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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by State: California

Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Benefiting Rural Individuals, Benefiting Rural Population Health
Discusses the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) as a treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Highlights the potential of telehealth to deliver PR in rural areas and features the work of rural PR programs.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 06/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Use of the Spatial Access Ratio to Measure Geospatial Access to Emergency General Surgery Services in California
Evaluates the ability of Spatial Access Ratio (SPAR) to identify disparities in emergency general surgery (EGS) access in California. Compares the locations of 238 EGS-capable hospitals to the location of California residents with focus on the socio-demographic characteristics of population size, poverty rate, health insurance coverage, and rural or urban status. Table 2 shows access to EGS hospitals by rurality, among other data. Discusses the use of SPAR to allocate resources differently.
Author(s): Marta McCrum, Neng Wan, Steven Lizotte, et al.
Citation: The Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, 90(5), 853-860
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
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Health Workforce Strategies for California: A Review of the Evidence
Examines literature and evidence on healthcare workforce strategies, discussing workforce issues in urban and rural areas in California. Describes the impacts of pipeline, scholarship, loan repayment, professional training, and residency programs, including rural-specific considerations.
Author(s): Diane Rittenhouse, Alexandra Ament, Janet Genevro, Kara Contreary
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: California Health Care Foundation, Mathematica
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States Work to Support Rural Hospitals Despite Pandemic Challenges
Blog post highlighting state-level policies to address and prevent rural hospital closures. Discusses proposals in state legislatures regarding alternative payment methodologies and funding, service delivery models, and the recruitment and retention of a rural healthcare workforce.
Author(s): Beth Giambrone
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
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Evaluation of the Use of CAH Cohorts for Quality Improvement Activities
Describes how State Flex Programs (SFPs) use cohorts of Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in quality improvement initiatives. Discusses the benefits and challenges of CAH cohorts, how SFPs are evaluating the impact of these initiatives, and opportunities to enhance the use of cohorts in Flex Program activities. Includes findings from interviews with six SFPs.
Author(s): John Gale, Celia Jewell, Sara Kahn-Troster, Nathan First
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Geographic Expansion of Medicaid Managed Care Organizations: Assessing Access to Primary Care in Nonmetropolitan Counties
Presents a study on primary care access for Medicaid beneficiaries in nonmetropolitan counties who were enrolled through managed care organizations (MCOs) from 2012 to 2018. Details the level of access to primary care in the nonmetropolitan counties of 15 states and compares the rates of access for beneficiaries enrolled through MCOs established before 2012 and after 2012. Discusses findings and makes recommendations for policy makers.
Author(s): Linda Li, Matthew Najarian, Abigail R. Barker, et al.
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Telehealth Policies Impacting Federally Qualified Health Centers in Face of COVID‐19
Provides an overview of changes to federal, California Medicaid, and private insurer telehealth policies in response to COVID-19. Discusses opportunities and limitations Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics may face in expanding telehealth services. Offers recommendations for removing barriers for providers in rural and underserved areas.
Author(s): Miku Sodhi
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 37(1), 158-160
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
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2021 Rural Border Health Chartbook
Presents statistics on health indicators and social determinants of health in the U.S.-Mexico Border region, offering rural/urban comparisons, comparing self-reported Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic ethnicity, and examining proximity to the border. Covers access to care, use of preventive health services, health-related behaviors, COVID-19, mortality, and American Indian health.
Author(s): Elizabeth Crouch, Rachel Davis, Jan M. Eberth, et al.
Date: 2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: National Rural Health Association, Rural and Minority Health Research Center (formerly the South Carolina Rural Health Research Center)
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Border Health Status Report to the Legislature 2021
General overview of the current health status of populations living in the California border region including the demographics and significant health indicators. Covers obesity, diabetes, mental health issues, tuberculosis (TB), sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, vaccine-preventable diseases, and COVID-19.
Author(s): Olivia Arizmendi, Hellen Loya, Rebeca Elliott, April Fernandez
Date: 2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: California Department of Public Health, California Office of Binational Border Health
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California State Plan on Aging 2021-2025
Offers a 5-year plan for California's Department of Aging (CDA) outlining priorities and objectives, including the state's response to older adults in rural areas. Appendices offer data on the population 60+, specifying minority, non-minority, low-income, geographically isolated, and Medi-Cal eligible elders.
Date: 2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: California Health and Human Services Agency
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