Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Social determinants of health
The Obesity-Related Chronic Disease Index (ORCDi), a Novel Composite Metric to Quantify ORCD Burden: An Ecological Study Across U.S. Census Tracts
Analyzes obesity-related conditions across U.S. census-tracts to develop and validate the obesity-related chronic disease index (ORCDi), a metric used to quantify obesity burden at the community level. Utilizes Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) PLACES 2024 data to analyze health conditions across social vulnerability indices (SVIs) and rural-urban commuting area (RUCA) codes. Discusses the utility of ORCDi as a measure in health research to analyze ORCD burden in various communities.
Author(s): Md Roungu Ahmmad, Fazlay Faruque, Xiaoli Zhang
Citation: The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, 61, 101547
Date: 09/2026
view details
Analyzes obesity-related conditions across U.S. census-tracts to develop and validate the obesity-related chronic disease index (ORCDi), a metric used to quantify obesity burden at the community level. Utilizes Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) PLACES 2024 data to analyze health conditions across social vulnerability indices (SVIs) and rural-urban commuting area (RUCA) codes. Discusses the utility of ORCDi as a measure in health research to analyze ORCD burden in various communities.
Author(s): Md Roungu Ahmmad, Fazlay Faruque, Xiaoli Zhang
Citation: The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, 61, 101547
Date: 09/2026
view details
Young Adult Urbanicity, Late Midlife Neighborhood Disadvantage, and Cognitive Functioning in Community-Dwelling Older Men
Examines the impact of geography and neighborhood socioeconomics on cognitive function in older men. Analyzes data of cognitive performance from 881 community-dwelling men with additional breakdowns according to demographic variables, rural versus urban location, and area disadvantage index (ADI).
Author(s): Rongxiang Tang, Asad Beck, Daniel E Gustavson, et al.
Citation: The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 81(8)
Date: 08/2026
view details
Examines the impact of geography and neighborhood socioeconomics on cognitive function in older men. Analyzes data of cognitive performance from 881 community-dwelling men with additional breakdowns according to demographic variables, rural versus urban location, and area disadvantage index (ADI).
Author(s): Rongxiang Tang, Asad Beck, Daniel E Gustavson, et al.
Citation: The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 81(8)
Date: 08/2026
view details
Survivability in Patients with Rare Sigmoid Colon Adenocarcinoma Variants: Exploring the Influence of Rural–Urban Continuum Codes and Social Determinants of Health in the USA
Examines survival rates of patients with rare sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma across geographic and income variables. Utilizes SEER data from 93,020 patients and includes rural versus urban breakdowns according to demographics, cancer characteristics, mortality, and median household income. Discusses impacts of rurality and socioeconomics on survivability.
Author(s): Md Roungu Ahmmad, Fazlay Faruque, Rodney Rocconi, et al.
Citation: Cancer Causes & Control, 37, 123
Date: 07/2026
view details
Examines survival rates of patients with rare sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma across geographic and income variables. Utilizes SEER data from 93,020 patients and includes rural versus urban breakdowns according to demographics, cancer characteristics, mortality, and median household income. Discusses impacts of rurality and socioeconomics on survivability.
Author(s): Md Roungu Ahmmad, Fazlay Faruque, Rodney Rocconi, et al.
Citation: Cancer Causes & Control, 37, 123
Date: 07/2026
view details
County Economic Status in Appalachia, FY 2027
Shows levels of economic distress in Appalachian counties based on unemployment rates, income, and poverty levels. Includes interactive map, downloadable maps and data files, and data report.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
view details
Shows levels of economic distress in Appalachian counties based on unemployment rates, income, and poverty levels. Includes interactive map, downloadable maps and data files, and data report.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
view details
Concordance Between Social Needs Screening and Availability of Associated Programs in US Hospitals
Examines the extent to which hospitals screen patients for social needs by analyzing data from the 2022 American Hospital Association (AHA) survey. Explores the alignment between hospitals that screen for social needs and the availability of programs to address those needs. Compares data on social needs screening and corresponding programs at hospitals by rural and urban location, Critical Access Hospital (CAH) status, region, ownership, and participation in accountable care organizations (ACOs).
