Conducting Rural Health Research, Needs Assessments, and Program Evaluations – Resources

A Review of Common Limitations in Rural Related Studies in the Peer-Reviewed Literature
Examines rural-focused research studies and their data limitations, such as quality of data, generalizability, numerous rural definitions, outdated data, and more. Reviews 259 research studies published between 2019-2022 in prominent peer-reviewed journals to analyze study characteristics and author-reported limitations.
Author(s): Stephanie M. Mathis, Olivia A. Sullivan, Margaret M. Francisco, et al.
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: ETSU/NORC Rural Health Research Center
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The National Dementia Workforce Study: The Plan for Organization Sample Frames and Data Collection
Details a plan for sampling and recruitment procedures of the dementia workforce, focusing on previously unsampled populations working in assisted living communities or home health agencies. Discusses sampling and recruitment strategies with considerations for Census region and rural areas.
Author(s): James Wagner, Laura M. Wagner, Sheryl Zimmerman, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Date: 09/2025
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Precision Public Health Alliances as a Model and Method for Community Engagement
Examines the Precision Public Health Alliance (PPHA) approach of utilizing analytics to map social, demographic, and clinical comorbidity variables onto colorectal cancer (CRC) screening data in rural northeastern Kentucky and southeastern Ohio. Provides data on the relationship among sociodemographic information, clinical outcomes, and CRC screening to assess community needs. Discusses the importance of understanding social determinants of health (SDOH) and community collaboration when addressing population health.
Author(s): Margaret L. McGladrey, Mary Elizabeth Lacy, Kristen McQuerry, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 13
Date: 08/2025
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Conducting Research That Matters to Rural Practice and Communities
Commentary describing activities designed to improve rural clinical and community engagement in research led by the Oregon Rural Practice Research Network and the WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho) region Practice and Research Network. Features example solutions for meaningful engagement.
Author(s): Sebastian T. Tong, Melinda M. Davis, Allison M. Cole
Citation: Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 38(2), 603-606
Date: 08/2025
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35 Years of Partnership to Advance Cardiovascular Health and Well-Being in American Indian Communities: The Strong Heart Study and Strong Heart Family Study
Discusses the impact of the Strong Heart Study (SHS) and Strong Heart Family Study (SHFS) to provide population health and cardiovascular health outcomes information on rural tribal communities. Focuses on the importance of longitudinal studies, rigorous data collection, knowledge sharing, and partnerships.
Author(s): Amanda M. Fretts, Jessica A. Reese, Ying Zhang
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 07/2025
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Wireless Substitution: Early Release of Estimates from the National Health Interview Survey, July-December 2024
Provides data on households that rely on wireless telephones rather than landlines. Includes data on the percent of adults who live in wireless-only households and have their own wireless telephone, as well as data on phoneless adults. Provides data for nonmetropolitan compared to metropolitan areas. Discusses the need for surveys to include adequate representation of wireless-only households and households with landlines.
Author(s): Stephen J. Blumberg, Julian V. Luke
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Rural Dissemination: Bridging Research and Practice for Aging and Disability Services
A recorded webcast that discusses strategies to ensure aging and disability research reaches hard-to-reach and rural areas. Provides examples of rural research, dissemination methods, and collaborative efforts.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript, Webcast
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: Center on Knowledge Translation for Disability and Rehabilitation Research
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Initiating Research in Indian Country: Lessons From the Strong Heart Study
Discusses the process of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) initiating studies to examine cardiovascular disease in rural and remote areas, isolated populations, and sovereign nations. Discusses the steps in conducting research with a focus on building trust, transparent implementation, and mutual feedback and results sharing.
Author(s): Barbara V. Howard, Elisa T. Lee, Thomas K. Welty, Richard R. Fabsitz
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 04/2025
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An Updated Model of Rural Hospital Financial Distress
Discusses a potential model to predict financial distress in rural hospitals, including negative cash flow margin, negative equity, or closure of facility. Tests 2,311 rural hospitals from 2013 to 2019 with the model and discusses its potential to predict financial distress and create accurate assessments.
Author(s): Tyler L. Malone, George H. Pink, George M. Holmes
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 2025
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Braiding Research Approaches to Understand Home Visiting in Indigenous Communities
Provides a scoping review, research questions, and feedback from practitioners regarding Indigenous home visiting programs and Indigenous methodologies in home visiting research. Includes suggestions for research methodologies that incorporate cultural awareness and relationships in Indigenous communities.
Author(s): Natalie Moyer, Chelsea Wesner, Michelle Sarche, et al.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Administration for Children and Families, The Center for Indigenous Research Collaboration and Learning for Home Visiting
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