SES to Identify High-Need Rural Counties
Analyzes the geographic and sociodemographic profile of rural, high-need counties in the United States. Examines chronic disease prevalence, socioeconomic status, and access to healthcare facilities by county, with additional breakdowns by demographic characteristics of low-, moderate-, and high-need counties.
Author(s): Gabriel A. Benavidez, Emma Boswell, Peiyin Hung, Elizabeth Crouch
Citation: Journal of Public Health Management & Practice, 31(5), 691-699
Date: 09/2025
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Fill Patterns of Glucose-Lowering Drugs with Cardiovascular and Kidney Benefits in the Rural and Urban United States, 2012–2021
Analyzes fill rates for GLP1RA and SGLT2i glucose-lowering drugs among people with type 2 diabetes by level of rurality and other demographics, utilizing 2012-2021 OptumLabs Data Warehouse claims data. Discusses how geographic differences in prescribing may influence cardiovascular and kidney disease outcomes among people with type 2 diabetes.
Author(s): Kyle Steiger, Kavya Sindhu Swarna, Jeph Herrin, Rozalina G. McCoy
Citation: Journal of General Internal Medicine, 41, 126-133
Date: 08/2025
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Income, Healthy Food Availability, and Consumption Mediate Rural–Urban Health Disparities
Discusses rural versus urban health disparities and how healthy food availability and consumption mediate disparities. Utilizes national and state-level survey data from Oregon residents regarding their self-reported income, perceived fruit and vegetable (FV) availability, FV consumption, and health status, analyzing their associated mediating effect on rural health disparities.
Author(s): Benjamin J Smith, A Janet Tomiyama, Deborah H John, Bryan Mantell, Elliot T Berkman
Citation: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 32(6), 939-952
Date: 08/2025
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Predictors of Adenotonsillectomy for Publicly Insured Children With Sleep-Disordered Breathing
Analyzes associations between demographic factors and adenotonsillectomy rates among Medicaid-insured children in South Carolina. Provides data on adenotonsillectomy, receipt of polysomnography, and race, ethnicity, and rurality.
Author(s): Phayvanh P. Pecha, Pamela L. Ferguson, Marvella E. Ford, Paul J. Nietert
Citation: The Laryngoscope, 136(2), 1012-1019
Date: 08/2025
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Virginia's Licensed Professional Counselor Workforce: 2025
An overview of the licensed professional counselor (LPC) workforce in Virginia based on data from the 2025 Licensed Professional Counselor Workforce Survey. Features statistics including the number of LPCs in rural Virginia and how many grew up in rural areas.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Virginia Department of Health Professions
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Virginia's Speech-Language Pathology Workforce: 2025
An overview of the speech-language pathologist (SLP) workforce in Virginia based on data from the 2025 Speech-Language Pathologist Workforce Survey. Features statistics including the number of SLPs in rural Virginia and how many grew up in rural areas.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Virginia Department of Health Professions
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Virginia's Audiologist Workforce: 2025
An overview of the audiologist workforce in Virginia based on data from the 2025 Audiologist Workforce Survey. Features statistics including the number of audiologists in rural Virginia and how many grew up in rural areas.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Virginia Department of Health Professions
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