Rural Health
Resources by State: Alaska
Health Care Use Preceding Suicide by Firearm Compared with Suicide by Other Means — Alaska, Colorado, and Washington, 2020–2022
Discusses use of healthcare services, including mental health services, in the year prior to suicide for those who died by firearm versus other means, based on data from three healthcare organizations in Alaska, Colorado, and Washington. Includes the number of suicides by location of residence for rural, suburban, and urban areas.
Author(s): Julie E. Angerhofer, Maricela Cruz, Jennifer Shaw, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 74(21), 365-371
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Discusses use of healthcare services, including mental health services, in the year prior to suicide for those who died by firearm versus other means, based on data from three healthcare organizations in Alaska, Colorado, and Washington. Includes the number of suicides by location of residence for rural, suburban, and urban areas.
Author(s): Julie E. Angerhofer, Maricela Cruz, Jennifer Shaw, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 74(21), 365-371
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Care Packages to Promote Universal Suicide Prevention for Remote Alaska Native Communities: What Worked?
Presents a study on the efficacy of a suicide prevention intervention aimed at teens in remote Alaska Native communities. Details the distribution of mental health and safety promotion care packages sent to participants through the mail and highlights the results of a survey of participants on the perceived success of the intervention.
Author(s): Joshua Kennedy, Lisa Wexler, Tara Schmidt, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2), e70032
Date: 05/2025
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Presents a study on the efficacy of a suicide prevention intervention aimed at teens in remote Alaska Native communities. Details the distribution of mental health and safety promotion care packages sent to participants through the mail and highlights the results of a survey of participants on the perceived success of the intervention.
Author(s): Joshua Kennedy, Lisa Wexler, Tara Schmidt, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2), e70032
Date: 05/2025
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School-Based Enhanced Hearing Screening and Specialty Telehealth Follow-Up for Hearing Loss among Children in Rural Alaska: Study Protocol for a Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Stepped Wedge, Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial (North STAR Trial)
Describes a study protocol that examines the impact of providing specialty hearing care for students in rural Alaska following standard school hearing screenings. Focuses on trial objectives, design, setting, participants, recruitment, data collection, and planned statistical analyses.
Author(s): Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Janet Prvu Bettger, Elizabeth Turner, et al.
Citation: Trials, 26, 175
Date: 05/2025
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Describes a study protocol that examines the impact of providing specialty hearing care for students in rural Alaska following standard school hearing screenings. Focuses on trial objectives, design, setting, participants, recruitment, data collection, and planned statistical analyses.
Author(s): Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Janet Prvu Bettger, Elizabeth Turner, et al.
Citation: Trials, 26, 175
Date: 05/2025
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Dietary Factors and BMI Among Preschool-Aged Head Start Children and Home Caregivers in Remote Alaska Native Communities
Examines the relationship between body mass index (BMI) of caregivers and BMI of the preschool children in their home. Utilizes data from a culturally anchored intervention, "Got Neqpiaq?", focused on remote Alaska Native communities in the southwest portion of the state. Discusses the impact of the composition of traditional food, processed food, and produce in a caregiver's diet on a child's diet, as well as the role of holistic family health interventions and cultural foods.
Author(s): Courtney M. Hill, M. J. Paschall, Kathryn R. Koller, et al.
Citation: Journal of Racial and Ethnic Disparities, 13(3), 2039-2048
Date: 04/2025
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Examines the relationship between body mass index (BMI) of caregivers and BMI of the preschool children in their home. Utilizes data from a culturally anchored intervention, "Got Neqpiaq?", focused on remote Alaska Native communities in the southwest portion of the state. Discusses the impact of the composition of traditional food, processed food, and produce in a caregiver's diet on a child's diet, as well as the role of holistic family health interventions and cultural foods.
Author(s): Courtney M. Hill, M. J. Paschall, Kathryn R. Koller, et al.
Citation: Journal of Racial and Ethnic Disparities, 13(3), 2039-2048
Date: 04/2025
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Modular Decentralized Water System Associated With Improved Child Health and Increased In-Home Water Use in Remote Alaska Native Communities
Explores the health effects of using Miniature Portable Alternative Sanitation Systems (Mini-PASS) on children 12 years old and younger in tribal communities in Alaska. Discusses Mini-PASS as an affordable option for communities that require a decentralized water system that doesn't require piping or sewer. Highlights the health and sanitation benefits such a system can bring to these communities.
Author(s): Amanda Hansen, Gretchen Day, Marla Wehrli, Laura Eichelberger
Citation: Journal of Water and Health, 23(3), 364–372.
Date: 03/2025
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Explores the health effects of using Miniature Portable Alternative Sanitation Systems (Mini-PASS) on children 12 years old and younger in tribal communities in Alaska. Discusses Mini-PASS as an affordable option for communities that require a decentralized water system that doesn't require piping or sewer. Highlights the health and sanitation benefits such a system can bring to these communities.
