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Rural Health
Resources by State: Pennsylvania

Clinical, Sociodemographic and Service Provider Determinants of Guideline Concordant Colorectal Cancer Care for Appalachian Residents
Presents a study of Appalachian colorectal cancer patients diagnosed between 2006-2008 regarding their adherence to treatment guidelines by measuring rates of chemotherapy, lymph node assessment, and radiation treatments. Breaks down results by participants' age, race, and type and severity of comorbidity, as well as several treatment facility factors, such as bed size and surgical volume, among others.
Author(s): Steven T. Fleming, Heath B. Mackley, Fabian Camacho, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 30(1), 27-39
Date: 01/2014
Type: Document
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Private Health Insurance: The Range of Base Premiums for Individuals Age 19 and 64 in the Individual Market by State in January 2013
Reports on the range of health insurance premiums offered to different categories of consumers in the individual market in the month of January 2013. As of 2014, insurers are no longer able to use gender or health status to set premiums and are restricted in the amount they can vary premiums based on age and tobacco use. Enclosure II, beginning on page 107, reports base premiums for an urban and rural zip code in four select states, one from each census region: Illinois, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 01/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Telehealth in Rural Pennsylvania
Describes how and to what extent telehealth is being implemented in rural Pennsylvania. Reviews the literature on telehealth, addresses its uses, definitions, impacts, best practices, and policy considerations.
Author(s): C.J. Rhoads, Gary Bankston, Justin Roach, Roger Jahnke, William Roth
Date: 01/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Women in Rural Central Pennsylvania: Primary Care Physicians' Perspective
Describes a study examining the beliefs of primary care physicians regarding colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and factors that may cause gender disparities in CRC screening in rural Pennsylvania. Includes analysis to identify potential solutions to overcome those barriers.
Author(s): Lara A. Rosenwasser, Jennifer McCall-Hosenfeld, Carol S. Weisman, et al.
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 13(4), 2504
Date: 10/2013
Type: Document
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Effects of PROSPER on the Influence Potential of Prosocial Versus Antisocial Youth in Adolescent Friendship Networks
Examines whether PROSPER, an evidence-based intervention, affects adolescent friendship networks with the goal of reducing peer influence toward antisocial behavior in 14 rural and small town school districts in Iowa and Pennsylvania. Discusses using social networks to address problem behaviors and potential implications to reduce peer influence encouraging problem behaviors, such as substance use and delinquency.
Author(s): D. Wayne Osgood, Mark E. Feinberg, Scott D. Gest, et al
Citation: Journal of Adolescent Health, 53(2), 174-179
Date: 08/2013
Type: Document
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Longitudinal Effects of Universal Preventive Intervention on Prescription Drug Misuse: Three Randomized Controlled Trials With Late Adolescents and Young Adults
Examines the results of 3 randomized controlled trials evaluating prescription drug misuse preventive interventions implemented in middle schools located in rural Pennsylvania and Iowa. The 3 studies included the Iowa Strengthening Families Program (ISFP), a revised ISFP - Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10–14 including school-based Life Skills training (SFP 10–14 + LST), and a Strengthening Families Program with school-based interventions (SFP 10–14). Discusses the benefits for public health impact by reducing prescription drug misuse among adolescents and young adults.
Author(s): Richard Spoth, Linda Trudeau, Chungyeol Shin, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Public Health,103(4), 665-672.
Date: 04/2013
Type: Document
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Adapting School-Based Substance Use Prevention Curriculum Through Cultural Grounding: A Review and Exemplar of Adaptation Processes for Rural Schools
Describes the process that program designers used to adapt the urban evidence-based keepin' it REAL substance use prevention curriculum for use in rural schools in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Author(s): Margaret Colby, Michael L. Hecht, Michelle Miller-Day, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Community Psychology, 51(1-2), 190-205
Date: 03/2013
Type: Document
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The Rural Context of Illicit Substance Offers: A Study of Appalachian Rural Adolescents
Examines the rural conditions of substance use through interviews with 12-19 year old adolescents in rural school districts in Appalachian Pennsylvania and Ohio. Findings describe the settings in which substance offers and use occur, and how access to illicit substances is obtained. Offers insight for developing preventive intervention programs for adolescents.
Author(s): Jonathan Pettigrew, Michelle Miller-Day, Janice Krieger, Michael L. Hecht
Citation: Journal of Adolescent Research, 27(4), 523-550
Date: 07/2012
Type: Document
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An Analysis of Oral Health Disparities and Access to Services in the Appalachian Region
Analyzes disparities in oral health status and access to oral healthcare in the Appalachian Region. Examines relationships between oral health disparities and socioeconomic status indicators. Focuses on aiding efforts to develop targeted interventions to reduce disparities in Appalachia.
Author(s): Denise D. Krause, Warren L. May, Nancy M. Lane, et al.
Date: 12/2011
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Appalachian Regional Commission, The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research
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Increasing the Supply of Women Physicians in Rural Areas: Outcomes of a Medical School Rural Program
Examines the impact of Jefferson Medical College's Physician Shortage Area Program on increasing the number of female physicians in rural areas.
Author(s): Howard K. Rabinowitz, James J. Diamond, Fred W. Markham, Abbie J. Santana
Citation: Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 24(6), 740-744
Date: 11/2011
Type: Document
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