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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by State: Kentucky

Promising Flex Program Initiatives to Support Critical Access Hospitals during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Reports on promising State Flex Program (SFP) strategies to support Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and address priority needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights initiatives implemented by SFPs in seven states: Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming. Discusses strategies regarding support for frontline staff, staff communication, communication to rural communities, clinical and service improvement, and CAH and Rural Health Clinic financial performance. Discusses ongoing considerations and concerns.
Author(s): Celia Jewell, Sara Kahn-Troster, John Gale
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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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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Sourcebook: Delta States Rural Development Network Program, 2016-2020
Detailed descriptions of the twelve Delta States Rural Development Network grantees funded during the 2016-2020 grant period. Includes a list of grantees by focus area and grantee profiles providing contact information and in-depth project descriptions. The Delta States region comprises Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
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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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Traffic Safety in Appalachia: Final Report
Defines the traffic safety culture in Appalachia and discusses causes of common safety problems in the region, including drug- and alcohol-impaired driving. Explores environmental concerns of Appalachian drivers, such as expansive rural regions, mountainous and curved terrain, and dense forests exposed to extreme weather elements. Includes analysis of Appalachian traffic fatalities, fatal crash data statistics, and an evaluation of the Appalachian Development Highway System as a possible intervention measure for treating traffic safety problems. Also includes a case study of severe crashes in Appalachian North Carolina, featuring statistics with breakdowns by rural and urban areas.
Additional links: Research Brief
Author(s): Wesley Kumfer, Katherine Harmon, Bo Lan, et al.
Date: 02/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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Grantee Directory: Delta States Rural Development Network Program, 2020
A directory of the Delta States Rural Development Grant Program in the 2020-2023 funding cycle. Includes a brief program overview and contact information for each of the twelve grantees. The Delta States region comprises Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.
Date: 02/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
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A Randomized Controlled Trial Measuring Effects of Extra Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits on Child Food Security in Low-Income Families in Rural Kentucky
Results of a study to determine whether the Ticket to Healthy Food (TTHF) program would reduce child food insecurity among rural, low-income Kentucky households. Features statistics on 1,623 TTHF households, including demographics and food security status before and after the intervention.
Author(s): Gregory J. Chojnacki, Andrew G. Gothro, Philip M. Gleason, Sarah G. Forrestal
Citation: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 121(1), Supplement, S9-S21
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
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Suicide in the Time of COVID-19: A Perfect Storm
Examines the risk of suicide in rural communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Looks at suicide rates in Kentucky and nationally and discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic could potentially increase those rates.
Author(s): Sabrina Brown, Donna L. Schuman
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 37(1), 211-214
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
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2020 Kentucky Nursing Workforce Report
Infographic showing numbers of Registered Nurses and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses licensed in Kentucky as of 2020. Includes statistics on percentages, with breakdowns by urban and rural location.
Author(s): S. P. Thompson
Date: 2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health
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Cancer Curriculum for Appalachian Kentucky Middle and High School
Results of an online survey sent to 21 science and health teachers in Appalachian Kentucky, consisting of questions on existing cancer education efforts, relevance of cancer education, and feasibility of a curriculum of this type being used in the classroom.
Author(s): Lauren Hudson, Katherine Sharp, Chris Prichard, et al.
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 3(1), 43-55
Date: 2021
Type: Document
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