Rural Health
Resources by Type: Document
Environmental Risk Factors and Iowa's Cancer Crisis: A 2026 Report
Reports on environmental factors influencing the high incidence of cancer in Iowa, including detailed discussion on cancer risks related to pesticides, PFAS, nitrates, radon, and other topics related to agricultural and industrial safety. Provides recommendations for strengthening environmental health in agricultural policy.
Author(s): Colleen Fowle, Sarah Howe, Kerri Johannsen, et al.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Iowa Environmental Council, The Harkin Institute
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Reports on environmental factors influencing the high incidence of cancer in Iowa, including detailed discussion on cancer risks related to pesticides, PFAS, nitrates, radon, and other topics related to agricultural and industrial safety. Provides recommendations for strengthening environmental health in agricultural policy.
Author(s): Colleen Fowle, Sarah Howe, Kerri Johannsen, et al.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Iowa Environmental Council, The Harkin Institute
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Growth in Medicare Advantage by Organizational Size Across Rural and Urban Counties
Explores changes in the Medicare Advantage (MA) markets in rural and urban counties. Draws findings from enrollment data from 2019-2026. Breaks down findings by rural, micropolitan, and metropolitan counties.
Author(s): Dan M Shane, Fred Ullrich, Keith J. Mueller
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70134
Date: 03/2026
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Explores changes in the Medicare Advantage (MA) markets in rural and urban counties. Draws findings from enrollment data from 2019-2026. Breaks down findings by rural, micropolitan, and metropolitan counties.
Author(s): Dan M Shane, Fred Ullrich, Keith J. Mueller
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70134
Date: 03/2026
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Profiles of Non-Medical Drivers and Health Burden Associated With Care Seeking Among Rural Women
Examines social, demographic, and geographic determinants of health impacting women's health in 29 rural Texas counties. Analyzes survey data from 159 participants and provides data on health burden, health-related social needs, and geographic access to care.
Author(s): Elizabeth Ekren, Saksham Adhikari, Shadi Maleki, et al.
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 17
Date: 03/2026
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Examines social, demographic, and geographic determinants of health impacting women's health in 29 rural Texas counties. Analyzes survey data from 159 participants and provides data on health burden, health-related social needs, and geographic access to care.
Author(s): Elizabeth Ekren, Saksham Adhikari, Shadi Maleki, et al.
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 17
Date: 03/2026
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Expanding Access to Low-Barrier Opioid Use Disorder Treatment in Non-Traditional Settings: Washington's Opioid Treatment Network
Presents a study exploring use of opioid treatment networks to provide low-barrier access to medications to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD) in Washington State. Compares rates of buprenorohine utilization of individuals within and outside of the network and by rural-urban residence.
Author(s): Shay M. Daily, Sharon Reif, Elizabeth Speaker, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70139
Date: 03/2026
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Presents a study exploring use of opioid treatment networks to provide low-barrier access to medications to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD) in Washington State. Compares rates of buprenorohine utilization of individuals within and outside of the network and by rural-urban residence.
Author(s): Shay M. Daily, Sharon Reif, Elizabeth Speaker, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70139
Date: 03/2026
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Vermont Cancer Surveillance: Data Pages
Presents data related to cancer, cancer prevention, and risk factors that can elevate the risk of cancer among Vermonters. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Vermont Department of Health
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Presents data related to cancer, cancer prevention, and risk factors that can elevate the risk of cancer among Vermonters. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Vermont Department of Health
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A Community Supported Agriculture Produce Prescription Pilot Program in the Northern Black Hills
Examines the impact of Dakota Food Rx, a community agricultural produce prescription program in the rural Northern Black Hills of South Dakota. Evaluates the program according to participant feedback on issues such as food security, nutritional quality, health changes, and overall program satisfaction.
Author(s): Gemma E. Bastian, Sarah Lane, Haley McMahon, Olivia A. Husmann, Evangeline A. Schumacher
Citation: Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 15(2), 1-19
Date: 03/2026
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Examines the impact of Dakota Food Rx, a community agricultural produce prescription program in the rural Northern Black Hills of South Dakota. Evaluates the program according to participant feedback on issues such as food security, nutritional quality, health changes, and overall program satisfaction.
