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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

Cross-Sectional Analysis of Primary Care Clinics' Policies, Practices, and Availability of Patient Support Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Examines healthcare access related to missed or no-show appointments, with a focus on patient barriers, no-show policies, and patient support services. Analyzes survey responses from Nebraska primary care clinics, examining rural versus urban differences in clinic ability to address social determinants of health (SDOH).
Author(s): Kendra L. Ratnapradipa, Runqiu Wang, Josiane Kabayundo, et al.
Citation: BMC Health Services Research, 24, 279
Date: 03/2024
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The Impact of Rural General Hospital Closures on Communities—A Systematic Review of the Literature
Presents a literature review of studies on the health and economic effects hospital closures have had on rural communities. Analyzes 21 studies completed in the previous 8 years and details the economic and healthcare access outcomes identified.
Author(s): Carol A. Mills, Valerie A. Yeager, Kathleen T. Unroe, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 40(2), 238-248
Date: 03/2024
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2023 Maine Perinatal Health Disparities Needs Assessment
Qualitative assessment of the perinatal system of care in Maine, based on information from interviews and rural focus groups. Includes information on perinatal health indicators and the perinatal workforce capacity, and offers recommendations for improvement.
Author(s): Cecelia Stewart, Allison Tippery, Hailey Marnell-Bozdag, Frances Tarbell
Date: 02/2024
Sponsoring organization: Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention
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Association Between a Network-Based Physician Linchpin Score and Cancer Patient Mortality: A Seer-Medicare Analysis
Presents a study on patient-sharing networks among multidisciplinary teams treating cancer patients and, specifically, the oncologists hold these networks together as "linchpins". Discusses these linchpin oncologists and evaluates the effect they have on cancer outcomes. Explores the affect this has on patients with a number of variables, including living in a rural area.
Author(s): Erika L Moen, Rachel O Schmidt, Tracy Onega, et al.
Citation: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 116(2), 230-238
Date: 02/2024
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Access in Appalachia Pilot Implementation Project
Explores transportation accessibility within Appalachia by measuring, analyzing, and visualizing Appalachian residents' access to jobs, education, healthcare, entertainment, and intermodal freight facilities. Mentions rural throughout, and includes a section on healthcare deserts. Features maps with shadings indicating economic status and urbanicity level of Appalachian counties.
Author(s): Saumya Jain, Eric Lind, Andrew Owen, Shirley Shiqin Liu
Date: 02/2024
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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An Exploration of Rural Housing Insecurity As A Public Health Problem in California's Rural Northern Counties
Explores housing insecurity in rural contexts through interviews with 153 adults in California's North State, a rural region with relatively high rates of poverty and unemployment. Discusses challenges related to housing affordability and availability, stability, quality, and community participation, including housing's influence on access to essential services and employment.
Author(s): Tamar MJ Antin, Emile Sanders, Sharon Lipperman-Kreda, Geoffrey Hunt, Rachelle Annechino
Citation: Journal of Community Health, 49(4), 644-655
Date: 02/2024
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Aging Our Way, PA: A Plan for Lifelong Independence
Draft of a master plan for aging (MPA) for Pennsylvania. Highlights 5 priorities areas and their associated strategies and tactics related to access to services, aging in place, independence, caregiving, and awareness building. Includes rural throughout.
Date: 02/2024
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Department of Aging
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Optimizing Postpartum Care in Rural Communities: Insights from Women in Arizona and Implications for Policy
Analyzes the postpartum care needs of women living in rural Arizona. Reports on interview feedback from 30 women structured around themes of maternity care and networks of care, structural support and systems, and health information and literacy. Discusses potential implications for policy and practice related to rural postpartum care.
Author(s): Abidemi Okechukwu, Priscilla Magrath, Halimatou Alaofe, et al.
Citation: Maternal and Child Health Journal, 28, 1148-1159
Date: 02/2024
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What Does Pharmacy Access Look like in Your Area?
Interactive map showing the number of pharmacies and pharmacies per 1,000 people at the state and county level. Includes the option to view pharmacy access by demographic variables.
Date: 02/2024
Sponsoring organization: The Associated Press
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Accessibility of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in the US
Analyzes travel time to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) sites at the census tract level using 2021 American Community Survey data. Highlights differences in travel time to PR services by race and ethnicity, particularly among American Indian and Alaska Native population. Discusses access barriers faced by people in rural areas.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 7(2), e2354867
Date: 02/2024
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