Journal of Rural Health

Aims & Scope

The Journal of Rural Health, a quarterly journal published by the NRHA, offers a variety of original research relevant and important to rural health.

Some examples include evaluations, case studies, and analyses related to health status and behavior, as well as to health work force, policy and access issues.

Quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods studies are welcome.

Highest priority is given to manuscripts that reflect scholarly quality, demonstrate methodological rigor, and emphasize practical implications.

The journal also publishes articles with an international rural health perspective, commentaries, book reviews and letters.

View Aims & Scope

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Metrics & Ranking

Impact Factor

Year	Value
2025	2.7
2024	3.10

SJR (SCImago Journal Rank)

Year	Value
2024	1.609

Quartile

Year	Value
2024	Q1

h-index

Year	Value
2024	74

Journal Rank

Year	Value
2024	2117

Journal Citation Indicator

Year	Value
2024	1205

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Abstracting & Indexing

Journal is indexed in leading academic databases, ensuring global visibility and accessibility of our peer-reviewed research.

• Scopus
• Google Scholar
• Web of Science

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Subjects & Keywords

Journal’s research areas, covering key disciplines and specialized sub-topics in Medicine, designed to support cutting-edge academic discovery.

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Most Cited Articles

The Most Cited Articles section features the journal's most impactful research, based on citation counts. These articles have been referenced frequently by other researchers, indicating their significant contribution to their respective fields.

• Prevalence of Obesity Among Adults From Rural and Urban Areas of the United States: Findings From NHANES (2005‐2008)

  Citation: 418

  Authors: Christie A., Niaman, Michael G.

• Task‐Sharing Approaches to Improve Mental Health Care in Rural and Other Low‐Resource Settings: A Systematic Review

  Citation: 393

  Authors: Theresa J., John C., Vikram, Jürgen

• Differences in Rural and Urban Health Information Access and Use

  Citation: 370

  Authors: Xuewei, Heather, Jennifer L., Erika A., Elizabeth, Yuelin, Marc T.

• Geographic Access to Health Care for Rural Medicare Beneficiaries

  Citation: 366

  Authors: Leighton, L. Gary, David C.

• Access to Transportation and Health Care Utilization in a Rural Region

  Citation: 325

  Authors: Thomas A., John S., Wilbert M., James M.

• Rural Healthy People 2020: New Decade, Same Challenges

  Citation: 323

  Authors: Jane N., Gail R., Alva O., Ann M., Bita A., Avery, Janet W.

• Perceived Barriers to Health Care Access Among Rural Older Adults: A Qualitative Study

  Citation: 278

  Authors: R. Turner, Kimberly A., Mary W., S. Melinda, Tatiana

• The Rising Rate of Rural Hospital Closures

  Citation: 268

  Authors: Brystana G., Sharita R., Randy K., Julie R., Kristie W., George M., George H.

• Obesity and Physical Inactivity in Rural America

  Citation: 256

  Authors: Paul Daniel, Charity G., Janice C., Judith Ann

• Geographic Distribution of Providers With a DEA Waiver to Prescribe Buprenorphine for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder: A 5‐Year Update

  Citation: 245

  Authors: C. Holly A., Tessa E., Davis G., Eric H.

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