Rural Health
Resources by Type: Document
Connection for a Cure: How Broadband Access Supports Telehealth Use
Describes broadband access, the impact it has on telehealth utilization, and the impact of telehealth on health outcomes. Highlights various state and federal policy measures addressing broadband and telehealth access, the Rural Health Transformation Program, reimbursement, cross-state licensure flexibility, teleprescribing, and emergency medical services.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Conference of State Legislatures
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Describes broadband access, the impact it has on telehealth utilization, and the impact of telehealth on health outcomes. Highlights various state and federal policy measures addressing broadband and telehealth access, the Rural Health Transformation Program, reimbursement, cross-state licensure flexibility, teleprescribing, and emergency medical services.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Conference of State Legislatures
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A Roadmap for Implementing Virtual Geriatric Mental Health Services for Rural Veterans: Qualitative Longitudinal Evaluation
Explores access to geriatric mental health (GMH) in rural areas among older rural veterans. Evaluates the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) tele-GMH program's ability to provide care to veterans in rural areas. Describes the phases of implementation of tele-GMH as a part of a longitudinal evaluation.
Author(s): Christine E. Gould, Marika Blair Humber, Chalise Carlson, et al.
Citation: JMIR Aging, 9, e95286
Date: 06/2026
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Explores access to geriatric mental health (GMH) in rural areas among older rural veterans. Evaluates the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) tele-GMH program's ability to provide care to veterans in rural areas. Describes the phases of implementation of tele-GMH as a part of a longitudinal evaluation.
Author(s): Christine E. Gould, Marika Blair Humber, Chalise Carlson, et al.
Citation: JMIR Aging, 9, e95286
Date: 06/2026
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Understanding Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation for At-Home COVID-19 Testing in Underserved Populations During the Pandemic
Evaluates how access to COVID-19 testing barriers, facilitators, and motivations varied among underserved adults in Utah via interviews with 19 low-income Utahns. Includes rural and urban data comparisons and interview excerpts.
Author(s): Joni H. Pierce, Peter Taber, Leticia Stevens, et al.
Citation: Translational Behavioral Medicine, 16(1), ibag033
Date: 06/2026
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Evaluates how access to COVID-19 testing barriers, facilitators, and motivations varied among underserved adults in Utah via interviews with 19 low-income Utahns. Includes rural and urban data comparisons and interview excerpts.
Author(s): Joni H. Pierce, Peter Taber, Leticia Stevens, et al.
Citation: Translational Behavioral Medicine, 16(1), ibag033
Date: 06/2026
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Federal Regional Commissions and Authorities (FRCAs): Health-Related Programs
Provides an overview of congressionally authorized federal regional commissions and authorities (FRCAs), state-federal partnerships that use federal funds for economic development grants and related activities. Discusses the relationship between health and economic development. Describes examples of FRCA health-related grant programs and activities, such as healthcare facility development and equipment, workforce development, business technical assistance, and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Summarizes recent legislation and policy proposals regarding FRCAs and health, as well as considerations for Congress.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Provides an overview of congressionally authorized federal regional commissions and authorities (FRCAs), state-federal partnerships that use federal funds for economic development grants and related activities. Discusses the relationship between health and economic development. Describes examples of FRCA health-related grant programs and activities, such as healthcare facility development and equipment, workforce development, business technical assistance, and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Summarizes recent legislation and policy proposals regarding FRCAs and health, as well as considerations for Congress.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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A Comparative Analysis of Job Satisfaction and Intent to Leave Among Rural and Urban Caseworkers in Pennsylvania's Child Welfare Agencies
Findings from a survey of Pennsylvania child welfare caseworkers, identifying factors influencing job satisfaction, performance, and intent to leave. Recommends changes at the agency level and state-level policy changes related to child welfare caseworker workload, salaries, and funding. Features statistics including staff turnover from 2019-2023 with breakdowns by urban and rural areas, and reported cases of child abuse in 2023 with breakdowns by county.
Additional links: Legislative Brief
Author(s): Yoon Mi Kim, George Kovarie, Soohyoung Rain Lee
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Findings from a survey of Pennsylvania child welfare caseworkers, identifying factors influencing job satisfaction, performance, and intent to leave. Recommends changes at the agency level and state-level policy changes related to child welfare caseworker workload, salaries, and funding. Features statistics including staff turnover from 2019-2023 with breakdowns by urban and rural areas, and reported cases of child abuse in 2023 with breakdowns by county.
