A new study in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons reveals that 15 million Americans live in a county with no general surgeon, with 951 counties having no surgeon in any of 12 surgical specialties. The study provides an interactive data visualization tool for patients, clinicians, and policymakers to access county-level data.
The US will face a shortage of nearly 28,000 surgeons by 2038, with the greatest shortfalls in vascular surgery, ophthalmology, thoracic surgery, and plastic surgery. Rural areas are projected to have even worse gaps in the workforce, leading to longer waits for procedures and increased travel distances for medical care.
A study found that lower birth volume, unprofitability, and for-profit status are risk factors for loss of hospital-based obstetric care in rural and urban hospitals. Many hospitals may be at high risk for future closure, highlighting the need for improved obstetric care infrastructure in rural areas.
A cross-sectional study found that US physicians with a rural background and training experience in rural settings are more likely to practice in rural locations. The study assessed the interdependence of these factors on rural practice among US physicians.
The study demonstrates that biosphere reserves in the Western Amazon effectively prevent deforestation compared to similar areas. Transition areas and buffer zones are particularly effective in conserving biodiversity.
The American College of Cardiology introduces a new cardiogenic shock designation to address deadly gaps in heart attack care. The new designation aims to standardize protocols and improve outcomes for patients with life-threatening complications of a heart attack, particularly in underserved areas.
A new study suggests that chronic stress, obesity, and diet are major factors contributing to the growing rural-urban mortality gap. Researchers analyzed data from over 66,000 people across a 20-year span and found that rural health disadvantages exist across various adult populations. The study highlights the need for policies and pro...
A study found that foreign direct investments raise employment by 13-16% in rural US counties, but have no significant impact on local incomes. However, higher wage growth and expanded housing supply are often observed in areas with increased FDI.
Researchers have identified high rates of overweight/obesity (82%) and hypertension (higher than statewide average) in Franklin Parish, with income levels linked to lower hypertension rates. Older residents are also more likely to have undiagnosed high cholesterol and diabetes.
A cohort study found that mid-urbanicity neighborhoods had the highest dementia mortality rates, while dense urban cores and rural areas showed lower risks. The study suggests targeted improvements in neighborhood conditions could reduce dementia mortality and promote equity.
A recent analysis found that rural US Veterans with serious mental illness (SMI) are more likely to have co-occurring conditions but less likely to receive SMI care. Rural Veterans also face challenges in accessing telehealth and multidisciplinary care.
The Konstanz 'Village Lab' project will create an interdisciplinary programme on democracy in rural areas, providing students with hands-on experience. The four-year project aims to prepare students for active roles in shaping democratic processes and strengthening societal dialogue between the university and local regions.
A pilot study by researchers at the University of California, Riverside found that a culturally adapted health program helped low-income Latina and Indigenous Mexican women make healthier changes in their daily lives. The program, led by trusted community health workers called promotoras, focused on nutrition education, healthy cooking...
The RESINA project, launched by three Spanish universities, aims to identify and transfer sustainable ways of living from rural Spain. The project will document practices based on neighbourly cooperation, agroecology, and communal resource management, making them publicly available through an Open Methodological Toolkit.
A systematic review of point-of-care testing found that rapid tests improve people's understanding of their condition, increase confidence in self-management, and motivate lifestyle changes. This leads to better medication adherence and improved clinical markers, ultimately reducing the risk of serious complications.
A nationwide study found no significant association between telemedicine adoption and changes in US ambulatory visits or total medical spending. The expansion of telemedicine has eased concerns about increased utilization and spending, as the growth did not lead to large increases in these areas.
The RURAL Cohort Study aims to understand why residents of rural communities experience higher rates of heart, lung, and blood-related diseases, as well as shorter life expectancy and less-than-optimal overall health outcomes. The study uses a custom-built mobile examination unit to bring research directly to the community doorstep.
The study found that out-of-state Chicago Abortion Fund callers traveled more than 3 times the distance to Illinois after Dobbs compared to before. These callers were also more likely to have private or no insurance, be from rural areas, and receive hospital-based care during their pregnancy.
Researchers developed Plan & Protect, a technology-guided safety planning program for rural youth with suicidality seeking care in emergency departments. The program aims to enhance accessibility and usability of safety planning in resource-limited settings, supporting more effective crisis care for adolescents in rural communities.
