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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

Increasing Telehealth Use during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and Healthcare Disparities: An Updated Systematic Review
Summarizes findings from a systematic review of literature published between December 2022 and July 5, 2023, regarding whether telehealth impacted healthcare access and disparities. Includes rurality as a demographic group assessed.
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Telehealth Research Center
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The Future of Broadband Affordability
Presents a recording of a May 2, 2024, hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband. Describes federal approaches to increase broadband access and affordability. Discusses the state of broadband affordability programs, the impact of a potential lapse or end of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), and strategies to address shortfalls in broadband affordability programs.
Additional links: Blair Levin, New Street Research - Testimony, Jennifer Case Nevarez, Community Learning Network - Testimony, Kathryn de Wit, Pew Charitable Trusts - Testimony
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
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Rural-Urban Disparities in the Availability of Hospital-Based Screening, Medications for Opioid Use Disorder, and Addiction Consult Services
Compares availability of opioid use disorder screening, medication, and addiction consult services in hospitals by level of rurality. Utilizes data from the 2021 American Hospital Association (AHA) Annual Survey of Hospitals. Discusses access barriers to opioid use disorder services in rural areas.
Author(s): Berkeley Franz, Cory E. Cronin, Zoe Lindenfield, et al.
Citation: Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment, 160, 209280
Date: 05/2024
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Health Coverage Options for American Indians and Alaska Natives
Fact sheet details the healthcare coverage options for American Indian and Alaska Native populations. Provides guidance for accessing healthcare coverage through the Marketplace, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and breaks down the various verification and eligibility requirements.
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Key Findings from RAND Health Care Research on Telehealth Policy
Brief examining the implications of telehealth policy for emergency response, treatment for behavioral health, maternal healthcare, and healthcare access.
Author(s): Lori Uscher-Pines, Shira H. Fischer
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
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Telephone-Based Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy Optimization in Navajo Nation: The Hózhó Randomized Clinical Trial
Explores whether a guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) is initiated and titrated through telehealth improves GDMT use among patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in Navajo Nation. Summarizes results of a stepped-wedge, pragmatic comparative effectiveness trial conducted from February to August 2023 at two Indian Health Service facilities in rural Navajo Nation. Discusses the importance of community-designed and locally-tailored strategies to improve GDMT rates.
Author(s): Lauren A. Eberly, Ada Tennison, Daniel Mays, et al.
Citation: JAMA Internal Medicine, 184(6), 681-690
Date: 04/2024
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Addressing the Spectrum of Opioid Misuse Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery in Rural Washington State Communities: Provider Identified Barriers and Needs
Highlights a study on provider-identified barriers to opioid use disorder treatment, recovery, and prevention in rural Washington State. Draws conclusions from survey data taken from July-September 2020 and features some discussion of COVID-19 on top of other pre-existing barriers. Breaks down data by role in healthcare workforce, work setting, and substance focus, among other factors.
Author(s): Liat S. Kriegel, Katherine Hampilos, Elizabeth Weybright, et al.
Citation: Community Mental Health Journal, 60(3), 600-607
Date: 04/2024
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2024 North Carolina Rural Health Snapshot
Presents data on rural North Carolina demographics, health information, and healthcare infrastructure. Offers statistics on issues including food access, income, healthcare coverage, maternal health, behavioral health, housing, internet access, and more.
Date: 04/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation, North Carolina Rural Health Association
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Ensuring Equitable Application of Interventions to Vulnerable Subpopulations in the Kentucky Consortium for Accountable Health Communities (KC-AHC)
Results of a study to assess the equity of the Kentucky Consortium for Accountable Health Communities model activities among dual enrollees, disabled people, and women. Uses data gathered from August 2018 to April 2021 in a largely-rural 29-county area in Appalachian Kentucky. Features statistics with breakdowns by year and by subpopulation.
Author(s): Jing Li, Jessica M. Clouser, Akosua Adu, et al.
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(1/2), 38–56
Date: 04/2024
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Perspectives on Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Access and Engagement from Rural Family Members and People in Treatment
Reports on interviews with 20 family members in rural Vermont of people using either medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) or illicit opioids. Highlights themes identified include facilitators and barriers to MOUD treatment access and engagement, recovery success, unmet needs, and recommendations for improvement to care. Discusses overlap and key differences in themes between family members and people in treatment in previously published reports.
Date: 04/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Substance Use Research and Evaluation, University of Vermont Center on Rural Addiction
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