Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by State: Alaska

Where the Road Ends: Emergency Care Sensitive Conditions Drive Excess Mortality in Medevac-Dependent Rural Alaska
Research letter detailing how poor access to emergency care and sociodemographic conditions contribute to disparities in mortality outcomes in rural Alaska, utilizing CDC WONDER 1999-2020 mortality data. Compares age-adjusted mortality rates for injuries, emergency care-sensitive conditions, and non-emergency care sensitive conditions in off road and on road communities.
Author(s): Brian Rice, Carla Britton, Stacy Rasmus, Tina Hernandez-Boussard
Citation: Emergency Medicine Journal, 2024, 214444
Date: 12/2024
view details
A Summary of Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (Bead) Program Plans for the 4 Telehealth Broadband Pilot Program States
Provides a brief overview of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which aims to expand access to broadband nationwide. Examines the BEAD Program spending plans and proposals of the four states participating in the Telehealth Broadband Pilot (TBP) Program.
Author(s): Chris Charlton, Cari A. Bogulski, Hari Eswaran
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Telehealth Evaluation Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Regional Campuses
view details
Healthcare Stakeholder Perceptions of Broadband and Telehealth Influences in Telehealth Broadband Pilot Program Communities
Summarizes findings from interviews with healthcare stakeholders in Alaska, Michigan, Texas, and West Virginia communities served by the Telehealth Broadband Pilot (TBP) Program. Describes influences on clinic, providers and healthcare staff, and TBP Program community and patient broadband and telehealth utilization.
Author(s): Cari A. Bogulski, M. Kathryn Allison, Hannah C. McCoy, Rosario Silva, Hari Eswaran
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Telehealth Evaluation Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Regional Campuses
view details
An Evaluation of the Telehealth Broadband Pilot Program (2021–2024)
Provides an 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. Details the development and implementation of devices that measured broadband data in the communities over time and the results of those devices. Summarizes discussions with TBP Program staff regarding the implementation and effectiveness of the program, as well as interviews with healthcare stakeholders, consumers, and technical assistance providers in TBP Program communities. Offers factors for consideration in the development of future programs to measure broadband implementation in rural communities and improve user experience. Includes summary reports by state.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Telehealth Evaluation Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Regional Campuses
view details
Consumer Perceptions of Broadband and Telehealth Across Telehealth Broadband Pilot Program Counties
Presents findings from interviews with consumers in Alaska, Michigan, Texas, and West Virginia communities served by the Telehealth Broadband Pilot Program. Describes facilitators and barriers to home broadband and telehealth adoption identified in the interviews.
Author(s): Cari A. Bogulski, Rosario Silva, Hannah C. McCoy, M. Kathryn Allison, Hari Eswaran
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Telehealth Evaluation Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Regional Campuses
view details
Nirsevimab Effectiveness Against Medically Attended Respiratory Syncytial Virus Illness and Hospitalization Among Alaska Native Children — Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Region, Alaska, October 2023–June 2024
Reports on effectiveness of nirsevimab in preventing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) associated hospitalization for Alaska Native infants in their first RSV season and against medically attended illness for children in their first and second seasons in Alaska's Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Includes data by community type for the hub town with regional hospital and outlying villages.
Author(s): Brian Lefferts, Sara Bressler, James W. Keck, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 73(45), 1015-1021
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
view details
Strengthening the System II: Alaska's Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Program Plan 2025-2029
Details Alaska's mental health integration plan. Discusses 10 focus areas that cover different aspects of mental health coverage, such as suicide prevention, substance use disorder prevention, and early childhood mental health.
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Alaska Department of Health, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
view details
'A Silent, Unmet Need': Rural Motherhood and the Challenges of Postpartum Care
Discusses the importance of rural access to postpartum care, including perinatal mental healthcare. Features programs in Montana, Maine, and Alaska that are providing support to rural mothers via postpartum doulas, telehealth, and home visiting.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
view details
Improving HPV Vaccination Coverage in The Last Frontier Takes a Community-Centered Approach
Discusses the Alaska Cancer Partnership's efforts to support human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination through community partnerships and the Alaska HPV Vaccination Month campaign. Details initiatives focused on rural, tribal, and youth vaccination access and awareness.
Author(s): Jessica Quinn
Date: 09/2024
Sponsoring organization: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
view details
Perceptions of Multi-Cancer Early Detection Tests among Communities Facing Barriers to Health Care
Used focus groups to identify barriers and facilitators of multi-cancer early detection tests use for people facing access barriers to healthcare including rural Alaskan residents among others. Discusses the mental health impacts of cancer screening, knowledge of screening, patient-provider relationships, trust in healthcare systems, access to healthcare, and financial accessibility.
Author(s): Kristi L. Roybal, Robyn A. Husa, Maria Connolly, et al.
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 2(9)
Date: 09/2024
view details