Rural Health
Resources by Type: Document
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
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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
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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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Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) Model Frequently Asked Questions
Provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation. Covers general information, Conditions of Participation, and REH payment policies.
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Mathematica, Rural Health Redesign Center
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Provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation. Covers general information, Conditions of Participation, and REH payment policies.
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Mathematica, Rural Health Redesign Center
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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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Oklahoma Rural Health Transformation Program Project Narrative - Year 2
Provides updates to the Oklahoma Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) for performance year 2. Describes the rural health landscape in the state, programs under each of the five initiatives, milestones for each initiative, evaluation and sustainability strategies, and more. Includes updates to Oklahoma's rural health definition and state policy action progress.
Additional links: Year 2 Budget Narrative
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Oklahoma State Department of Health
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Provides updates to the Oklahoma Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) for performance year 2. Describes the rural health landscape in the state, programs under each of the five initiatives, milestones for each initiative, evaluation and sustainability strategies, and more. Includes updates to Oklahoma's rural health definition and state policy action progress.
Additional links: Year 2 Budget Narrative
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Oklahoma State Department of Health
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Urban-Rural Disparities in Treatment and Outcomes for Colorectal Liver Metastases in the United States: A SEER-Medicare Analysis
Analyzes whether the characteristics, treatment, and survival of Medicare patients ages 66-85 with colorectal liver metastases vary by rural or urban dwelling, using 2000-2020 SEER-Medicare data.
Author(s): Mayte Bryce-Alberti, Victoria Stoffel, Isabella Blanchard, et al.
Citation: Annals of Surgical Oncology, 33, 10029-10037
Date: 08/2026
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Analyzes whether the characteristics, treatment, and survival of Medicare patients ages 66-85 with colorectal liver metastases vary by rural or urban dwelling, using 2000-2020 SEER-Medicare data.
Author(s): Mayte Bryce-Alberti, Victoria Stoffel, Isabella Blanchard, et al.
Citation: Annals of Surgical Oncology, 33, 10029-10037
Date: 08/2026
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Colorado RHT Program Annual Report - Year 1
Reports on the first year of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) in Colorado as of June 30, 2026. 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: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing
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Reports on the first year of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) in Colorado as of June 30, 2026. 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: Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing
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Maine Rural Health Transformation Program Project Narrative - Year 2
Provides updates to the Maine Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) project narrative for performance year 2. Describes the rural health landscape in the state, programs under each of the five initiatives, milestones for each initiative, evaluation and sustainability strategies, and more. Includes information on changes made in response to the year 1 notice of award and actions taken during the program's first year.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Maine Department of Health and Human Services
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Provides updates to the Maine Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) project narrative for performance year 2. Describes the rural health landscape in the state, programs under each of the five initiatives, milestones for each initiative, evaluation and sustainability strategies, and more. Includes information on changes made in response to the year 1 notice of award and actions taken during the program's first year.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Maine Department of Health and Human Services
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Increasing Cardiovascular Disease Risk Predicts Faster Cognitive Decline: A Bayesian Analysis of a Cohort of Adults in Rural West Texas
Analyzes associations between atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk and cognitive decline over time using longitudinal cohort data of 383 rural-dwelling adults aged 40+ in West Texas.
Author(s): Chathurika S. Dhanasekara, Chanaka N. Kahathuduwa, Volker Neugebauer
Citation: The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, 13(9)
Date: 08/2026
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Analyzes associations between atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk and cognitive decline over time using longitudinal cohort data of 383 rural-dwelling adults aged 40+ in West Texas.
Author(s): Chathurika S. Dhanasekara, Chanaka N. Kahathuduwa, Volker Neugebauer
Citation: The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, 13(9)
Date: 08/2026
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