Rural Health
Research Gateway

Rural statistics and demographics

Completed Projects

Listed by project completion date. You can also view these projects alphabetically.

2024

  • Assessment of the Area Deprivation Index in Rural Areas
    The Area Deprivation Index (ADI) was created by University of Wisconsin researchers to provide a score for neighborhoods based on their level of disadvantage. This study characterized differences in ADI in rural vs urban areas, summarized the existing literature on ADI, and described expert considerations for utilizing the ADI for future policy.
    Research center: Rural Health Equity Research Center
    Topics: Frontier health, Health disparities and health equity, Poverty, Rural statistics and demographics, Social determinants of health
  • Housing as a Social Determinant of Rural Health
    The purpose of this project was to identify rural/urban and within-rural differences in housing quality and its relationship to health and disability status, especially for individuals living in poverty. We also identified rural-specific housing issues and innovative policy solutions to address housing challenges in order to improve rural health.
    Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Disabilities, Environmental and agricultural health, Health disparities and health equity, Poverty, Public health, Rural statistics and demographics, Social determinants of health
  • Rural Premiums, Issuer Participation, and Enrollment in Health Insurance Marketplaces: An Updated Analysis
    The project described variations in Health Insurance Marketplace plan design and availability, total and net-of-subsidy premium trends, and enrollment over time between rural and urban areas and identified associations between these factors and several key policy differences and changes, controlling for economic and demographic variation.
    Research center: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
    Topics: Health disparities and health equity, Health reform, Healthcare access, Private health insurance, Rural statistics and demographics, Uninsured and underinsured

2023

  • Ambulance Deserts: Addressing Geographic Disparities in the Provision of Ambulance Services
    This two-year study aimed to identify geographic disparities in accessing ambulance services by building a database of ambulance service locations in year one and identifying and creating maps of ambulance deserts within each of the states in year two.
    Research center: Maine Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Emergency medical services (EMS) and trauma, Healthcare access, Rural statistics and demographics, Transportation
  • Excess Deaths Associated with COVID-19 in Rural Communities
    Quantifying excess deaths associated with the COVID-19 pandemic can provide a more complete measure of the total burden of the pandemic on mortality. While the National Center for Health Statistics maintains an online dashboard of U.S. excess deaths associated with the COVID-19 pandemic overall and by race/ethnicity and age, excess deaths by rurality of residence are not tabulated and this project aims to fill that gap.
    Research center: Maine Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Rural statistics and demographics
  • Following the Money: Do Block Grant Resources Reach Rural Communities?
    This project applied a mixed methods design to describe the distribution of block grant resources from federal agencies through states to the local level in rural and non-rural communities in the United States. Findings could guide federal agencies and policy makers to develop strategies to more effectively target block grant resources to ensure that the needs of vulnerable rural populations are addressed.
    Research center: Rural Health Equity Research Center
    Topics: Health services, Healthcare financing, Public health, Rural statistics and demographics
  • Improving Racial Equity for Rural Mothers and Infants
    The purpose of this project was to assess differences in maternal and infant health outcomes and access to perinatal care, among urban and rural counties. We also compared health outcomes and availability of services, including evidence-based services and supports, between rural counties that are majority Black, Indigenous, and People of Color with those that are majority white.
    Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: American Indians and Alaska Natives, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Health disparities and health equity, Healthcare access, Hospitals and clinics, Maternal health, Minority health, Rural statistics and demographics, Social determinants of health, Women
  • Rural/Urban Differences in Health and Health Care Access for LGBT Adults
    The purpose of this project was to identify rural/urban differences in health and health care access for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) adults. We also identified within-rural differences among LGBT adults by race, ethnicity, age, disability status, and socio-economic status. Finally, we identified examples of best practices supporting LGBT health and wellness in rural areas.
    Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Aging, Cancer, Disabilities, Health disparities and health equity, Healthcare access, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ+), Mental and behavioral health, Minority health, Poverty, Rural statistics and demographics, Social determinants of health
  • The Direct Care Workforce in Rural Areas
    In this study, we measured the supply of long-term care services and supports (LTSS) direct care workers relative to older adult populations in rural and urban areas and measure employer and industry turnover among LTSS direct care workers. We also explored how compensation levels – including wages and employer-based health insurance – are related to and predict worker turnover in the LTSS direct care workforce in rural and urban areas.
    Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Aging, Allied health professionals, Health services, Home health, Long-term care, Post-acute care, Poverty, Rural statistics and demographics, Social determinants of health, Workforce

