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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by State: Pennsylvania

The Role of Primary Care in Improving Access to Medication-Assisted Treatment for Rural Medicaid Enrollees with Opioid Use Disorder
Examines the utilization of primary care among rural Medicaid enrollees in rural Pennsylvania diagnosed with an opioid use disorder (OUD). Describes the relationship between primary care utilization, distance to a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) prescriber, and MAT utilization.
Author(s): Evan S. Cole, Ellen DiDomenico, Gerald Cochran, et al.
Citation: Journal of General Internal Medicine, 34(6), 936-943
Date: 06/2019
Type: Document
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Running Clear: Preventing Private Water Sources from Becoming a Health Hazard in Rural America
Provides an overview of the potential contaminants in well water and describes how the safety of private water sources is maintained. Features water experts and a public health professional explaining what can be done to keep well water clean, including water testing, education and training, funding, and technical assistance.
Author(s): Jenn Lukens
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 06/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Analysis of Obesity Rates for School Children in Pennsylvania
Report details an analysis of child obesity in Pennsylvania. Compares rural and urban rates by year and considers family demographics, such as occupation, household income, insurance coverage, among other factors.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 06/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Hospitalizations for Newborns with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome - 2018
Examines newborn birth admissions involving neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in Pennsylvania general acute care hospitals from October 2017 through September 2018. Features statistics comparing NAS newborns with all other newborn stays in categories such as rates of complications by type, length of hospital stays, and payment by Medicaid, and NAS rate per 1,000 newborn stays with breakdown by rural or urban location. Includes a county-level map showing rates of NAS.
Date: 06/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council
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Broadband Availability and Access in Rural Pennsylvania
Report details broadband access in rural Pennsylvania. Discussed broadband speed and the role it plays in rural telehealth services. Features a literature review and policy recommendations.
Author(s): Sascha D. Meinrath, Hannah Bonestroo, Georgia Bullen, et al.
Date: 06/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Older Americans Act: HHS Could Help Rural Service Providers by Centralizing Information on Promising Practices
Focuses on services and resources authorized by the Older Americans Act to help older adults age in place in rural communities. Addresses challenges accessing home and community-based services in rural areas and information on strategies for addressing those challenges. Covers home-delivered meals, congregate meals, transportation, family caregiver services, case management, and homemaker services. Research included interviews with ACL officials, rural area agencies on aging (AAA) in 8 states, rural health experts, and stakeholder groups; a literature review; and site visits.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 05/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Isolated, Small, and Large Hospitals Have Fewer Nursing Resources than Urban Hospitals: Implications for Rural Health Policy
Describes the nurse work environment, nurse education, nursing skill mix, and patient-to-registered nurse (RN) ratios across hospitals in California, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Examines how the findings differ by urban, large, small, and isolated hospitals, and discusses the potential impact on patient outcomes.
Author(s): Jessica G. Smith, Colin M. Plover, Moira C. McChesney, Eileen T. Lake
Citation: Public Health Nursing, 36(4), 469-477
Date: 04/2019
Type: Document
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Cancer-Related Beliefs and Perceptions in Appalachia: Findings from 3 States
Highlights a study on the beliefs and perceptions about cancer held by people in Appalachia. Bases conclusions on the results of a survey of rural Appalachian counties in Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
Author(s): Robin C. Vanderpool, Bin Huang, Yangyang Deng, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 35(2), 176-188
Date: 03/2019
Type: Document
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The Availability of Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction in Pennsylvania
Report details the availability of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction throughout the state of Pennsylvania. Compares rural and urban counties and highlights MAT delivery methods to rural areas.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Harry D. Holt, Matin Katirai, Whitney Katirai
Date: 03/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Cross-Agency Approaches to Substance Use Disorder Prevention and Treatment: National Recommendations
Provides recommendations on how state agencies can work together to prevent and treat substance use disorder, including engaging with state offices of rural health. Offers examples from 8 states and emphasizes state efforts related to opioid misuse disorder.
Date: 03/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Academy for State Health Policy
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