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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Social Risks and Nonadherence to Recommended Cancer Screening Among US Adults
Examines social risks associated with nonadherence to US Preventive Services Task Force cancer screening guidelines, utilizing 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data. See Table 2 for demographic data breakdowns on prevalence and risk ratios of screening nonadherence by type of test, including rural-urban dwelling.
Author(s): Ami E. Sedani, Scarlett L. Gomez, Wayne R. Lawrence, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(1), e2449556
Date: 01/2025
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A Comparison of Rural and Urban Differences in Geographic Proximity to Outpatient Stroke Rehabilitation Services in Tennessee
Examines distance and travel time disparities for outpatient stroke rehabilitation (OSR) services in rural and urban areas of Tennessee. Analyzes 185 facilities for OSR and provides rural versus urban median travel distance and time according to OSR service type. Includes county-level maps showing mean travel distance by kilometers.
Author(s): Phoebe M. Tran, Benjamin Fogelson, Robert E. Heidel, Raj Baljepally
Citation: Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention 45(1), 65-71
Date: 01/2025
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Health Differences Between Rural and Non-Rural Texas Counties Based on 2023 County Health Rankings
Examines rural versus nonrural counties in Texas by health outcomes and factors. Utilizes 2023 County Health Rankings data to explore county-level health disparities and includes maps showing health insurance, poverty, length and quality of life, socioeconomic factors, physical environment, health behavior, and clinical care ratings by county.
Author(s): Elizabeth Ekren, Shadi Maleki, Cristian Curran, Cassidy Watkins, Melinda M. Villagran
Citation: BMC Health Services Research, 25, 2
Date: 01/2025
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Proximity to Cancer Rehabilitation and Exercise Oncology by Geography, Race, and Socioeconomic Status
Examines the proximity to cancer rehabilitation and exercise oncology (CR/EO) programs and the health impacts of access. Utilizes 2020 American Community Survey (ACS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data to analyze 2,133 CR/EO programs, with breakdowns according to CR/EO distance, density, rural versus urban location, race/ethnicity, social deprivation index, U.S. region, and cancer incidence and mortality. Includes U.S. maps showing location of CR/EO programs and areas with or without proximity to programs.
Author(s): Kathryn H. Schmitz, Kathryn Demanelis, Mary E. Crisafio, et al.
Citation: Cancer: An International Interdisciplinary Journal of the American Cancer Society, 131(1)
Date: 01/2025
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Minnesota Chartbook Section 6: Uninsurance, Forgone Care, and the Safety Net
Reports on uninsurance trends in Minnesota from 2007 to 2023. Discusses statewide measures, population groups, characteristics and potential access to coverage of the uninsured, and uncompensated care. Includes charts showing rural versus urban hospital uncompensated care expenses.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health
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2025 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report
Report highlights the rate of suicide among veterans and the VA's role in suicide prevention. Discusses the causes of veteran suicide and the steps the VA is taking for suicide prevention. Breaks down rates of suicide by sex, contact with the VHA, and rurality, among other factors. The 2025 report is split into two parts. The second part is added as an additional link.
Additional links: National Suicide Data Appendix, Part 2: Report Findings
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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The State of the Nation's Housing 2025
Provides an overview of the housing market in the U.S. through early 2025. Discusses demographic drivers, home ownership, rental housing, and more. Includes metro versus nonmetro migration comparisons.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University
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California State Health Assessment Core Module 2025 Update
Provides data on a variety of health conditions and demographics as part of California's annual State Health Assessment (SHA). Offers data on statewide trends in mortality, disability, social determinants of health, mental health, and rural health. Includes rural-urban data comparisons for select topics.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: California Department of Public Health
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Maternal Mortality in Tennessee: Annual Report 2025
Findings from Tennessee's review of maternal deaths, focusing on pregnancy-related deaths from 2017-2023. Examines trends, leading causes, contributing factors, and disparities, and outlines recommendations to reduce pregnancy-related deaths and improve maternal health outcomes. Includes information on on pregnancy-related mortality rate by social drivers of health by rural or urban residence on PDF page 18.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Tennessee Department of Health
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2025 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures
Provides an overview of Alzheimer's disease in the United States, including prevalence, mortality and morbidity, and the roles and experiences of paid and informal caregivers. Includes discussion of Alzheimer's disease prevalence and access to services in rural areas.
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Alzheimer's Association
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