2022

  • Northern Border Regional Commission State and Region Chartbooks: A Health-Focused Landscape Analysis
    The aim of this study was to compile the most recent publicly available data related to health and healthcare access at the county-level and state-level for the Norther Border Region and the individual states: ME, NH, VT, and NY. We highlighted counties with worse health outcomes, as compared to the rest of the counties in the region.
    Research center: Maine Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), Rural statistics and demographics, Social determinants of health, Substance use and treatment, Telehealth, Uninsured and underinsured, Workforce
  • Rural and Urban Variation in Family Physicians' Demographics and Practices
    This project examined changes in personal demographics of family physicians comparing urban and rural areas, how these changes aligned with those of the populations they serve, and how rural physician practices have changed over time. This project used American Board of Family Medicine data.
    Research center: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
    Topics: Health disparities and health equity, Minority health, Physicians, Rural statistics and demographics

2021

  • The Current Distribution of the General Surgery Workforce in Rural America
    This project described the current national supply and distribution of general surgeons in rural vs. urban areas of the United States as well as geographic variability in the supply of general surgeons across the rural/urban and intra-rural dimensions at the regional level.
    Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Health services, Healthcare access, Hospitals and clinics, Physicians, Rural statistics and demographics, Workforce

2020

  • Community Context and Rural Strategies to Support the Oldest Old
    This project developed a chartbook profiling older adults (65 and older) in rural areas and assessed where rural residents ages 85 and older were most likely to live, what rural counties had experienced the fastest growth of those 85 and older, and what strategies were in place or were possible for supporting this population in aging in place.
    Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Aging, Hospice and palliative care, Long-term care, Rural statistics and demographics
  • Disparities in Preventive Care by Race and Ethnicity Among Rural Adults
    The purpose of this project is to identify differences in access to and use of preventive care by race and ethnicity among rural residents. Results from this project will identify racial/ethnic disparities that exist within rural communities and may guide targeted interventions to improve equity and increase access to high-quality healthcare for all rural residents.
    Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health disparities and health equity, Healthcare access, Hispanics, Minority health, Rural statistics and demographics
  • Team-Based Primary Care in Rural Communities
    This project will describe primary care practice structure in rural communities and quantify characteristics of primary care teams associated with high-quality care.
    Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Allied health professionals, Healthcare access, Nurses and nurse practitioners, Physicians, Quality, Rural statistics and demographics, Workforce

2019

  • Analysis of Trends in Characteristics of Rural Beneficiaries Enrolling in Medicare Advantage Plans
    This study compared characteristics of rural and urban beneficiaries enrolling in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, including their age, health status, income, and race/ethnicity. We analyzed the consequences of increasing use, promoted by policy choices, of a market-based approach in the Medicare program.
    Research center: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
    Topics: Medicare Advantage (MA), Rural statistics and demographics
  • Social Determinants of Health Among Minority Populations in Rural America
    This project compiled information from the U.S. Census, the Area Health Resource File, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation County Rankings data set into a comprehensive summary of key social determinants of health among rural populations: demographic characteristics, economic characteristics, health facility availability, and selected health outcomes.
    Research center: Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Topics: American Indians and Alaska Natives, Hispanics, Minority health, Rural statistics and demographics, Social determinants of health

