Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

Columbia Gorge Region, Oregon and Washington: 2016 RWJF Culture of Health Prize Winner
Describes how the communities within the Columbia Gorge region took a collaborative approach by developing a 15-member community advisory committee that included Medicaid recipients and Latino residents. Top concerns addressed by this committee were food, housing, jobs and transportation, along with improved access to dental and mental health, and better coordination among social services and healthcare providers. Projects included expanding the use and training of community health workers (CHWs) to assist Latino residents when navigating programs outside of healthcare and the development of a fruit and vegetable prescription program to support increased intake of healthy foods. A collective impact specialist was hired to help solve community problems through collaborative efforts, and to find grants and other sources of funding to support their projects. Columbia Gorge Region is a recipient of the 2016 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Culture of Health Prize.
Date: 2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
view details
Rhode Island: Key Determinants of Rural Health
An assessment and review of the health needs, behaviors, and status of rural populations in Rhode Island. Identifies places of need and recognizes the challenges prevalent in rural areas. Can be used as a tool to develop strategies and allocate resources targeted to underserved areas of the state.
Author(s): Katelyn Edel
Date: 2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rhode Island Office of Primary Care and Rural Health
view details
Achievement of the Health-related Millennium Development Goals in the Western Pacific Region 2016: Transitioning to the Sustainable Development Goals
Describes progress toward meeting goals to improve health in Western Pacific countries and territories. Features statistics on child mortality, maternal health, immunization rates, incidence of HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, and access to clean water and sanitation.
Date: 2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: World Health Organization Western Pacific Regional Office
view details
Aging in Place, Stuck without Options: Fixing the Mobility Crisis Threatening the Baby Boom Generation
Reports on the state of transportation access for members of the baby boom generation who are currently aging in place. Breaks down geographic distribution of Americans age 65 and older in rural, suburban, and metro areas and discusses the transportation options available to them. Presents detailed maps of several small metro areas.
Author(s): Kevin DeGood, David Goldberg, Nick Donohue, Lilly Shoup
Date: 2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Transportation for America
view details
Improved Veteran Access to Care Through the Veteran Health Information Exchange (VHIE) Retail Immunization Coordination Project
Presents a study on a coordination between the VA and Walgreens in an attempt to increase access to immunizations for rural veterans. Discusses the number of veterans who benefited from the program, as well as the distance traveled to both the VA and their nearest Walgreens to be vaccinated.
Author(s): Nathan Botts, Eric Pan, Lois Olinger, Margaret Donahue, Nelson Hsing
Citation: AMIA Annual Symposium Proceedings Archive, 2016, 326-331
Date: 2016
Type: Document
view details
Rural Disparities in Cancer Care: A Review of Its Implications and Possible Interventions
A literature review about the disparities in cancer care in rural Appalachia, specifically West Virginia. Discusses possible solutions to bridge the gap, such as teleoncology, virtual tumor boards, patient support groups, and physician training programs. Includes data and statistics for rates of cancer and oncologist availability.
Author(s): Lynne J. Goebel
Citation: West Virginia Medical Journal, 112(3), 76-82
Date: 2016
Type: Document
view details
Rural Behavioral Health: Telehealth Challenges and Opportunities
Reviews the barriers to mental and substance use disorder treatment and services in rural communities. Presents ways telehealth can address these barriers and discusses the challenges in implementing telehealth services in rural areas. Addresses differences in state policies for telemedicine coverage through private insurance.
Citation: SAMHSA In Brief, 9(2)
Date: 2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
view details
Exploring Data and Metrics of Value at the Intersection of Health Care and Transportation: Proceedings of a Workshop
Summarizes a June 2016 joint workshop focused on healthcare and transportation. Includes information on cross-sector collaboration to provide transportation in rural settings. Identifies data sources for understanding health-related transportation needs.
Additional links: Read Online
Date: 2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
view details
Planning for Transportation After Medical Services Pocket Guide, Rural Edition
Guide to help rural patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers consider transportation options after medical treatment.
Date: 2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Easter Seals Project ACTION, National Aging and Disability Transportation Center
view details
The Two Georgias: Addressing Health Equity in Rural Georgia
A series of articles discussing health disparities between rural and urban Georgia. Includes sections devoted to literature reviews, qualitative research, population science, needs assessments, and public health practices. Topics range from rural hospital closure, access and use of EMS services, and teen pregnancy, to social determinants of health as connected to childcare programs.
Citation: Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association, 5(4), 294-404
Date: 2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Georgia Public Health Association
view details