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Rural Communities

Rural communities face unique social and economic challenges. The National Academies explore strategies to improve access to healthcare, education, and infrastructure in rural areas.

What's happening

Improving Diagnosis in Rural Communities

Feature Story

People who live in rural communities often face additional hurdles in accessing health care, which can hinder timely diagnosis and treatment of illness. A recent National Academies workshop explored these challenges and ways to improve diagnostic care in rural America.

Nov 12, 2025

Doctors talking with senior male patient in CAT scan room. Surgeon discussing MRI scan results with senior man in hospital.

Rural Areas Offer Unique Opportunities for STEM Education, But Targeted Resources, Connectivity, and Training Needed

News Release

Rural areas offer unique opportunities for science, technology, engineering, and math education. A new report offers a road map for increasing access to STEM learning experiences for students in rural communities and supporting STEM workforce development.

Dec 11, 2024

Children (6-7) on trip in wheat field

Featured work

NextGen Oil Spill Research Community of Practice and Webinar Series

Educational/Outreach Activity

Featured Publications

Real-Time Warnings and Variable Speed Limits: Safety and Travel Reliability During Weather Events

2026

Evaluating the Impacts of Real-Time Warnings and Variable Speed Limits on Safety and Travel Reliability During Weather Events

2026

Integrating Transportation Systems Management and Operations into Transportation Asset Management: An Orientation

2026

Integrating Transportation Systems Management and Operations into Transportation Asset Management: A Guide

2026

Public Transit and Ride Sharing for Rural, Tribal, and Frontier Agencies: A Guide

2026

Upcoming events

Climate Conversations: Brain Health

Webinar

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Past

May 28, 2026

3:00 PM - 4:15 PM (EDT)

Neuron system.

TRB Webinar: Can Rural Microtransit Work?

Webinar

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Past

June 15, 2026

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (EDT)

Reenvisioning the Future of STEM Research at Emerging Research Institutions: A Summit

Summit

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Upcoming

September 1 - 2, 2026

Rear view of two university students walk down campus stairs at sunset.

Units

Social and Economic Systems Program Area

Oversight Unit

Happy and smiling multiracial family with grandparents by the beach in New England

National Cooperative Highway Research Program

Oversight Unit

Transit Cooperative Research Program

Oversight Unit

Health Care and Public Health Program Area

Oversight Unit

Extensive series of patients, doctors and nurses of various ages and ethnicities in a modern exam room.

Used for: A Long COVID Definition
A Chronic, Systemic Disease State with Profound Consequences

Technical Activities Division

Oversight Unit

Gulf Research Program

Oversight Unit

Forum on Drug Discovery, Development, and Translation

Roundtable/Forum

Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Disasters and Emergencies

Roundtable/Forum

Committee on Population

Standing Committee

Roundtable on Environmental Health Sciences, Research, and Medicine

Roundtable/Forum

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