2018

  • Characteristics and Utilization Patterns of Rural Medicaid Recipients
    This study used the Medicaid Analytic Extract file to examine the characteristics of persons enrolled in Medicaid by type of eligibility. The study also examined overall utilization and total payments for this utilization. All estimates were subset by rurality and region.
    Research center: Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Topics: Medicaid and CHIP, Rural statistics and demographics
  • Rural Demography and Aging: The LTSS Imperative in Rural America
    The project created a current, broad-ranging, detailed profile of healthcare/LTSS needs and used patterns among rural and urban older adults through a literature review and analysis of data sets including the American Community Survey, the Area Health Resource File, and the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey.
    Research center: Maine Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Aging, Rural statistics and demographics

2017

  • Knowledge of Health Insurance Concepts and the Affordable Care Act Among Rural Residents
    Using the Health Reform Monitoring Survey (HRMS), this project will produce two briefs examining rural-urban comparisons in insurance status, open enrollment knowledge and perceptions, and perceived affordability of coverage available through the Health Insurance Marketplaces.
    Research center: Maine Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health reform, Private health insurance, Rural statistics and demographics
  • The Financial and Community Experience of Sole Community Hospitals in Comparison to Other Rural Hospitals
    This research will investigate the financial and community experience of Sole Community Hospitals (SCHs) in comparison with other rural hospitals. The availability of alternative facilities, and the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of SCH service areas will be compared to other rural hospital service areas.
    Research center: North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
    Topics: Hospitals and clinics, Medicare, Medicare Prospective Payment System (PPS), Rural statistics and demographics

2016

  • Quality Measures and Sociodemographic Risk Factors: The Rural Environmental Context
    For three acute care conditions/diagnoses (potential examples include diabetes, congestive heart failure, COPD), this study will (1) identify the key socio-demographic variables that may affect quality adjustment for rural populations/providers; (2) identify data sources/strategies available for the above variables; and (3) identify the quality measures (e.g. readmission rates) that should be adjusted for socio-demographic variables for rural populations/providers and estimate the potential impact of those adjustments on quality measurement.
    Research center: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Diabetes, Quality, Rural statistics and demographics

2009

  • Chartbook: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Health of Rural Populations
    This study will provide a cross-sectional, descriptive study that uses large, nationally representative data sets to illustrate health and health care among rural populations. The data sets to be used include the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, the 2005 National Health Interview Survey, and the Area Resource File.
    Research center: Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Topics: Health disparities and health equity, Minority health, Rural statistics and demographics

2008

  • Chartbook: Oral Health and Unmet Needs for Dental Care Among Children
    This study will characterize oral health status, dental care utilization, and unmet dental care needs among U.S. children by urban/rural residence. It will provide a descriptive analysis, using cross-sectional data from the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health.
    Research center: Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Topics: Children and adolescents, Health disparities and health equity, Oral health, Rural statistics and demographics
  • National Study of Substance Abuse Prevalence and Treatment Services in Rural Areas
    This project will research the prevalence of the abuse of legal and illegal substances across rural populations and geographic areas, including the extent to which rural individuals are receiving treatment for their substance abuse and barriers to the receipt of treatment.
    Research center: Maine Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Health disparities and health equity, Health services, Rural statistics and demographics, Substance use and treatment

2007

  • Burden of Asthma Among Rural Residents: A National Study
    This study uses data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to examine the prevalence of and trends in asthma among rural residents by type of geographic location and by key risk factors.
    Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Health disparities and health equity, Minority health, Rural statistics and demographics
  • Chartbook: Obesity in Urban and Rural Children
    By providing a descriptive analysis of the disparities of childhood obesity by residence, socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity, the study will offer important information about the needs of children and adolescents living in rural areas and from families of low socioeconomic status.
    Research center: Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Topics: Children and adolescents, Obesity, Rural statistics and demographics
  • State Facts about Medicaid: Rural Specific Data
    This project will develop state-specific fact sheets which will include information on the groups covered (and income eligibility), structure of the state's SCHIP program, services covered, delivery system, some provider payment information for certain safety net providers, and percentage of the state's rural and urban population that are enrolled in Medicaid. Additional information comparing urban and rural areas of the state will be provided, when available. The rural and urban comparisons will include total numbers of Medicaid recipients, Medicaid expenditures, and enrollment in different types of managed care plans.
    Research center: North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
    Topics: Medicaid and CHIP, Rural statistics and demographics
  • U.S. Hospitalizations for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions: A Rural/Urban Comparison
    This project will assess trends, patterns, and predictors of hospitalizations for three ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) (i.e., uncontrolled diabetes, bacterial pneumonia, and pediatric asthma) among rural and urban residents in the United States. The study will involve the examination of 2003 HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample data.
    Research center: FORHP-funded Individual Grantees
    Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Diabetes, Rural statistics and demographics

