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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

American Broadband Initiative Progress Report June 2020
Provides an overview of federal agency actions taken to increase broadband access and private-sector investments in broadband in response to the American Broadband Initiative's 2019 Milestones Report. Documents actions taken by federal agencies to promote broadband access since February 2019 across three categories: streamlining federal permitting, leveraging federal assets, and federal funding.
Date: 06/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Telecommunications and Information Administration
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Provision of Mental Health Services by Critical Access Hospital-Based Rural Health Clinics
Examines the extent to which Critical Access Hospital (CAH)-based Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) provide mental health services. Describes the characteristics and staffing patterns of CAH-based RHCs that offer these services. Explores challenges of providing mental health services at RHCs and strategies for integrating mental health and primary care services.
Author(s): John Gale, Zacharia Croll, Nathan First, Sara Kahn-Troster
Date: 06/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Supply and Distribution of the Primary Care Workforce in Rural America: 2019
Details the supply of primary care providers in rural and urban areas in the U.S. Compares rates of physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants per 100,000 people by county across the country. Features a state-level analysis.
Additional links: State-level Analysis
Author(s): Eric H. Larson, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Lisa A. Garberson, et al.
Date: 06/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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The Supply and Rural-Urban Distribution of the Obstetrical Care Workforce in the U.S
Highlights the supply of obstetrical care workers in rural and urban areas in the U.S. Compares rates of midwives, advanced practice midwives, obstetricians, and family practice physicians who deliver babies per 100,000 women of childbearing age in rural counties. Features a state-by state analysis and state-level profiles.
Additional links: State-level Reports
Author(s): Davis Patterson, Holly Andrilla, Lisa Garberson
Date: 06/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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U.S. Child Care Deserts Mapping Tool
Interactive map featuring data on child care availability and locations for child care deserts or areas in which the demand for child care is much greater than the availability of child care. Includes layered maps showing poverty rates, educational attainment, median family incomes and home values, and percent of Black and Hispanic/Latinx residents.
Date: 06/2020
Type: Map/Mapping System
Sponsoring organizations: Center for American Progress, University of Minnesota
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The Most Costly Chronic Medical Condition in America: Experts Talk About the Rural Aspects of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias
Describes the impact of Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias in rural areas, the challenges of providing treatment and care, and initiatives underway to address dementia in rural communities.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 06/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Expanding the Capacity of Rural Cancer Care With Teleoncology
Discusses the geographic barriers rural patients may face when seeking cancer treatment. Provides an overview of policy solutions to date. Identifies federal and state policy options that could extend cancer care to rural areas through telehealth services.
Author(s): Jason Semprini
Citation: Online Journal of Rural Research & Policy, 15(2)
Date: 06/2020
Type: Document
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The Universal Service Fund and COVID-19: The FCC and Industry Response
An overview of three Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Universal Service Fund programs and actions taken through these programs in response to COVID-19. Describes the steps taken through the Rural Health Care Program to promote access to telehealth services during the public health emergency.
Date: 06/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Home on the Range: Plans and Providers Team Up to Bring Palliative Care to Rural Californians
Report discussing challenges and solutions to expanding palliative care access in rural California. Addresses barriers related to enrollment, staffing, and sustainability as well as strategies for creating partnerships between communities, healthcare systems, human services organizations, and other rural groups. Appendix features a chart listing health plans and rural providers offering palliative care services, with descriptions for each.
Author(s): Kathleen Kerr, Monique Parrish, Lyn Ceronsky
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: California Health Care Foundation
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Report to Congress: Reducing Barriers to Furnishing Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Services Using Telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring for Pediatric Populations under Medicaid - Final Report
Details methods to reduce barriers to the use of telehealth for mental health and substance abuse disorder treatment for pediatric patients covered by Medicaid. Highlights barriers, best practices, and costs, among other measures. Features several case studies across the U.S., including in rural communities.
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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