Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access
Left Out: Barriers to Health Equity for Rural and Underserved Communities
Summarizes responses to a Request for Information from the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee's Rural and Underserved Communities Health Task Force. Describes factors contributing to healthcare challenges in rural areas, including demographics, social and structural determinants of health, insurance coverage, access to care, and workforce shortages. Highlights promising models of healthcare delivery in rural areas. Includes state-by-state health equity maps.
Additional links: State and Territory Health Equity Maps, Summary
Date: 07/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: House Ways and Means Committee
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Summarizes responses to a Request for Information from the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee's Rural and Underserved Communities Health Task Force. Describes factors contributing to healthcare challenges in rural areas, including demographics, social and structural determinants of health, insurance coverage, access to care, and workforce shortages. Highlights promising models of healthcare delivery in rural areas. Includes state-by-state health equity maps.
Additional links: State and Territory Health Equity Maps, Summary
Date: 07/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: House Ways and Means Committee
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Post-Acute Skilled Nursing Care Availability in Rural United States
Policy brief focusing on availability of post-acute skilled nursing care in rural areas, through swing bed programs in Critical Access Hospitals, short-term general hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities. Examines characteristics of counties with and without post-acute skilled nursing care, and what factors are associated with counties without this type of care. Features statistics with breakdowns by micropolitan, noncore, and all rural county locations.
Author(s): Darcy McMaughan, Ifedioranma O. Anikpo, Scott Horel, Jennifer Ozmetin
Date: 07/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
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Policy brief focusing on availability of post-acute skilled nursing care in rural areas, through swing bed programs in Critical Access Hospitals, short-term general hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities. Examines characteristics of counties with and without post-acute skilled nursing care, and what factors are associated with counties without this type of care. Features statistics with breakdowns by micropolitan, noncore, and all rural county locations.
Author(s): Darcy McMaughan, Ifedioranma O. Anikpo, Scott Horel, Jennifer Ozmetin
Date: 07/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
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Provision of Pediatric Immunization Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Assessment of Capacity Among Pediatric Immunization Providers Participating in the Vaccines for Children Program — United States, May 2020
Reports on the capacity of pediatric healthcare practices to provide immunization services to children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on a survey of practices participating in the Vaccines for Children program conducted May 12–20, 2020. Includes data for urban and rural provider practice locations.
Author(s): Tara M. Vogt, Fan Zhang, Michelle Banks, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(27), 859-863
Date: 07/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Reports on the capacity of pediatric healthcare practices to provide immunization services to children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on a survey of practices participating in the Vaccines for Children program conducted May 12–20, 2020. Includes data for urban and rural provider practice locations.
Author(s): Tara M. Vogt, Fan Zhang, Michelle Banks, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(27), 859-863
Date: 07/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Telepharmacy Rules and Statutes: A 3-Year Update for all 50 States
Surveys the legislative and administrative activity authorizing community-based telepharmacy. Includes a table identifying states that have permitted telepharmacy services through legislation, regulation, or waiver or pilot programs, and states with limitations, prohibitions, or no guidance on these services. Provides an overview of state rules and regulations that limit aspects of telepharmacy implementation. Explores areas for further research and evaluation, including the relationship between telepharmacy and rural pharmacy closures.
Author(s): Jason Semprini, Fred Ullrich, Keith J. Mueller
Date: 07/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Surveys the legislative and administrative activity authorizing community-based telepharmacy. Includes a table identifying states that have permitted telepharmacy services through legislation, regulation, or waiver or pilot programs, and states with limitations, prohibitions, or no guidance on these services. Provides an overview of state rules and regulations that limit aspects of telepharmacy implementation. Explores areas for further research and evaluation, including the relationship between telepharmacy and rural pharmacy closures.
Author(s): Jason Semprini, Fred Ullrich, Keith J. Mueller
Date: 07/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Supporting the Health and Wellbeing of Middle-Aged Adults Living Alone in Rural Counties
Results of a study exploring the characteristics of adults ages 35-64 who live alone, and the heightened health risks and challenges related to social isolation, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Uses data from a survey of 14 healthcare providers in rural counties with a high percentage of middle-aged adults living alone. Features a county-level map with breakdowns by percentage of people living alone in rural areas.
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Mariana Tuttle, Ashley Hernandez, Jonathan Schroeder, Katy Kozhimannil
Date: 07/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Results of a study exploring the characteristics of adults ages 35-64 who live alone, and the heightened health risks and challenges related to social isolation, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Uses data from a survey of 14 healthcare providers in rural counties with a high percentage of middle-aged adults living alone. Features a county-level map with breakdowns by percentage of people living alone in rural areas.
