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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by State: Pennsylvania

Improving Rural Health: State Policy Options for Increasing Access to Care
Discusses strategies from state legislatures and other stakeholders to increase access to healthcare in rural areas. Focuses on policies and policy options for state legislatures in three areas: improving health insurance coverage, safeguarding rural health facilities, and changing rural healthcare delivery. Features examples from Colorado, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Author(s): Jack Pitsor
Date: 06/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Conference of State Legislatures
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Long-Term Exposure to Particulate Air Pollution and Brachial Artery Flow-Mediated Dilation in the Old Order Amish
Analyzes atmospheric particulate matter (PM) in a homogenous, rural Pennsylvanian population of Amish participants to assess endothelial dysfunction, which is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Reports air pollution exposure estimates over a 12-month period.
Author(s): Shabnam Salimi, Jeff D. Yanosky, Dina Huang, et al.
Citation: Environmental Health, 19(50)
Date: 05/2020
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Spatial Patterns in Prostate Cancer-Specific Mortality in Pennsylvania Using Pennsylvania Cancer Registry Data, 2004–2014
Analyzes data from the Pennsylvania Cancer Registry between 2004 and 2014 to examine the mortality risk of prostate cancer for men aged 40 or older living in rural and urban Appalachian areas in Pennsylvania.
Author(s): Ming Wang, Emily Wasserman, Nathaniel Geyer, et al.
Citation: BMC Cancer, 20, 394
Date: 05/2020
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COVID-19 and Rural Hospital Struggles
Recording of a May 14, 2020, webinar on healthcare delivery and financial challenges facing rural hospitals as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Features leaders from health systems in Iowa, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Transcript available in the video description.
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Availability of Hospice in Rural Pennsylvania
Compares the distribution and number of hospices in rural and urban Pennsylvania counties, provides a descriptive profile of rural Pennsylvania's hospice users, and projects the number of future Pennsylvania hospice users. Includes information from interviews with hospice providers and administrators to help understand challenges and opportunities for stakeholders. Features statistics with breakdowns by rural and urban location and nonprofit or for-profit status, and a county-level map showing locations of Pennsylvania hospices as of 2019.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Lisa Kitko, Joel Segel, Elizabeth Thiede
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Evaluation of Senior Community Centers in Rural and Urban Pennsylvania
Report evaluates Pennsylvania's senior community centers in both rural and urban areas. Details some of the services offered by senior community centers and features county level data.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Janet Ann Melnick, Morgan Silfies, Heather Shanks-McElroy, Emily McElroy
Date: 03/2020
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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The Motivations and Needs of Rural, Low-Income Household Food Gardeners
Results of a study using surveys, interviews, and garden visits to households in rural, western Pennsylvania to explore behavior and motivations of rural food gardeners, and the challenges they face. Discusses the financial, spiritual, and ecological value of gardening, and opportunities for community support.
Author(s): Kate J. Darby, Taylor Hinton, Joaquin Torre
Citation: Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 9(2), 55-69
Date: 01/2020
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A Public Health Emergency: State Efforts to Curb the Opioid Crisis
Presents the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on the outcomes of public health efforts to combat the opioid crisis. Features testimony from representatives of the Rhode Island Department of Health, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, and the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.
Date: 01/2020
Sponsoring organization: House Committee on Energy and Commerce
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Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation in Pennsylvania
Presents an overview of child sexual abuse and exploitation in Pennsylvania. Highlights specific issues in rural areas and compares rural and urban areas in the state. Details conclusions and makes policy recommendations.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Sarah A. Font, Sheridan Miyamoto, Casey N. Pinto
Date: 01/2020
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Compendium of Rural Oral Health Best Practices - 2020
Highlights examples of the best practices in rural oral healthcare across the country. Presents a number of models regarding workforce development and training, integration of care, telehealth, clinical care, and policy.
Date: 2020
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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