Rural Health
Research Gateway

Northeast Rural Health Research Center

Current Projects

  • Access to Treatment for Substance Use Disorders in Rural Areas: A Research Synthesis
    This project will produce a comprehensive research synthesis summarizing the current knowledge on rural substance use disorder treatment access that will be an informative asset to policy makers and researchers.
    Topics: Healthcare access, Substance use and treatment
  • Preventive Cancer Screenings and Behaviors Among Rural and Urban Populations
    This study examines rural use of preventive cancer screenings and related behaviors using BRFSS data. It will examine rural-urban differences in adherence to USPSTF guidelines for colorectal, breast, lung, and prostate cancer screening and explore associated behavioral risk factors.
    Topics: Cancer, Chronic diseases and conditions, Health promotion and disease prevention, Healthcare access, Public health, Rural statistics and demographics, Women
  • Rural Substance Use Disorder Prevalence and Treatment Access: A Chartbook
    This project will produce a chartbook on rural substance use disorder prevalence and perceived access to screening, treatment, and recovery resources.
    Topics: Healthcare access, Substance use and treatment
  • Rural-Urban Differences in Medicare Supplemental Insurance Coverage
    This study analyzes rural-urban differences in Medicare supplemental coverage using 2015-2024 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey data. It examines current patterns and trends in Medicare Advantage and Fee-for-Service supplemental enrollment, exploring demographic and health factors influencing coverage differences.
    Topics: Aging, Health services, Healthcare access, Healthcare financing, Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA), Rural statistics and demographics, Social determinants of health, Uninsured and underinsured
  • Rural-Urban Differences in Provider Counseling About Physical Activity Among U.S. Adults
    This study examines rural-urban differences in health professional counseling about physical activity among U.S. adults, using NHIS data (2020-2024). It explores how advice relates to meeting activity guidelines and whether differences vary by age, chronic condition prevalence, and other factors.
    Topics: Children and adolescents, Chronic diseases and conditions, Health promotion and disease prevention, Healthcare access, Obesity, Physicians, Public health
  • The Impact of Chronic Pain on the Functional Wellbeing of Rural Residents
    Research indicates that rural adults experience chronic pain at higher rates than urban adults. This study uses National Health Interview Survey data to examine rural-urban differences in chronic pain impacts on functioning, quality of life, and treatment use.
    Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Healthcare access, Mental and behavioral health, Public health, Social determinants of health, Substance use and treatment
  • The Intersection of Nursing Home, Health Care, and Ambulance Deserts: Implications for Aging in Place
    This project will examine rural-urban variation in health care infrastructure in 41 states to assess the implications for rural aging of post-acute and long-term care deserts (e.g., lack of skilled nursing facilities and/or swing beds and long-term services provided by nursing homes) combined with ambulance and other health care deserts.
    Topics: Aging, Emergency medical services (EMS) and trauma, Healthcare access, Home health, Long-term care