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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

Persistent Gaps in SNAP Benefit Adequacy across the Rural-Urban Continuum
Report examining gaps in the adequacy of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to cover the cost of a meal across the rural-urban continuum using the USDA's Rural-Urban Continuum Codes (RUCCs). Discusses characteristics of the counties with the largest gaps and addresses the policy implications of the 2021 Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) update to SNAP.
Author(s): Olivia Fiol, Elaine Waxman, Craig Gunderson
Date: 11/2021
Sponsoring organization: Urban Institute
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The Impact of Aging Baby Boomers in Rural America
Policy brief discussing the impact of the increasing proportion of the population turning 65 years old on rural communities. Offers policy recommendations for addressing barriers rural older adults face accessing healthcare and social services.
Author(s): Sarah Huling, Elizabeth Crouch, Whitney Zahnd
Date: 11/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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How States Use ARPA Funds to Support Telehealth, Technology and Data Infrastructure
Interactive map displaying how states used a one-time increase in the federal medical assistance program (FMAP) for Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) through March 31, 2022, to support telehealth service delivery, technology-based innovations, and data infrastructure building opportunities.
Date: 11/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Academy for State Health Policy
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Long-acting Buprenorphine Injectables: Opportunity to Improve Opioid Use Disorder Treatment among Rural Populations
Explores a study on the potential effect long-acting buprenorphine injectables could have on access to treatment of opioid use disorder in rural areas. Discusses the functionality of the medication, as well as the different patient populations and healthcare settings that could potentially benefit from them.
Author(s): Michelle R.Lofwall, Laura C.Fanucchi
Citation: Preventive Medicine, 152(2), 106756
Date: 11/2021
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COVID-19: HHS Agencies' Planned Reviews of Vaccine Distribution and Communication Efforts Should Include Stakeholder Perspectives
Discusses the perspectives of state and local health officials in four states and 12 national stakeholder organizations regarding federal COVID-19 vaccine distribution and education programs. Examines how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Health Services and Research Administration (HRSA) plan to evaluate vaccine implementation efforts. Offers recommendations for CDC and HRSA to obtain input from and share lessons learned with key stakeholders. Includes information on the Rural Health Clinic COVID-19 Program and the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 11/2021
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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The State of Nutrition in America 2021
Video of testimony presented to the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry on Nov. 2, 2021. Discusses nutrition insecurity, nutrition-related health disparities, and diet-related disease, including ways in which this affects those who are low-income, rural, American Indians and Alaska Natives, and other racial or ethnic minorities. Includes links for transcripts.
Additional links: Testimony by Angela Odoms-Young, Cornell University, Testimony by Angela Rachidi, American Enterprise Institute, Testimony by Dariush Mozaffarian, Tufts School of Medicine, Testimony by Donald Warne, University of North Dakota, Testimony by Patrick Stover, Texas A&M University
Author(s): Dariush Mozaffarian, Angela Odoms-Young, Donald Warne, Patrick Stover, Angela Rachidi
Date: 11/2021
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry
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Health Disparities in Rural Women
Discusses the health disparities that exist for rural women in all categories of women's health, including obstetric and gynecologic outcomes and access to care. Covers programs to improve healthcare services for rural women and recommendations to reduce health disparities.
Date: 11/2021
Sponsoring organization: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
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Access to Outpatient Services in Rural Communities Changes after Hospital Closure
Examines trends of Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and Rural Health Quality (RHC) availability in rural areas before and after hospital closures. Explores the associations between poverty rates and access to FQHCs and RHCs following hospital closure.
Author(s): Katherine E. M. Miller, Kyle L. Miller, Kathleen Knocke, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 56(5), 788-801
Date: 10/2021
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The State of the World's Children 2021 - On My Mind: Promoting, Protecting and Caring for Children's Mental Health
Examines child, adolescent, and caregiver mental health, focusing on risks and protective factors at critical moments in the life course. Discusses COVID-19's effect on mental health, and the social determinants that shape mental health and well-being. Features statistics on child mortality rates, maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, early childhood development, and education, with breakdowns by countries and territories including Palau, Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands.
Date: 10/2021
Sponsoring organization: United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
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Presidential COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force Final Report and Recommendations
Report examining the impacts of COVID-19 on communities of color, tribal communities, rural and remote populations, and underserved communities through a health equity lens, offering proposed actions and outcomes to guide future federal health equity efforts. Highlights community organizations and community-based programs, including rural examples.
Additional links: Presidential COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force Proposed Implementation Plan and Accountability Framework
Date: 10/2021
Sponsoring organizations: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health
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