A study of 19,711 Chinese students aged 6–16 found that rural children are more likely to experience emotional and psychological problems, while urban children exhibit behavioral symptoms. The findings highlight the need for region-specific interventions to address unique challenges.
Researchers found that men with a 'country' identity showed distinct vowel patterns in their pronunciations, different from those living in neighboring areas. Country identity was more robustly linked to language patterns than travel patterns.
A new study led by Dartmouth Cancer Center identifies key barriers to timely head and neck cancer treatment in rural areas, including transportation and caregiver challenges. The research highlights the importance of dedicated staff, strong community ties, and peer support in navigating the complexity of cancer care.
The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology is enrolling adolescent and young adult cancer patients in various trials, including genetic services and treatment studies. These trials aim to address longstanding gaps in care and improve outcomes for AYAs with cancer.
A recent study published by Pennington Biomedical Research Center has shed light on the key drivers of chronic disease in Assumption Parish. The research found that residents with lower education levels are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity. This correlation suggests a strong link between edu...
A national study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that breast cancer stage at diagnosis differs sharply across rural US regions, with geographic, racial, and insurance factors influencing stage. The study analyzed data from 52,287 rural women diagnosed with breast cancer between 2004 and 2021, revealin...
A study found that consistent routines in the home can reduce the likelihood of children struggling with school transitions, but harsh parenting can undermine these benefits. Parents who demonstrated flexibility in their parenting style were less likely to parent harshly.
The GRACE project co-develops, tests, and scales climate adaptation solutions with local communities in 10 European regions. It addresses diverse climate challenges through community-led adaptation, digital tools, and capacity-building, ensuring locally relevant and transferable solutions.
A global study documents the collective ecological memory of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, revealing a consistent pattern of large-bodied bird species disappearing from local environments replaced by smaller-bodied species, with average bird mass declining from 1500g to 535g over eight decades.
Access to higher-level neonatal care is limited at rural birth hospitals, where less than 20% offer this care compared to 74% of urban hospitals. Urban birth hospitals are expanding higher-level neonatal care, exacerbating geographic disparities in access to care for high-risk infants.
A new study published in Nature found that hunter-gatherers in Belgium and the Netherlands adopted farming thousands of years later than elsewhere in Europe. The research suggests that migrant women played a pivotal role in introducing farming practices, bringing their knowledge and genes to the local communities.
A new analysis found that rural cancer patients treated locally have similar surgical outcomes to those who traveled to urban facilities. The study used Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data from Medicare-eligible patients with lung or colon cancer, aged 65 or older, residing in rural areas.
A study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that psychosocial factors like motivation, confidence, and social support are strongly linked to diet quality among rural adults. Participants with higher scores in these areas consumed more fruits, vegetables, and fiber, and fewer ultraprocessed foods.
SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 5, 2026
The study examines the characterization of the international-born health care workforce in rural US communities. It highlights the Conrad 30 waiver program, which enabled thousands of J-1 visa holders to remain in the US, caring for approximately 44 million patients, and H1-B visas as additional vehicles for immigrant clinicians.
Commercially insured patients frequently bypass rural hospitals between 2012 and 2021, generating large payments for receiving hospitals. The findings highlight the need for addressing this issue to alleviate financial distress on rural healthcare facilities.
Recent research reveals that volcanic eruptions can cause unpredictable weather patterns, including volcanic rain, dust storms, and unstable Antarctic air. The study also found that the Antarctic surface atmosphere has become less stable and more prone to gravity waves since the 1950s.
Chronic pain prevalence differs between rural and urban adult cancer survivors, with rural areas showing higher rates despite having fewer resources. Limited access to pain specialists and insurance challenges contribute to these disparities.
New research from UT Arlington highlights critical gaps in forensic nursing and the challenges rural nurses face in becoming certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE). With limited resources and low case volume in rural areas, tele-mentoring is proposed as a possible solution to support newly trained SANEs.
The grant aims to increase individual screenings and change how health systems embed evidence-based screening practices into everyday operations. PA-CARES will work with trusted organizations in 28 counties with the lowest screening rates to implement effective screening options and facilitate timely linkage to care.
The Mapping the Digital Gap report found that three in four First Nations people living in remote communities are digitally excluded, facing barriers to accessing and using online services. Despite an 8.7 point improvement in digital ability for First Nations people in very remote communities, the gap remains significant.