Author(s): Amanda Hansen, Gretchen Day, Marla Wehrli, Laura Eichelberger
Citation: Journal of Water and Health, 23(3), 364–372.
Date: 03/2025
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Newly Reported Chronic Hepatitis C Among Adults — Alaska, 2016–2023
Reports on changes in the annual average rate of newly reported adult chronic hepatitis C cases during 2016–2023 in Alaska. Includes rate data for 2016-2019 compared to 2020-2023 for urban, rural, and remote areas.
Author(s): Heather M. Scobie, Jamie Allison, Nicholas Masters, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 74(10), 161-166
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Reports on changes in the annual average rate of newly reported adult chronic hepatitis C cases during 2016–2023 in Alaska. Includes rate data for 2016-2019 compared to 2020-2023 for urban, rural, and remote areas.
Author(s): Heather M. Scobie, Jamie Allison, Nicholas Masters, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 74(10), 161-166
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Maternity Care in California: An Environmental Scan
Examines factors affecting declining hospital-based maternity care services in California and identifies approaches to increase access and quality of care. Includes discussion of rural hospital closures and rural quality of care challenges, and highlights rural program models in California and Alaska.
Date: 02/2025
Sponsoring organization: California Hospital Association
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Examines factors affecting declining hospital-based maternity care services in California and identifies approaches to increase access and quality of care. Includes discussion of rural hospital closures and rural quality of care challenges, and highlights rural program models in California and Alaska.
Date: 02/2025
Sponsoring organization: California Hospital Association
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Factors Influencing the Choice Between Multi-Target Stool DNA and Colonoscopy for Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Alaska Native Peoples
Examines colorectal cancer (CRC) screening preferences and awareness among Alaska Native people living in rural or remote areas of Alaska. Compares attitudes toward colonoscopy and multi-target stool DNA test (mt-sDNA) testing, including discussion of common barriers to access.
Author(s): Lauren A. Jeffries, Christie A. Flanagan, Lila J. Finney Rutten, John B. Kisiel, Diana G. Redwood
Citation: Life, 15(1), 120
Date: 01/2025
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Examines colorectal cancer (CRC) screening preferences and awareness among Alaska Native people living in rural or remote areas of Alaska. Compares attitudes toward colonoscopy and multi-target stool DNA test (mt-sDNA) testing, including discussion of common barriers to access.
Author(s): Lauren A. Jeffries, Christie A. Flanagan, Lila J. Finney Rutten, John B. Kisiel, Diana G. Redwood
Citation: Life, 15(1), 120
Date: 01/2025
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Addressing Colorectal Cancer Among Alaska Native Peoples: A Community and Subject Matter Expert Symposium
Reports proceedings from the 2023 Alaska Native CRC Research Symposium in Anchorage, Alaska. Describes the current state of research and programs focused on addressing colorectal cancer disparities and access to services among Alaska Native people. Summarizes topics explored at the conference, including concerns specific to rural, tribal, and remote areas.
Author(s): Diana Redwood, Samantha McNelly, Kate Flynn, et al.
Citation: Gastro Hep Advances, 4(3), 100572
Date: 01/2025
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Reports proceedings from the 2023 Alaska Native CRC Research Symposium in Anchorage, Alaska. Describes the current state of research and programs focused on addressing colorectal cancer disparities and access to services among Alaska Native people. Summarizes topics explored at the conference, including concerns specific to rural, tribal, and remote areas.
Author(s): Diana Redwood, Samantha McNelly, Kate Flynn, et al.
Citation: Gastro Hep Advances, 4(3), 100572
Date: 01/2025
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An Examination of the Implementation and Effectiveness of the Telehealth Broadband Pilot Program in the United States
Provides a brief overview of the Telehealth Broadband Pilot (TBP) Program, which aimed to address gaps in broadband service that limited access to telehealth services in rural and underserved communities in Alaska, Michigan, Texas, and West Virginia. Describes the development and implementation of pods that measured broadband data in the communities over time. Summarizes discussions with TBP Program staff regarding the implementation and effectiveness of the program. Includes factors for consideration in the development of future programs to measure broadband in rural communities.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Telehealth Evaluation Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Regional Campuses
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Provides a brief overview of the Telehealth Broadband Pilot (TBP) Program, which aimed to address gaps in broadband service that limited access to telehealth services in rural and underserved communities in Alaska, Michigan, Texas, and West Virginia. Describes the development and implementation of pods that measured broadband data in the communities over time. Summarizes discussions with TBP Program staff regarding the implementation and effectiveness of the program. Includes factors for consideration in the development of future programs to measure broadband in rural communities.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Telehealth Evaluation Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Regional Campuses
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