Rural Health
Resources by Type: Document
How Do Services Offered Within Opioid Treatment Programs Vary Based on State Methadone Policies?
Examines the availability of opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in various states as well as access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) options, psychosocial services, and housing supports. Analyzes 1,501 opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and their characteristics, including state restrictiveness, services offered, facility type, rurality, and more.
Author(s): Zoe Lindenfeld, Noa Krawczyk, Erin A. Taylor, Denis Agniel, Jonathan H. Cantor
Citation: Journal of Substance Use & Addiction Treatment, 190, 210062
Date: 11/2026
view details
Examines the availability of opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in various states as well as access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) options, psychosocial services, and housing supports. Analyzes 1,501 opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and their characteristics, including state restrictiveness, services offered, facility type, rurality, and more.
Author(s): Zoe Lindenfeld, Noa Krawczyk, Erin A. Taylor, Denis Agniel, Jonathan H. Cantor
Citation: Journal of Substance Use & Addiction Treatment, 190, 210062
Date: 11/2026
view details
Rural Health Disadvantages in the United States: Evidence from Nationally Representative Data
Describes rural and urban mortality rate disparities since the 1990s and then examines National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 1999, 2000, 2017, and 2020 to identify both individual and place-based factors associated with health outcomes within large metropolitan, small/medium metropolitan, and nonmetropolitan areas. Discusses disparities in the working adult population and how county characteristics contribute to rural and urban gaps.
Author(s): Brandon Restrepo, Elizabeth A. Dobis, Sarah A. Low, Kelsey L. Thomas
Citation: Economics & Human Biology, 62
Date: 09/2026
view details
Describes rural and urban mortality rate disparities since the 1990s and then examines National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 1999, 2000, 2017, and 2020 to identify both individual and place-based factors associated with health outcomes within large metropolitan, small/medium metropolitan, and nonmetropolitan areas. Discusses disparities in the working adult population and how county characteristics contribute to rural and urban gaps.
Author(s): Brandon Restrepo, Elizabeth A. Dobis, Sarah A. Low, Kelsey L. Thomas
Citation: Economics & Human Biology, 62
Date: 09/2026
view details
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
Associations Between Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Rurality With New Diagnoses of Atrial Fibrillation
Examines how new diagnoses of atrial fibrillation vary by socioeconomic status and rurality, using 2021-2022 data of 369,619 patients at a Midwestern health system.
Author(s): Jonathan A. Handler, J. Rebecca Mills, Dale L. Smith, et al.
Citation: Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 37(3), 1070-1088
Date: 08/2026
view details
Examines how new diagnoses of atrial fibrillation vary by socioeconomic status and rurality, using 2021-2022 data of 369,619 patients at a Midwestern health system.
Author(s): Jonathan A. Handler, J. Rebecca Mills, Dale L. Smith, et al.
Citation: Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 37(3), 1070-1088
Date: 08/2026
view details
UCR Summary of Reported Crimes in the Nation, 2025
Reports data showing crime rates in 2025 for violent crime, property crime, and hate crimes. Includes analysis of crime trends over 20 years and law enforcement officers killed and assaulted. Includes comparisons of the crime rate change between 2024 and 2025 for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties, suburban areas, and city agencies by population size in tables 4 and 5.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Justice
view details
Reports data showing crime rates in 2025 for violent crime, property crime, and hate crimes. Includes analysis of crime trends over 20 years and law enforcement officers killed and assaulted. Includes comparisons of the crime rate change between 2024 and 2025 for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties, suburban areas, and city agencies by population size in tables 4 and 5.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Justice
view details
Vermont 2024 Physician Census: Statistical Report
Presents detailed profiles of physicians who renewed their licenses as of late 2024 and were providing patient care in Vermont. Features demographics and county-level statistics including primary care physician to population ratios.
Additional links: Methodology Change to Physician Reporting, Summary
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Vermont Department of Health
view details
Presents detailed profiles of physicians who renewed their licenses as of late 2024 and were providing patient care in Vermont. Features demographics and county-level statistics including primary care physician to population ratios.
Additional links: Methodology Change to Physician Reporting, Summary
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Vermont Department of Health
view details
Effect of Vintage 2025 Population Controls on 2024 Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance in the United States Estimates
Offers data tables showing changes to 2024 income, poverty, and health insurance measures from the Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement following updated methodology. Compares estimates using the 2024 and 2025 vintage. Includes comparison of metropolitan statistical areas and areas outside metropolitan statistical areas for income and poverty.
Author(s): Liana E. Fox, Eric Jensen
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
view details
Offers data tables showing changes to 2024 income, poverty, and health insurance measures from the Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement following updated methodology. Compares estimates using the 2024 and 2025 vintage. Includes comparison of metropolitan statistical areas and areas outside metropolitan statistical areas for income and poverty.
Author(s): Liana E. Fox, Eric Jensen
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
view details
2026 Section 706 Report
Reports on broadband deployment in the U.S., with information specific to broadband access in rural and tribal communities and the U.S. territories. Includes rural broadband deployment data by state and county.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Federal Communications Commission
view details
Reports on broadband deployment in the U.S., with information specific to broadband access in rural and tribal communities and the U.S. territories. Includes rural broadband deployment data by state and county.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Federal Communications Commission
view details
"Kind of Feel Like the Lone Outpost": A Qualitative Exploration of Barriers to Professional Development for Rural Primary Care Providers at the Veterans Health Administration
Study evaluates the levels of engagement in professional development (PD) among 9 rural primary care providers (PCPs) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Explores barriers to PD participation and details findings of semi-structured interviews with rural PCPs on the importance of PD in supporting recruitment and retention efforts.
Author(s): Karla L. Miller, Jennifer Hale-Gallardo, Jaime R. Wilson, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70206
Date: 08/2026
view details
Study evaluates the levels of engagement in professional development (PD) among 9 rural primary care providers (PCPs) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Explores barriers to PD participation and details findings of semi-structured interviews with rural PCPs on the importance of PD in supporting recruitment and retention efforts.
Author(s): Karla L. Miller, Jennifer Hale-Gallardo, Jaime R. Wilson, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70206
Date: 08/2026
view details
Rural Hospitals in Pennsylvania in the Context of Healthcare Market Consolidations
Provides an assessment of rural hospitals in Pennsylvania, comparing them to urban hospitals. Examines factors potentially associated with mergers, acquisitions, and health system affiliations, based on interviews and virtual site visits with selected hospitals from 2016-2023. Includes county-level data on available services, utilization, number of beds and more.
Author(s): Yunfeng Shi, Amy Yeung, Tess Wilson, Lisa Davis
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
view details
Provides an assessment of rural hospitals in Pennsylvania, comparing them to urban hospitals. Examines factors potentially associated with mergers, acquisitions, and health system affiliations, based on interviews and virtual site visits with selected hospitals from 2016-2023. Includes county-level data on available services, utilization, number of beds and more.
Author(s): Yunfeng Shi, Amy Yeung, Tess Wilson, Lisa Davis
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
view details