A randomized clinical trial found that home hospital care in rural settings resulted in improved patient activity and experience, but not in reduced costs or readmissions. Late transfers to home likely attenuated the intervention's effect on cost outcomes.
A nationwide study reveals an 11% decline in rural family physicians from 2017 to 2023, with the Northeast experiencing the greatest loss. The proportion of female rural family physicians increased during this period, further highlighting the need for strategies to address the ongoing shortage.
A new study reveals that social determinants of health have a significant impact on rural–urban differences in colorectal cancer mortality rates. The research found that low socioeconomic status, household characteristics, and racial/ethnic minority status were key drivers of these disparities.
A University of California, Riverside-led study found a community-based health program improving lifestyle changes in low-income, rural Latinas. The program, ¡Coma, Muévase y Viva!, combined health education, cooking demos, and exercise, resulting in increased healthy habits, weight loss, and improved chronic disease management.
A new UTA study investigates the effectiveness of the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) program in addressing healthcare disparities between rural and urban areas. The research reveals that despite initial enthusiasm, five hospitals have converted to REH status but one closed entirely just nine months later due to financial challenges.
West Virginia University researchers are working with local partners to stop drug use in youth before it starts. They will expand an existing pilot project to encompass 140 schools in 36 rural counties, tailored to individual community needs.
A new study found that public greenspaces are lacking in many American communities, with some groups facing significant barriers to access. The research highlights the need for more inclusive park planning and distribution to ensure equal benefits for all residents.
A pilot program at University of Missouri-Columbia's emergency department connects rural families with community resources, improving their health and stability. Nearly half of participating families reported unmet essential needs, with food insecurity being the most common.
Rural patients face significantly longer emergency medical services call times due to limited access to specialized trauma centers. High-acuity activations are more common in rural areas, resulting in extended transport times.
The October issue of Journal of Counseling & Development features research on rural counseling competencies and high-quality studies on athlete career profiles. The journal publishes practice, theory, and research articles across various professional counseling specialty areas.
The American Counseling Association has launched the Counseling Compact, enabling thousands of professional counselors to practice across state lines. This mutual recognition model allows counselors to work in person or via telehealth, providing access to mental health services for millions of Americans.
The University of Arizona and University of New Mexico received a $43.6 million NIH grant to support translational science and training for early-career researchers. The partnership aims to translate research discoveries into improved patient care, with a focus on substance use disorders and rural health initiatives.
Researchers analyzed data from 33,183 individuals and found that minimally invasive approach was associated with lower complication risks compared to open surgery. This study suggests that expanded use of minimally invasive surgery in rural areas may help bridge the gap between rural and urban patients with colon cancer.
A new study found that the end of COVID-era federal funding led to a significant increase in uninsured children visiting emergency departments in Texas, with 45.2% more visits than before. The share of commercially insured patients also rose 12.5%, while Medicaid-insured visits declined by 11.7%.
Food insecurity is associated with increased caregiver stress and household instability in rural families. The study highlights the negative impact of food insecurity on child mental health, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to support vulnerable populations.
Only 4 in 10 US retail pharmacies carry buprenorphine, a highly effective opioid addiction treatment, with disparities persisting in minority neighborhoods. Tight pharmacy regulations discourage pharmacies from carrying the treatment, limiting access to vulnerable communities.
A new report from RMIT University and the University of Canberra proposes that local news organisations must adapt to their audiences' shifting news habits. The report recommends embracing community-driven content, including hyperlocal news, human-interest stories, and practical information.
The American Heart Association has extended its Rural Health Care Outcomes Accelerator program until 2028, expanding access to cardiovascular care and quality improvement resources for over 1,000 rural hospitals. This extension aims to address the significant disparities in health outcomes between urban and rural communities.
Women in counties with low cervical cancer screening rates experience nearly double the rate of cervical cancer diagnoses, particularly late-stage disease, and death. Timely screening can identify precancerous lesions for removal before they develop into cancer.
A cohort study found that hospitals with poor financial health were less likely to provide essential perinatal services. This disparity was more pronounced in Southern and rural regions.
Researchers at Emory University developed two affordable programs to prevent youth substance misuse: Connect Kits for Family Action and Connect Brief Intervention. A randomized trial found that these programs reduced alcohol and other substance use among high school students in rural Oklahoma.