Rural Health
Research Gateway

Rural statistics and demographics

Current Projects

  • "Older, Sicker, Poorer": A Scoping Review of the Literature That Contributes to This Narrative on Rural Americans
    The investigators will conduct a scoping review of peer-reviewed literature to explore the contributive evidence that rural Americans are older, sicker, and poorer. The project will provide historical and context-setting perspectives on the factors that have led to this description and the extent to which it still holds true. The project will also identify literature gaps to inform future research.
    Research center: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Aging, Poverty, Rural statistics and demographics
  • Changes in Rural Health Insurance Coverage, 2019-2024
    This project uses secondary data sources to characterize changes in health insurance coverage during 2019-2024 for rural and urban people. The analysis will focus on changes associated with demographic, economic (particularly employment), and geographic characteristics, and will describe how exogenous changes (e.g., the economy, pandemic) as well as changes in federal policies impacted coverage.
    Research center: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
    Topics: Healthcare access, Healthcare financing, Medicaid and CHIP, Medicare, Private health insurance, Rural statistics and demographics, Social determinants of health, Uninsured and underinsured, Workforce
  • Geographic and Socio-Demographic Correlates of Medical Debt Among Rural Residents
    Medical debt is widespread and impacts financial well-being and access to care. While research suggests that medical debt is higher among rural residents compared to urban residents, more work is needed to conclusively demonstrate rural/urban differences in medical debt and within-rural risk factors for greater medical debt by geography and socio-demographic characteristics.
    Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Healthcare access, Poverty, Public health, Rural statistics and demographics, Social determinants of health
  • Geographic Misclassification of Cancer Care Physicians and Rural Cancer Care Service Delivery Patterns
    This study will examine the potential misclassification of rural cancer care capacity by quantifying the degree to which classification by primary practice location underestimates the availability of cancer care services in rural areas when urban-based physicians regularly cross geographic boundaries to serve rural populations.
    Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Cancer, Health services, Healthcare access, Physicians, Rural statistics and demographics, Workforce
  • Identifying High-Need Counties for Resource Planning
    The primary aim of this project is to use data examining health care infrastructure, chronic disease prevalence, and the socioeconomic environment to create a metric for classifying rural counties based on needs and resources.
    Research center: University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Diabetes, Healthcare access, Maternal health, Obesity, Oral health, Physicians, Poverty, Public health, Rural statistics and demographics, Social determinants of health, Uninsured and underinsured, Workforce
  • Impact of High Deductible Health Plans on Rural Populations
    Using data from Merative MarketScan insurance claims, this study will investigate utilization, spending, and care patterns of rural members enrolled in high deductible health plans (HDHP) compared to traditional plans. Trends in health outcomes before and after HDHP growth will be assessed to inform policy design tailored to rural residents.
    Research center: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
    Topics: Healthcare access, Healthcare financing, Private health insurance, Rural statistics and demographics
  • Improving Health for "Homebound" Older Adults in Rural and Urban Areas
    This project will describe rural-urban differences in the risk of, and characteristics associated with, being classified as "homebound." We will also identify policy and programmatic interventions to reduce the risk of becoming homebound as well as to improve outcomes for those who are homebound.
    Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Aging, Disabilities, Home health, Rural statistics and demographics, Social determinants of health
  • Oral Healthcare Utilization and Outcomes of Rural and Urban Medicaid-Insured Children in the United States
    Using nationally representative Medicaid claims data, this project will determine rural-urban differences in the prevalence of early childhood caries, preventative dental visits, and restorative dental visits.
    Research center: University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Children and adolescents, Medicaid and CHIP, Oral health, Rural statistics and demographics
  • 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 Poverty and Health: A Chartbook
    This chartbook will use nationally representative surveys and county-level data to provide a comprehensive overview of the health and well-being of rural Americans living in poverty.
    Research center: Maine Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health services, Healthcare access, Poverty, Rural statistics and demographics
  • 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
  • Socioeconomic Profiles and Market Characteristics Associated with Ambulance Deserts
    We will address the extent to which vulnerable, aging populations live in ambulance deserts and identify ambulance desert populations facing additional barriers to healthcare access. We will also assess the impact of hospital closures on travel distances to the nearest health care facilities.
    Research center: Maine Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Emergency medical services (EMS) and trauma, Healthcare access, Rural statistics and demographics, Social determinants of health, Transportation
  • The Rural Elderly Population: Demographics, Economic Status, Health Status, and Insurance Enrollment
    The project investigators will conduct a descriptive study to describe the demographics, economic status, health status, and insurance enrollment of the rural elderly population using data from nationally representative sources.
    Research center: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Aging, Private health insurance, Rural statistics and demographics
  • The Rural Landscape of Diabetes in the United States
    Rural-urban differences in diabetes and diabetes management may be attributed to socioeconomic differences and treatment available to rural residents. Using data from 2021-2023 National Health Interview Survey, this study will examine 1) rural-urban differences in diabetes and prediabetes incidence and prevalences, 2) rural-urban differences in the management, treatment, and complications associated with diabetes, and co-occurring risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
    Research center: University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Diabetes, Healthcare access, Rural statistics and demographics
  • Variation in Wages and Employment of Administrative Staff in Rural Hospitals and Nursing Homes
    This study examines employment levels and wages for administrative staff such as dietary, housekeeping, and maintenance workers across healthcare and non-healthcare settings in rural and urban areas.
    Research center: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
    Topics: Hospitals and clinics, Long-term care, Post-acute care, Rural statistics and demographics, Workforce