Rural Health
Resources by Type: Document
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
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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
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Rural Health Transformation Toolkit
Provides information and resources for state policymakers regarding rural health and the Rural Health Transformation Program. Links to resources describing how states have approached the RHTP application, policies on maternal health and oral health in rural communities, and more.
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Conference of State Legislatures
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Provides information and resources for state policymakers regarding rural health and the Rural Health Transformation Program. Links to resources describing how states have approached the RHTP application, policies on maternal health and oral health in rural communities, and more.
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Conference of State Legislatures
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Medicare Telehealth Trends Report
Describes the trends of telehealth utilization among Medicare beneficiaries between January 1, 2020, and March 31, 2026. Presents data on the percentage of Medicare beneficiaries that used a telehealth service by calendar quarter and by Medicaid eligibility, type of Medicare eligibility, demographic characteristics, and rural/urban residence.
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Describes the trends of telehealth utilization among Medicare beneficiaries between January 1, 2020, and March 31, 2026. Presents data on the percentage of Medicare beneficiaries that used a telehealth service by calendar quarter and by Medicaid eligibility, type of Medicare eligibility, demographic characteristics, and rural/urban residence.
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Rural Texas Strong Project Narrative Budget Period 2
Provides proposed updates to the Texas Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) for Budget Period 2. Describes programs under each of the six initiatives, including implementation plans, stakeholder engagement plans, metrics and evaluation plans, and more.
Additional links: Rural Texas Strong Budget Narrative Budget Period 2
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Texas Health and Human Services
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Provides proposed updates to the Texas Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) for Budget Period 2. Describes programs under each of the six initiatives, including implementation plans, stakeholder engagement plans, metrics and evaluation plans, and more.
Additional links: Rural Texas Strong Budget Narrative Budget Period 2
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Texas Health and Human Services
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Oregon by the Numbers - Key Measures for Oregon and Its Counties
Breaks down demographic and socioeconomic data in Oregon by county. Highlights data on various measures for each county such as food insecurity, unemployment rate, adult smoking, broadband access, and percent rural versus urban, among others.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Oregon State University Rural Studies Program, The Ford Family Foundation
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Breaks down demographic and socioeconomic data in Oregon by county. Highlights data on various measures for each county such as food insecurity, unemployment rate, adult smoking, broadband access, and percent rural versus urban, among others.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Oregon State University Rural Studies Program, The Ford Family Foundation
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Texas RHT Program Annual Report - Year 1
Reports on the first year of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) in Texas. Details the state policy actions, uses of funds, recipients of funds, and progress reports for each initiative funded by RHTP.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Texas Health and Human Services
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Reports on the first year of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) in Texas. Details the state policy actions, uses of funds, recipients of funds, and progress reports for each initiative funded by RHTP.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Texas Health and Human Services
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Financial Analysis 2025, Rural Hospitals: An Annual Report on the Financial Health of Pennsylvania Rural Hospitals
Provides data on general acute care (GAC) hospitals located in rural counties, as defined by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. Features financial statistics for GAC hospitals from 2022-2025, with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council
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Provides data on general acute care (GAC) hospitals located in rural counties, as defined by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. Features financial statistics for GAC hospitals from 2022-2025, with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council
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North Carolina RHT Program Annual Report - Year 1
Reports on the first year of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) in North Carolina. Details the state policy actions, uses of funds, recipients of funds, and progress reports for each initiative funded by RHTP.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
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Reports on the first year of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) in North Carolina. Details the state policy actions, uses of funds, recipients of funds, and progress reports for each initiative funded by RHTP.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
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Factors Associated With COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Preferred Sources of Health Information Among Medically Underserved Populations in North Carolina
Results of a study of vaccine hesitancy in North Carolina, using data from 918 participants in 40 rural counties with high Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area scores, who completed a survey in the summer of 2021. Features demographics and other statistics.
Author(s): Celeste R. Gracey, Godwin Y. Dogbey, David R. Tillman, Amy N. Hinkelman
Citation: North Carolina Medical Journal
Date: 08/2026
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Results of a study of vaccine hesitancy in North Carolina, using data from 918 participants in 40 rural counties with high Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area scores, who completed a survey in the summer of 2021. Features demographics and other statistics.
Author(s): Celeste R. Gracey, Godwin Y. Dogbey, David R. Tillman, Amy N. Hinkelman
Citation: North Carolina Medical Journal
Date: 08/2026
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South Dakota Rural Health Transformation Program Annual Report - Year 1
Reports on the first year of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) in South Dakota. Details the state policy actions, uses of funds, and progress reports for each initiative funded by RHTP.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: South Dakota Department of Health
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Reports on the first year of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) in South Dakota. Details the state policy actions, uses of funds, and progress reports for each initiative funded by RHTP.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: South Dakota Department of Health
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