The Colorado Rural Health Center has released its 2026 Snapshot of Rural Health, the most comprehensive edition to date with a 42% increase in content over the previous year's report. This annual publication provides detailed analysis of rural health data including demographic trends, chronic disease patterns, healthcare delivery systems, substance use, and economic factors affecting rural Colorado communities.
The 2026 edition represents the largest volume in the report's history, analyzing 29 different topics and featuring 55 maps in a visually accessible format. New sections this year examine New Americans in Colorado, recent federal changes impacting Medicaid, medication assisted treatment programs, and mental health within agricultural communities. The 148-page document includes rigorous citations and data visualization tools designed for education, advocacy, and grant writing purposes.
"At CRHC, the annual release of the Snapshot starts our year off rooted in data," said Colorado Rural Health Center CEO Michelle Mills. "We seek to provide a resource that helps decisions to be made with comprehensive data and analysis of what's working and what's not in the rural healthcare delivery system." The organization collects and analyzes data through its Public Health Data Specialist, with all facts in the report being easily traceable through a comprehensive citations page.
The report's significance extends beyond data collection, serving as a foundation for policy discussions at both state and national levels. Mills and other CRHC staff will travel to Washington DC February 10-12 to participate in the National Rural Health Association's Rural Health Policy Institute, where they will meet with Colorado's senators and representatives. The Snapshot provides critical evidence to inform these legislative discussions about healthcare priorities and solutions for rural communities.
As Colorado's State Office of Rural Health and member-based association for rural health facilities, CRHC functions as a clearinghouse for rural health information and resources. The organization helps healthcare providers enhance services in rural communities while assisting elected officials in making informed policy decisions. The free distribution of the report aligns with CRHC's vision of improving healthcare access and quality for all rural Coloradans.
The complete Snapshot of Rural Health is available for download at https://coruralhealth.org/snapshot-of-rural-health, while additional resources can be accessed through the CRHC resource center at http://coruralhealth.org/resources. This data-rich report comes at a critical time as rural healthcare systems face ongoing challenges including provider shortages, infrastructure limitations, and unique population health needs that require evidence-based solutions.