Additional links: Legislative Brief
Author(s): Yoon Mi Kim, George Kovarie, Soohyoung Rain Lee
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Assessing Homeowner Perspectives and Barriers to Maintenance of On-Lot Septic Systems in Rural Pennsylvania
Results of a study surveying septic system users in Pennsylvania in 2024 and 2025 to assess whether residents follow current maintenance guidelines, to examine barriers and needs for proper maintenance, and to evaluate water contaminants in private water sources. Features statistics including age of systems, pumping frequency, and contaminant detection frequencies of water samples, including drinking water.
Additional links: Legislative Brief
Author(s): Faith A. Kibuye, Andy Yencha, Susan Boser
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Results of a study surveying septic system users in Pennsylvania in 2024 and 2025 to assess whether residents follow current maintenance guidelines, to examine barriers and needs for proper maintenance, and to evaluate water contaminants in private water sources. Features statistics including age of systems, pumping frequency, and contaminant detection frequencies of water samples, including drinking water.
Additional links: Legislative Brief
Author(s): Faith A. Kibuye, Andy Yencha, Susan Boser
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Rural–Urban Disparities in Acute Pancreatitis Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study using the National Inpatient Sample (2016–2021)
Compares rural and urban acute pancreatitis hospitalization costs, mortality, length of stay, complications, and other healthcare outcomes, using 2016-2021 National Inpatient Sample data.
Author(s): Fatima Rashid, Kasim Syed Jafri, Niloy Ghosh, et al.
Citation: Medicine, 105(23), e49138
Date: 06/2026
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Compares rural and urban acute pancreatitis hospitalization costs, mortality, length of stay, complications, and other healthcare outcomes, using 2016-2021 National Inpatient Sample data.
Author(s): Fatima Rashid, Kasim Syed Jafri, Niloy Ghosh, et al.
Citation: Medicine, 105(23), e49138
Date: 06/2026
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Hierarchical Bayesian Analysis of Prehospital Timelines for Elderly Adults in Rural and Urban Motor-Vehicle Crashes
Analyzes emergency medical services (EMS) response and prehospital timelines for older adults involved in vehicle crashes in rural versus urban areas. Utilizes 2018-2023 crash data from Ohio and examines rural versus urban characteristics of crashes, prehospital time, and distance traveled.
Author(s): Philip F. Balyagati, Abdul S. Ngereza, Emmanuel Kidando, et al.
Citation: Journal of Safety Research, 97, 453-462
Date: 06/2026
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Analyzes emergency medical services (EMS) response and prehospital timelines for older adults involved in vehicle crashes in rural versus urban areas. Utilizes 2018-2023 crash data from Ohio and examines rural versus urban characteristics of crashes, prehospital time, and distance traveled.
Author(s): Philip F. Balyagati, Abdul S. Ngereza, Emmanuel Kidando, et al.
Citation: Journal of Safety Research, 97, 453-462
Date: 06/2026
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Drug Use and Social Connectivity Related to Hepatitis C Infection Among Rural People Who Use Drugs
Presents a study on the levels of social connectivity of rural people who use drugs (PWUDs) that correlate hepatitis C virus (HCV) positivity. Explores data by demographic characteristics, and measurements of social connectivity, such as currently seeing a primary care provider, past substance use treatment, and access to transportation, among other measures.
Author(s): Alex Rains, Ellen Almirol, William Nicholson, et al.
Citation: Journal of Viral Hepatitis, 33(7), e70200
Date: 06/2026
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Presents a study on the levels of social connectivity of rural people who use drugs (PWUDs) that correlate hepatitis C virus (HCV) positivity. Explores data by demographic characteristics, and measurements of social connectivity, such as currently seeing a primary care provider, past substance use treatment, and access to transportation, among other measures.
Author(s): Alex Rains, Ellen Almirol, William Nicholson, et al.
Citation: Journal of Viral Hepatitis, 33(7), e70200
Date: 06/2026
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Tailoring the Relational Playbook for Cardiology Teams to the Rural Hospital Medicine Setting: A Multi-Method Pre-Implementation Evaluation
Examines the process of making the Relational Playbook for Cardiology Teams leadership program within the Veterans Health Administration (VA) acceptable, appropriate, and feasible for rural healthcare settings. Utilizes data from site visits with 3 VA hospitals serving rural veterans and discusses perspectives from clinical leaders regarding barriers and strategies to implementing the program.
Author(s): Heather M. Gilmartin, Paige Perry, Brigid Connelly, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70165
Date: 06/2026
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Examines the process of making the Relational Playbook for Cardiology Teams leadership program within the Veterans Health Administration (VA) acceptable, appropriate, and feasible for rural healthcare settings. Utilizes data from site visits with 3 VA hospitals serving rural veterans and discusses perspectives from clinical leaders regarding barriers and strategies to implementing the program.
Author(s): Heather M. Gilmartin, Paige Perry, Brigid Connelly, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70165
Date: 06/2026
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