Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Access to Acute Stroke Capabilities in California: Association with Rurality and Telestroke Access
Examines disparities in presentation to emergency departments (EDs) with or without acute stroke capability among patients with acute stroke by race and ethnicity, and variations in these associations by patient rurality and ED telestroke status, using 2021 NEDI-California and NEDI-USA survey data.
Author(s): Kori S. Zachrison, Renee Y. Hsia, Krislyn M. Boggs, et al.
Citation: Journal of Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases, 35(4), 108607
Date: 04/2026
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Examines disparities in presentation to emergency departments (EDs) with or without acute stroke capability among patients with acute stroke by race and ethnicity, and variations in these associations by patient rurality and ED telestroke status, using 2021 NEDI-California and NEDI-USA survey data.
Author(s): Kori S. Zachrison, Renee Y. Hsia, Krislyn M. Boggs, et al.
Citation: Journal of Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases, 35(4), 108607
Date: 04/2026
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Mapping Spatial and Social Inequities of Long COVID Across the United States: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Examines spatiotemporal variables and social determinants as correlated with the Omicron variant and long COVID health risk. Analyzes 5,652,474 COVID-19 cases and 41,694 long COVID cases according to year, location, U.S. region, risk level of county, and social determinants, including rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Zhetao Chen, Bingnan Lib, Yewen Chen, et al.
Citation: The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, 56, 101401
Date: 04/2026
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Examines spatiotemporal variables and social determinants as correlated with the Omicron variant and long COVID health risk. Analyzes 5,652,474 COVID-19 cases and 41,694 long COVID cases according to year, location, U.S. region, risk level of county, and social determinants, including rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Zhetao Chen, Bingnan Lib, Yewen Chen, et al.
Citation: The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, 56, 101401
Date: 04/2026
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South Carolina Health Professions Data Book
Provides information about the health status of South Carolina residents and the number of healthcare providers practicing in the state as of 2024, including a section with statistics for rural areas.
Author(s): Bo Fu, Ashlyn Chastain-Brown, Cate Campbell, et al.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium
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Provides information about the health status of South Carolina residents and the number of healthcare providers practicing in the state as of 2024, including a section with statistics for rural areas.
Author(s): Bo Fu, Ashlyn Chastain-Brown, Cate Campbell, et al.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium
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Assessing Access to Cardiologists and Endocrinologists in the Texas ACA Market
Uses secret shopper surveys to assess patient access to cardiologists and endocrinologists in the Texas Affordable Care Act marketplace. Includes breakdown of data by rurality of both patient and provider. Discusses appointment wait times and distance to care for rural patients.
Author(s): Simon F. Haeder, Yuqin Lou, Wendy Xu
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(4)
Date: 03/2026
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Uses secret shopper surveys to assess patient access to cardiologists and endocrinologists in the Texas Affordable Care Act marketplace. Includes breakdown of data by rurality of both patient and provider. Discusses appointment wait times and distance to care for rural patients.
Author(s): Simon F. Haeder, Yuqin Lou, Wendy Xu
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(4)
Date: 03/2026
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NSDUH Short Report: Substance Use Disorder and Major Depressive Episode among Females
Report explores rates of substance use disorder (SUD) and major depressive episode (MDE) among women from 2022-2024. Breaks down data by a number of factors, such as demographic factors, adolescents versus adults, SUD/MDE severity, and rurality, among other measures.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Report explores rates of substance use disorder (SUD) and major depressive episode (MDE) among women from 2022-2024. Breaks down data by a number of factors, such as demographic factors, adolescents versus adults, SUD/MDE severity, and rurality, among other measures.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Growth in Medicare Advantage by Organizational Size Across Rural and Urban Counties
Explores changes in the Medicare Advantage (MA) markets in rural and urban counties. Draws findings from enrollment data from 2019-2026. Breaks down findings by rural, micropolitan, and metropolitan counties.
Author(s): Dan M Shane, Fred Ullrich, Keith J. Mueller
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70134
Date: 03/2026
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Explores changes in the Medicare Advantage (MA) markets in rural and urban counties. Draws findings from enrollment data from 2019-2026. Breaks down findings by rural, micropolitan, and metropolitan counties.
Author(s): Dan M Shane, Fred Ullrich, Keith J. Mueller
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70134
Date: 03/2026
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Who is Benefiting from the Dramatic Decline in U.S. Cancer Mortality? Place-Based Evidence of Disparities in Rates of Improvement
Analyzes how improvements in cancer mortality between 1991 and 2019 varied by geography, using CDC WONDER data. Includes data comparisons by U.S. region, income level, and rurality at the county level.
Author(s): Arthur G. Cosby, Viswadeep Lebakula, Karissa Bergene, et al.
Citation: British Journal of Cancer
Date: 03/2026
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Analyzes how improvements in cancer mortality between 1991 and 2019 varied by geography, using CDC WONDER data. Includes data comparisons by U.S. region, income level, and rurality at the county level.
Author(s): Arthur G. Cosby, Viswadeep Lebakula, Karissa Bergene, et al.
Citation: British Journal of Cancer
Date: 03/2026
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Rural Population Reaches 46.2 Million in 2024
Bar chart comparing rural and urban population change and drivers of the changes between 2021 and 2024.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Bar chart comparing rural and urban population change and drivers of the changes between 2021 and 2024.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Vermont Cancer Surveillance: Data Pages
Presents data related to cancer, cancer prevention, and risk factors that can elevate the risk of cancer among Vermonters. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Vermont Department of Health
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Presents data related to cancer, cancer prevention, and risk factors that can elevate the risk of cancer among Vermonters. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Vermont Department of Health
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Expanding Access to Low-Barrier Opioid Use Disorder Treatment in Non-Traditional Settings: Washington's Opioid Treatment Network
Presents a study exploring use of opioid treatment networks to provide low-barrier access to medications to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD) in Washington State. Compares rates of buprenorohine utilization of individuals within and outside of the network and by rural-urban residence.
Author(s): Shay M. Daily, Sharon Reif, Elizabeth Speaker, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70139
Date: 03/2026
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Presents a study exploring use of opioid treatment networks to provide low-barrier access to medications to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD) in Washington State. Compares rates of buprenorohine utilization of individuals within and outside of the network and by rural-urban residence.
Author(s): Shay M. Daily, Sharon Reif, Elizabeth Speaker, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70139
Date: 03/2026
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