Author(s): Gemma E. Bastian, Sarah Lane, Haley McMahon, Olivia A. Husmann, Evangeline A. Schumacher
Citation: Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 15(2), 1-19
Date: 03/2026
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Characterizing Early Adopters of the Rural Emergency Hospital Designation
Compares 42 hospitals that have received Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designations to the 447 REH-eligible hospitals that have not converted to identify characteristics of early converters. Characteristics evaluated include Critical Access Hospital status, ownership and affiliations, healthcare utilization, staffing, available services, and finances.
Author(s): Jonah M. Graves, R.J. Waken, Fengxian Wang, Paula Chatterjee, Karen E. Joynt Maddox
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(3)
Date: 03/2026
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Compares 42 hospitals that have received Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designations to the 447 REH-eligible hospitals that have not converted to identify characteristics of early converters. Characteristics evaluated include Critical Access Hospital status, ownership and affiliations, healthcare utilization, staffing, available services, and finances.
Author(s): Jonah M. Graves, R.J. Waken, Fengxian Wang, Paula Chatterjee, Karen E. Joynt Maddox
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(3)
Date: 03/2026
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CMS Innovation Center: Obligations and Model Testing Progress
Discusses the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation Center's (Innovation Center) financial obligations from 2011 through 2024 and how it used the funds to develop and test new healthcare payment and service delivery models. Describes the outcomes of model testing, highlighting four models that CMS certified for expansion. Explores the extent to which the Innovation Center uses selected performance management practices to regularly assess its efforts.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Discusses the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation Center's (Innovation Center) financial obligations from 2011 through 2024 and how it used the funds to develop and test new healthcare payment and service delivery models. Describes the outcomes of model testing, highlighting four models that CMS certified for expansion. Explores the extent to which the Innovation Center uses selected performance management practices to regularly assess its efforts.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2026
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Effect of Medicaid Audio-Only Telehealth Coverage Policy on Mental Health Visits in Federally Qualified Health Centers
Examines the impact of Medicaid audio-only coverage (MAOC) and telehealth policy on mental health usage at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Utilizes 2016-2022 FQHC-level Uniform Data Systems (UDS) data to analyze mental health visit rates and MAOC policy implementation according to rural versus urban location as well as presence or absence of a primary telemental health service.
Author(s): Khyathi Gadag, Kanika Arora, Brian Kaskie, Whitney E. Zahnd
Citation: Health Services Research, 61(2), e70107
Date: 03/2026
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Examines the impact of Medicaid audio-only coverage (MAOC) and telehealth policy on mental health usage at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Utilizes 2016-2022 FQHC-level Uniform Data Systems (UDS) data to analyze mental health visit rates and MAOC policy implementation according to rural versus urban location as well as presence or absence of a primary telemental health service.
Author(s): Khyathi Gadag, Kanika Arora, Brian Kaskie, Whitney E. Zahnd
Citation: Health Services Research, 61(2), e70107
Date: 03/2026
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A Comparative Analysis of Visual Field Test Results Using Tablet-Based and Table-Mounted Devices in a Telemedicine Program Set in Underserved Areas
Describes the reliability and comparative accuracy of a tablet-based visual field (VF) assessment compared to the standard Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer (HFA) among 253 Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) patients in rural Alabama. Discusses the potential implications of the findings on increasing access to eye care in rural primary care settings.
Author(s): Ellen K. Antwi-Adjei, Thomas A. Swain, Christopher A. Girkin, et al.
Citation: Translational Vision Science & Technology, 15(3), 29
Date: 03/2026
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Describes the reliability and comparative accuracy of a tablet-based visual field (VF) assessment compared to the standard Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer (HFA) among 253 Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) patients in rural Alabama. Discusses the potential implications of the findings on increasing access to eye care in rural primary care settings.
Author(s): Ellen K. Antwi-Adjei, Thomas A. Swain, Christopher A. Girkin, et al.
Citation: Translational Vision Science & Technology, 15(3), 29
Date: 03/2026
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