2006

  • Impact of Health Insurance Coverage on Native Elder Health: Implications for Addressing the Health Care Needs of Rural American Indian Elders
    This project examined the types of health insurance coverage of rural Native American elders ages 55 and older, and examine how different types of health insurance coverage and lack of health insurance coverage impact access to health care services among Native American elders by geographic location (rural frontier, rural non-frontier and urban).
    Research center: Upper Midwest Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Aging, American Indians and Alaska Natives, Frontier health, Healthcare access, Minority health, Private health insurance, Rural statistics and demographics, Uninsured and underinsured
  • Pharmaceutical Data Validity in Estimating Rural Population Health
    This project will allow for the quantification of variation in morbidity (via prescription use) across rural areas; identify locations that might be at risk for stunted economic development due to high levels of chronic illness in the working population; and potentially lead to the development of a valid and reliable measure of county-level rates of chronic illness using prescription data as a proxy.
    Research center: FORHP-funded Individual Grantees
    Topics: Cancer, Chronic diseases and conditions, Diabetes, Pharmacy and prescription drugs, Public health, Rural statistics and demographics
  • Rapid and Flexible Analysis of Data from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
    Project staff will provide rapid and flexible analysis of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) data in response to requests from Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP) staff. Work will be ongoing throughout the contract year, with the design of individual products determined in response to ORHP staff needs.
    Research center: North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
    Topics: Medicare, Rural statistics and demographics

2005

  • Disability Burdens Among Rural and Urban Older Americans
    This project will use the 1994-2000 Second Longitudinal Study of Aging to develop detailed estimates of healthy, disabled, and total life expectancy among rural and urban populations. We will develop and compare the estimates between women and men, by race/ethnicity, and across differing levels of education.
    Research center: Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Topics: Aging, Disabilities, Health disparities and health equity, Long-term care, Rural statistics and demographics
  • Rural Minority Health: A Comprehensive Assessment
    This study will profile demographics of rural African Americans by region of the U.S.; describe clinical problems prevalent in rural African American populations; explore available health care facilities and practitioners in rural areas; investigate outpatient treatment provided to rural African American populations by type of practitioner; explore expenditures for health care among rural African Americans by region of the U.S.; and determine barriers to care such as insurance, provider availability, and health beliefs and behaviors.
    Research center: Rural and Minority Health Research Center
    Topics: Health disparities and health equity, Minority health, Rural statistics and demographics

2004

  • Nursing Home Quality: A Comparison between Rural and Non-Rural Nursing Homes
    The research examines the effect of location (rural/non-rural) on the characteristics of nursing homes and residents, and on various indicators of quality of care.
    Research center: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
    Topics: Long-term care, Quality, Rural statistics and demographics
  • Prevalence of Chronic Disease and the Degree of Rurality of American Indian Elders in a Nationally Representative Sample of 100 Tribes
    This project will determine if there are differences in prevalence of chronic disease in American Indian elders across age groups in urban vs. rural vs. frontier counties. Moderating factors of chronic disease will also be examined including health damaging behaviors, access to health care services and providers and degree of functional limitation.
    Research center: FORHP-funded Individual Grantees
    Topics: Aging, American Indians and Alaska Natives, Chronic diseases and conditions, Frontier health, Long-term care, Minority health, Rural statistics and demographics

2003

2002

2001

  • Describing the Health Care Infrastructure in Rural Towns
    Research center: North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
    Topics: Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Hospitals and clinics, Physician assistants, Physicians, Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), Rural statistics and demographics