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Mariana Tuttle, Ashley Hernandez, Jonathan Schroeder, Katy Kozhimannil
Date: 07/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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The Impact of Medicare's Rural Add-on Payments on Supply of Home Health Agencies Serving Rural Counties
Examines how Medicare rural add-on payments affected the number of home health agencies serving rural counties between 2002-2017. Compares the population-adjusted number of home health agencies in urban, urban-adjacent non-urban-adjacent rural counties during periods with add-on payments and without add-on payments. Discusses implications for revised and future add-on payments to maintain or increase the supply of rural home health agencies.
Author(s): Tracy M. Mroz, Davis G. Patterson, Bianca K. Frogner
Citation: Health Affairs, 39(6), 949-957
Date: 06/2020
Type: Document
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Examines how Medicare rural add-on payments affected the number of home health agencies serving rural counties between 2002-2017. Compares the population-adjusted number of home health agencies in urban, urban-adjacent non-urban-adjacent rural counties during periods with add-on payments and without add-on payments. Discusses implications for revised and future add-on payments to maintain or increase the supply of rural home health agencies.
Author(s): Tracy M. Mroz, Davis G. Patterson, Bianca K. Frogner
Citation: Health Affairs, 39(6), 949-957
Date: 06/2020
Type: Document
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Pennsylvania Mental Health Care Workforce Shortage: Challenges and Solutions: A Staff Study
Provides a discussion of mental healthcare workforce occupations and examines the factors that led to shortages in these fields. Describes how telemedicine can be used to extend the mental healthcare workforce in rural Pennsylvania and determines how state government entities can encourage more people to enter and remain in the mental healthcare workforce. Makes recommendations including increasing the number of psychiatric residencies in rural areas and designating more Rural Health Clinics. Includes a county-level map of Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Author(s): Grant Rosul, Stephen J. Kramer, Wendy L. Baker
Date: 06/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Joint State Government Commission, General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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Provides a discussion of mental healthcare workforce occupations and examines the factors that led to shortages in these fields. Describes how telemedicine can be used to extend the mental healthcare workforce in rural Pennsylvania and determines how state government entities can encourage more people to enter and remain in the mental healthcare workforce. Makes recommendations including increasing the number of psychiatric residencies in rural areas and designating more Rural Health Clinics. Includes a county-level map of Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Author(s): Grant Rosul, Stephen J. Kramer, Wendy L. Baker
Date: 06/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Joint State Government Commission, General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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Developing and Implementing Farm Stress Training to Address Agricultural Producer Mental Health
Offers an overview of a U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency online training program for agribusiness professionals to offer mental health resources to farmers and ranchers. Describes issues of mental healthcare access for rural and farm populations and the process of developing the training program, as well as challenges, successes, and practical implications of the program.
Author(s): Courtney Cuthbertson, Alison Brennan, John Shutske, et al.
Citation: Health Promotion Practice, 1524839920931849
Date: 06/2020
Type: Document
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Offers an overview of a U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency online training program for agribusiness professionals to offer mental health resources to farmers and ranchers. Describes issues of mental healthcare access for rural and farm populations and the process of developing the training program, as well as challenges, successes, and practical implications of the program.
Author(s): Courtney Cuthbertson, Alison Brennan, John Shutske, et al.
Citation: Health Promotion Practice, 1524839920931849
Date: 06/2020
Type: Document
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Telehealth in Rural America: Disruptive Innovation for the Long Term?
Blog post discussing policy challenges and rural-specific concerns related to telehealth and telemedicine expansion during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. Addresses potential impacts of telehealth on rural facilities, Medicaid programs, and policy efforts.
Author(s): Matthew Ralls, Lauren Moran
Date: 06/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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Blog post discussing policy challenges and rural-specific concerns related to telehealth and telemedicine expansion during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. Addresses potential impacts of telehealth on rural facilities, Medicaid programs, and policy efforts.
Author(s): Matthew Ralls, Lauren Moran
Date: 06/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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Rides to Health and Wealth: A Driving Force for Rural Health Network Action Webinar
Webinar featuring the Health and Wealth Network in Missouri, which increases access to transportation for rural residents through community coordination and scheduling. Discusses impacts of transportation and mobility on health and healthcare access for rural Missourians. Transcript available by clicking the three dots (menu) below video image, then selecting Show Transcript.
Author(s): Kelly Ast
Date: 06/2020
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: National Aging and Disability Transportation Center
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Webinar featuring the Health and Wealth Network in Missouri, which increases access to transportation for rural residents through community coordination and scheduling. Discusses impacts of transportation and mobility on health and healthcare access for rural Missourians. Transcript available by clicking the three dots (menu) below video image, then selecting Show Transcript.
Author(s): Kelly Ast
Date: 06/2020
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: National Aging and Disability Transportation Center
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