Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access
Rural Health Disparities and Differences in Definitions of Rurality
Examines health disparities and differences in healthcare characteristics between rural and nonrural counties using data from the 2023 County Health Rankings and 2021-2022 Area Health Resources Files. Compares community health and healthcare characteristics by two county-level urban-rural classification systems: Rural-Urban Continuum Codes (RUCC) and Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs). Explores the degree to which four county-level classification systems - RUCC, CBSA, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for Counties, and Urban Influence Codes (UIC) - agree regarding which counties are designated as rural.
Date: 02/2025
Sponsoring organizations: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, NORC at the University of Chicago
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Examines health disparities and differences in healthcare characteristics between rural and nonrural counties using data from the 2023 County Health Rankings and 2021-2022 Area Health Resources Files. Compares community health and healthcare characteristics by two county-level urban-rural classification systems: Rural-Urban Continuum Codes (RUCC) and Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs). Explores the degree to which four county-level classification systems - RUCC, CBSA, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for Counties, and Urban Influence Codes (UIC) - agree regarding which counties are designated as rural.
Date: 02/2025
Sponsoring organizations: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, NORC at the University of Chicago
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2025 National Guidelines for a Behavioral Health Coordinated System of Crisis Care
Report details national guidelines to establish a behavioral health crisis care system. Provides a number of guiding principles for crisis services, such as person-centered care, accessibility, and trauma-informed care, among others. Discusses considerations for rural and tribal areas, including rural case-studies.
Additional links: Model Definitions
Author(s): Christopher D. Carroll, Tison Thomas, John Palmieri
Date: 01/2025
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Report details national guidelines to establish a behavioral health crisis care system. Provides a number of guiding principles for crisis services, such as person-centered care, accessibility, and trauma-informed care, among others. Discusses considerations for rural and tribal areas, including rural case-studies.
Additional links: Model Definitions
Author(s): Christopher D. Carroll, Tison Thomas, John Palmieri
Date: 01/2025
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Rural Recovery Innovations
Fact sheet explores promising practices for expanding behavioral health recovery services to rural communities. Highlights strategies for growing peer support workforce, building community connections, and developing rural behavioral health ecosystems, among other factors.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Fact sheet explores promising practices for expanding behavioral health recovery services to rural communities. Highlights strategies for growing peer support workforce, building community connections, and developing rural behavioral health ecosystems, among other factors.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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South Dakota Department of Health 2025 Annual Report
Describes activities and accomplishments of the South Dakota Department of Health. Includes sections on public health preparedness and response, rural health, emergency medical services, health information technology, family and community health, and licensure and accreditation. Features the strategic plan for 2025-2027.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: South Dakota Department of Health
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Describes activities and accomplishments of the South Dakota Department of Health. Includes sections on public health preparedness and response, rural health, emergency medical services, health information technology, family and community health, and licensure and accreditation. Features the strategic plan for 2025-2027.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: South Dakota Department of Health
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RTTC - Utilizing Telementoring to Bolster the Rural Workforce
Webinar recording discussing the value of telementoring in supporting the rural workforce and addressing rural healthcare shortages. Details the role of the Rural Telementoring Training Center (RTTC) in providing resources and assistance for telementoring, and highlights program examples representing a variety of models and communities.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Author(s): Suyen Schneegans, Laura Potter, Trisha Melhado
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: Heartland Telehealth Resource Center
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Webinar recording discussing the value of telementoring in supporting the rural workforce and addressing rural healthcare shortages. Details the role of the Rural Telementoring Training Center (RTTC) in providing resources and assistance for telementoring, and highlights program examples representing a variety of models and communities.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Author(s): Suyen Schneegans, Laura Potter, Trisha Melhado
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: Heartland Telehealth Resource Center
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Social Network Barriers to Extended-Release Naltrexone Within Rural Appalachia: Perspectives from Justice-Involved Clients and Clinicians
Presents a study on the role of family, friends, and clinicians can play in influencing naltrexone treatment uptake of people with opioid use disorder (POUD) who are incarcerated in Appalachia. Bases findings on interviews with clinicians and breaks down data by sociodemographic characteristics, substance use, and social network composition, among other measures.
Author(s): Amanda M. Bunting, Carrie B. Oser, Marisa Booty, et al.
Citation: Substance Use & Misuse, 60(5), 758-765
Date: 01/2025
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Presents a study on the role of family, friends, and clinicians can play in influencing naltrexone treatment uptake of people with opioid use disorder (POUD) who are incarcerated in Appalachia. Bases findings on interviews with clinicians and breaks down data by sociodemographic characteristics, substance use, and social network composition, among other measures.
Author(s): Amanda M. Bunting, Carrie B. Oser, Marisa Booty, et al.
Citation: Substance Use & Misuse, 60(5), 758-765
Date: 01/2025
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Genetic Services in Appalachia Conference Series
Identifies facilitators and barriers to genetics care provision and access in rural and underserved Appalachian communities, utilizing survey and feedback data of 137 participants in the Genetic Services in Appalachia webinar series. Discusses rural service delivery models, effects of genetic counseling access on rural health disparities, and more.
Author(s): Kimberly M. Kelly, Trupti Dhumal, Virginia G. Scott, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Medical Genetics - Part A, 197(5), e63990
Date: 01/2025
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Identifies facilitators and barriers to genetics care provision and access in rural and underserved Appalachian communities, utilizing survey and feedback data of 137 participants in the Genetic Services in Appalachia webinar series. Discusses rural service delivery models, effects of genetic counseling access on rural health disparities, and more.
Author(s): Kimberly M. Kelly, Trupti Dhumal, Virginia G. Scott, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Medical Genetics - Part A, 197(5), e63990
Date: 01/2025
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Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Prenatal Care Utilization in Arkansas, United States
Examines demographic factors associated with number of prenatal care visits, including data on late prenatal care and no prenatal care, in Arkansas. Utilizes 2014-2022 National Center for Health Statistics birth record data. Includes rural versus urban comparisons for select demographic indicators.
Author(s): Pearl A. McElfish, Aaron Caldwell, Donya Watson, et al.
Citation: Preventive Medicine Reports, 51, 102983
Date: 01/2025
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Examines demographic factors associated with number of prenatal care visits, including data on late prenatal care and no prenatal care, in Arkansas. Utilizes 2014-2022 National Center for Health Statistics birth record data. Includes rural versus urban comparisons for select demographic indicators.
Author(s): Pearl A. McElfish, Aaron Caldwell, Donya Watson, et al.
Citation: Preventive Medicine Reports, 51, 102983
Date: 01/2025
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Telehealth Evolution in California: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities
Reports on trends in telehealth policy, financing, implementation, and use in California, and provides recommendations to increase telehealth access. Discusses rural barriers to telehealth access.
Author(s): Natasha Arora, Maggie Jones
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: California Health Care Foundation
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Reports on trends in telehealth policy, financing, implementation, and use in California, and provides recommendations to increase telehealth access. Discusses rural barriers to telehealth access.
Author(s): Natasha Arora, Maggie Jones
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: California Health Care Foundation
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Health Panel Comment Letter – Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program
Offers comments in response to a December 10, 2024, proposed rule regarding policy and technical changes to the Medicare Advantage program for contract year 2026. Discusses transparency and access to pharmacy services and prescription drugs, network adequacy, notice to providers, and more.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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Offers comments in response to a December 10, 2024, proposed rule regarding policy and technical changes to the Medicare Advantage program for contract year 2026. Discusses transparency and access to pharmacy services and prescription drugs, network adequacy, notice to providers, and more.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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