Rural Health
Resources by State: Washington

What Can We Do When the Smoke Rolls In? An Exploratory Qualitative Analysis of the Impacts of Rural Wildfire Smoke on Mental Health and Wellbeing, and Opportunities for Adaptation
Study examining the mental health and wellbeing impacts of wildfire smoke events based on community focus group sessions and key informant interviews with healthcare and social service providers in Okanogan County, Washington. Describes wildfire smoke exposure effects on anxiety, depressive symptoms, isolation, and physical health, and explores opportunities for healthcare and community interventions.
Author(s): Anna Humphreys, Elizabeth G. Walker, Gregory N. Bratman, Nicole A. Errett
Citation: BMC Public Health, 22, 41
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
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Randomized Trial of a Portable HEPA Air Cleaner Intervention to Reduce Asthma Morbidity Among Latino Children in an Agricultural Community
Study evaluating the impact of HEPA air cleaners on asthma morbidity for a group of 75 rural Latino children in the Lower Yakima Valley region of Washington. Analyzes health outcomes after providing an intervention group with HEPA air cleaners, and describes the potential for HEPA air cleaners to aid in asthma control in children, particularly in agricultural and industrial settings.
Author(s): Rebecca L. Drieling, Paul D. Sampson, Jennifer E. Krenz, et al.
Citation: Environmental Health, 21, 1
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
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Creating the New Normal: COVID-19 Leaves Its Mark on Rural America
Offers articles discussing various impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on affordable rural housing and those organizations working to ensure affordable rural housing. Shares stories describing how federal aid was used to address homelessness and rural residents' housing needs in Wisconsin, how the pandemic has impacted Oregon farmworkers' housing and health, and how flexible U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs have helped rural nonprofits in Washington serve rural communities.
Citation: Rural Voices, 25(1)
Date: 11/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Housing Assistance Council
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Antibiotic Stewardship Profile Series: Forks Community Hospital
Profiles the antibiotic stewardship efforts of Forks Community Hospital, a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) in Forks, Washington. Describes the development of the antimicrobial stewardship program, leadership, drug expertise, tracking and reporting, and provider education.
Date: 11/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Stratis Health
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Linking Families and Teens: Reducing Teen Pregnancy by Increasing Family Connectedness and Youth Self-Efficacy
Report details and evaluates a program designed to prevent unplanned teen pregnancies in rural communities. Highlights the programs structure and the measures used to evaluate it.
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Office of Population Affairs, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Innovations in Native American Communities
Report highlights the efforts of tribal programs to address opioid use disorder in their communities. Presents success stories of programs providing culturally competent treatment, prevention, and recovery for American Indian and Alaska Native communities in several states.
Date: 08/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National American Indian and Alaska Native Addiction Technology Transfer Center
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Evaluation of the State Innovation Models (SIM) Initiative Round 2: Model Test Final Report
Final report on the Round 2 State Innovation Models (SIM) program across eleven participating states - Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Washington. Discusses the adoption of delivery models and payment reforms related to value-based payment (VBP) and alternative payment models (APMs). Examines whether the implementation efforts and healthcare delivery system reforms impacted the quality of care, health outcomes, population health, and spending.
Additional links: Appendix, Findings at a Glance
Date: 06/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, RTI International
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Washington State Injury and Violence Prevention Guide
Examines the burden of seven of the most common types of unintentional and intentional injuries in rural and urban areas of the state of Washington. Includes injury data, risk and protective factors, and evidence-based or promising prevention strategies for each of the seven types.
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Washington State Department of Health
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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
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Counties
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Socioeconomic and Racial Inequities in Breast Cancer Screening During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Washington State
Describes a study of breast cancer screening disparities, comparing screening rates in Washington by race, socioeconomic status, and rural residence based on data from a statewide healthcare system. Compares rates of screening before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Author(s): Ofer Amram, Jeanne Robison, Solmaz Amiri, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 4(5), e2110946
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
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