Author(s): Khyathi Gadag, Keith Mueller, Whitney E. Zahnd
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
view details
Examines the extent to which hospitals screen patients for social needs by analyzing data from the 2022 American Hospital Association (AHA) survey. Explores the alignment between hospitals that screen for social needs and the availability of programs to address those needs. Compares data on social needs screening and corresponding programs at hospitals by rural and urban location, Critical Access Hospital (CAH) status, region, ownership, and participation in accountable care organizations (ACOs).
Author(s): Khyathi Gadag, Keith Mueller, Whitney E. Zahnd
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
view details
Health-Related Social Needs as a Rural Health Transformation Strategy
Analyzes how state Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) applications have planned to address health-related social needs (HRSNs) or non-medical drivers of health. Provides recommendations for implementing HRSN policies at the state level.
Author(s): Charles W. Mathias, Kathryn Jantz, Elena M. Marks, Carlos A. Cruz
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy
view details
Analyzes how state Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) applications have planned to address health-related social needs (HRSNs) or non-medical drivers of health. Provides recommendations for implementing HRSN policies at the state level.
Author(s): Charles W. Mathias, Kathryn Jantz, Elena M. Marks, Carlos A. Cruz
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy
view details
The 2025 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress
Presents a point-in-time estimate of the number of people experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness in January 2025. Explores national estimates on homeless individuals, families, unaccompanied youth, veterans, and chronically homeless individuals. Provides data on homelessness trends over time, demographics of homeless individuals, sheltered individuals, and differences by geography.
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
view details
Presents a point-in-time estimate of the number of people experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness in January 2025. Explores national estimates on homeless individuals, families, unaccompanied youth, veterans, and chronically homeless individuals. Provides data on homelessness trends over time, demographics of homeless individuals, sheltered individuals, and differences by geography.
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
view details
Wisconsin State Health Assessment 2025
Provides an overview of population health in Wisconsin, focusing on demographics, social determinants of health, health behaviors, health outcomes, and community health infrastructure. Includes rural versus urban and county-level data points and discusses key health issues in Wisconsin.
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Wisconsin Department of Health Services
view details
Provides an overview of population health in Wisconsin, focusing on demographics, social determinants of health, health behaviors, health outcomes, and community health infrastructure. Includes rural versus urban and county-level data points and discusses key health issues in Wisconsin.
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Wisconsin Department of Health Services
view details
Economic Stability of Children, a Key Social Determinant of Health, in the United States: Differences by Rurality
Presents a study exploring economic security as a social determinant of health for rural children. Compares rates of economic security for rural and urban children by three different measures: housing instability, food insecurity, and income inadequacy.
Author(s): Elizabeth Crouch, Emma Boswell, Cassie Odahowski, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70164
Date: 05/2026
view details
Presents a study exploring economic security as a social determinant of health for rural children. Compares rates of economic security for rural and urban children by three different measures: housing instability, food insecurity, and income inadequacy.
Author(s): Elizabeth Crouch, Emma Boswell, Cassie Odahowski, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70164
Date: 05/2026
view details
One Nation, Two Rural Health Crises: Georgia and Texas Show Why Local Data-Informed Solutions Matter
Discusses how local conditions, including socioeconomic pressures, chronic disease prevalence, and limited access to care, differently influence rural health needs and solutions in Georgia and Texas. Includes discussion of maternal health disparities and chronic disease prevalence as key topics requiring different solutions in different states.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: PCCI
view details
Discusses how local conditions, including socioeconomic pressures, chronic disease prevalence, and limited access to care, differently influence rural health needs and solutions in Georgia and Texas. Includes discussion of maternal health disparities and chronic disease prevalence as key topics requiring different solutions in different states.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: PCCI
view details