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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by State: Virginia

Federal Agencies' Investment in Rural Cancer Control Fosters Partnerships between Researchers and Rural Communities
Highlights how researchers and rural communities are working together to address rural cancer prevention and control, with support from federal funding. Discusses projects that address health behaviors, cancer screening, vaccination, and rural participation in clinical trials.
Author(s): Mary Charlton, Whitney Zahnd, Jennifer Patterson, Kimberly Merchant
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Vaccine Distribution in Rural Counties
Presents data on COVID-19 vaccination rates and intention to be vaccinated by urban-rural status. Discusses vaccine distribution, challenges facing rural communities, and considerations for communication about the vaccines. Describes best practices in rural counties in Virginia, Washington, and West Virgina.
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Counties
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Characterization of Mental Illness Among US Coal Miners
Describe the prevalence of and risk factors for mental illness among 2,808 active and former coal miners from central Appalachia who received clinical care at Stone Mountain Health Services Black Lung Clinic between 2018-2020. Features statistics with breakdowns by degree of depression, pulmonary risk factors, and length of time spent working as a miner.
Author(s): Drew Harris, Timothy McMurry, Amanda Caughron, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 4(5)
Date: 05/2021
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How Grayson County is Getting Connected
Discusses efforts to build broadband infrastructure in Grayson County, Virginia, in rural Appalachia. Describes the planning process, health implications of broadband access in the county, and advice for communities seeking broadband.
Author(s): AARP Livable Communities
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: AARP
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The Hospital as a Convener in Rural Communities
Examines the traditional and non-traditional role of rural hospitals as conveners that support community health initiatives and population health. Discusses examples of approaches used by rural and urban serving hospitals from Michigan and Virginia. Offers steps for hospitals on becoming a convener, and suggests community stakeholders for forming partnerships to improve health and well-being in their communities.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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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
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
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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Dialogue About the Workforce for Population Health Improvement: Proceedings of a Workshop
Presentations from a workshop facilitating a population health perspective among public health and healthcare leaders and professionals; framing the work of personnel such as community health workers, health navigators, and peer-to-peer chronic disease management educators within the context of population health; and leveraging the competencies of public- and private-sector workforces that are working to include a well-being orientation in their activities.
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): Roundtable on Population Health Improvement
Date: 2021
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Benefits and Barriers to Pediatric Tele-Urology During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Study of remote video visits by a pediatric urology provider serving rural Virginia that examines the rapid integration of video visits into a practice that previously treated patients exclusively in-person. Discusses patient demographics, diagnosis and clinical outcomes, and success rates of video visits for 116 patients.
Author(s): Andrew J. Winkelman, Haerin L. Beller, Kathryn E. Morgan, et al.
Citation: Journal of Pediatric Urology, 16(6), P840.E1-840.E6
Date: 12/2020
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Opioids in Medicaid: Concerns About Opioid Use Among Beneficiaries in Six Appalachian States in 2018
Examines the rates of opioid use of Medicaid beneficiaries in 6 Appalachian states in 2018. Discusses the amount of the prescriptions issued, the amounts of opioids received, and the amount of providers with questionable prescribing practices, among other opioid-related measures.
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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