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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

Oral Health Status of Low-Income Children in Pennsylvania: A Rural-Urban Comparison
Describes research examining the oral health component of the Medical Assistance (MA) program for Pennsylvania children, additional oral health programs and services, the supply and distribution of Pennsylvania dentists, and the overall oral healthcare delivery system for low-income children in rural Pennsylvania. Features statistics including the number of general dentists and specialists who were active MA providers as of 2017, with breakdowns by urban or rural location, and a county-level map showing low-income Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas by rural status as of 2018.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Lisa Davis, Kelly Braun, Myron R. Schwartz
Date: 11/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Community-Driven Strategies to Address Stigma and Build Healthier Communities in Maine
Describes 3 communities working to reduce stigma in order to create equitable systems that enhance the health and well-being of Maine residents. Presents community responses to reducing stigma, common themes, and implications for complex system change initiatives in health.
Author(s): Susan Foster, Teresa Doksum
Date: 11/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Maine Health Access Foundation
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Partnership Integration for Rural Health Resource Access
Describes an interdisciplinary partnership model combining nursing, public health, and gerontology to address the health and social challenges affecting older adults living in rural areas. Offers steps for developing an interdisciplinary partnership and highlights a model utilizing clinical and non-clinical disciplines to improve rural health resource access.
Author(s): Teresa Sharp, Joyce Weil, Audrey Snyder, et al.
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 19(4), 5335
Date: 11/2019
Type: Document
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Geographic Disparities Associated with Travel to Medical Care and Attendance in Programs to Prevent/Manage Chronic Illness Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Texas
Examines 2,108 rural and urban middle-aged and older adults in Texas with one or more chronic conditions who travel long distances to receive medical care and their utilization of programs focused on prevention and chronic disease management. Participants from 9 counties responded to health assessment surveys regarding their number of doctor's visits within the previous year, distance to receive medical care, residential status, and other personal characteristics.
Author(s): Matthew L. Smith, Samuel D. Towne Jr., Caroline D Bergeron, et al.
Citation: Rural and Remote Health,19(4), 5147
Date: 11/2019
Type: Document
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Oversight Hearing on "Recognizing the Sacrifice: Honoring a Nation's Promise to Native Veterans" & Legislative Hearing to Receive Testimony on S. 1001 & S. 2365
Presents the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs oversight hearing on the Tribal Veterans Health Care Enhancement Act and the Health Care Access for Urban Native Veterans Act. Features testimony from representatives from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, and the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes.
Date: 11/2019
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
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#RuralHealthChat: Access to Funding for Rural Health Projects
Features a discussion of rural healthcare funding access via Twitter on National Rural Health Day 2019. Co-hosted by NOSORH and RHIhub, the #RuralHealthChat highlights experts discussing funding from federal, state, and private sources.
Date: 11/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, Rural Health Information Hub
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Telemedicine in Sexual and Reproductive Health
Overview of telemedicine use in sexual and reproductive healthcare by patients, and by providers in metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. Reviews the potential of telemedicine to increase access particularly in rural areas, identifies the range of reproductive health services facilitated by telemedicine, and covers Medicaid reimbursement, insurance coverage, and investment costs.
Author(s): Gabriela Weigel, Brittni Frederiksen, Usha Ranji, Alina Salganicoff
Date: 11/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Reviewing the Broken Promises Report: Examining the Chronic Federal Funding Shortfalls in Indian Country
Video recording and testimony from a November 19, 2019 House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States hearing focused on the U.S. Commission on Human Rights report Broken Promises: Continuing Federal Funding Shortfall for Native Americans, which evaluated federal spending on Native American programs.
Additional links: GAO Testimony
Date: 11/2019
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States
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Intergovernmental Advisory Committee to the Federal Communications Commission Advisory Recommendation No: 2019-2 in the Matter of State, Local Tribal, and Territorial Regulatory and Other Barriers and Incentives to Telemedicine
Examines the technical infrastructure necessary for effective telemedicine delivery in state, territorial, tribal, and local (rural and urban) areas. Discusses the regulatory barriers including legislation, licensing, reimbursement, malpractice insurance, and privacy that obstruct its development and utilization, and offers recommendations addressing these barriers. Appendix A presents case studies of broadband and telehealth development in several states and territories.
Date: 11/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Federal Communications Commission, Intergovernmental Advisory Committee to the Federal Communications Commission
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Video: How Communities Are Working Together to Improve Access to Care in Rural Communities
Discusses physician shortages in rural Oklahoma and highlights a public-private partnership working to improve access. Details the partnership between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, the Physician Manpower Training Commission, Oklahoma Medical Association, Texas County, and Memorial Hospital of Texas County.
Date: 11/2019
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Blue Cross Blue Shield
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