Rural Health
Resources by Type: Document
Disparities in Rural–Urban Cancer Care Outcomes Among Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Populations: A Comprehensive Narrative Review
Literature review examining research on rural-urban disparities in cancer outcomes and access to care among children aged 0-18 and adolescents and young adults aged 15-39 years. Covers topics including distance to care, cancer incidence, social determinants of health, access to specialized oncology services, mortality, financial toxicity, supportive and survivorship care, and clinical trial access.
Author(s): Olivia C. Burke, Wencesley A. Paez
Citation: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention
Date: 09/2026
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Literature review examining research on rural-urban disparities in cancer outcomes and access to care among children aged 0-18 and adolescents and young adults aged 15-39 years. Covers topics including distance to care, cancer incidence, social determinants of health, access to specialized oncology services, mortality, financial toxicity, supportive and survivorship care, and clinical trial access.
Author(s): Olivia C. Burke, Wencesley A. Paez
Citation: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention
Date: 09/2026
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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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New Hampshire Rural Health Transformation Program Year 2 Project Narrative
Presents the New Hampshire 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 program changes and progress made during the first budget year.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Governor's Office of New Opportunities & Rural Transformational Health
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Presents the New Hampshire 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 program changes and progress made during the first budget year.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Governor's Office of New Opportunities & Rural Transformational Health
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Correlates of Homebound Status by Rural/Urban Location, Socio-Demographic Characteristics, and Health Status
Examines factors associated with homebound status in older adults across rural and urban locations. Uses 2022-2023 National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) data from 6,125 Medicare beneficiaries and analyzes rural versus urban differences in homebound status, sociodemographics, Medicaid eligibility, health status, and more.
Author(s): Dionne Bailey, Megan Lahr, Katie Rydberg, Carrie Henning-Smith
Citation: Journal of Applied Gerontology
Date: 08/2026
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Examines factors associated with homebound status in older adults across rural and urban locations. Uses 2022-2023 National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) data from 6,125 Medicare beneficiaries and analyzes rural versus urban differences in homebound status, sociodemographics, Medicaid eligibility, health status, and more.
Author(s): Dionne Bailey, Megan Lahr, Katie Rydberg, Carrie Henning-Smith
Citation: Journal of Applied Gerontology
Date: 08/2026
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Sanders Announces Nearly $150 Million Awarded in Rural Health Transformation Funds
Announces recipients of funding through two initiatives as part of the Arkansas Rural Health Transformation Program: Telehealth, Health-Monitoring, and Response Innovation for Vital Expansion (THRIVE) and Promoting Access Coordination and Transformation (PACT). Describes each awarded project, its service area, and funding amount.
Additional links: List of Organization and Award Amounts - THRIVE and PACT
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Office of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders
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Announces recipients of funding through two initiatives as part of the Arkansas Rural Health Transformation Program: Telehealth, Health-Monitoring, and Response Innovation for Vital Expansion (THRIVE) and Promoting Access Coordination and Transformation (PACT). Describes each awarded project, its service area, and funding amount.
Additional links: List of Organization and Award Amounts - THRIVE and PACT
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Office of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders
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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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