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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Behavioral health

Rural–Urban Differences in Substance Use During Pregnancy
Examines perinatal substance use in rural and urban populations. Utilizes 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data to analyze 3,499 pregnant women according to rural, small urban, and large urban location, as well as by demographic variables, health status, and type of substance use.
Author(s): Emma Kathryn Boswell, Olivia M. Hinds, Cassie Odahowski, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 03/2025
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Pilot Implementation of a Telehealth Safety Planning Group Intervention for Suicidal Rural Veterans Enhanced by Lived Experience Veteran Peer Participation
Describes a pilot virtual suicide intervention program utilizing lived-experience rural peers offered to rural Arkansas veterans. Discusses successful implementation of peer recovery leaders and program impacts on firearm storage practices. Offers lessons learned and recommendations to those considering a similar program.
Author(s): Marianne Goodman, Madison Strouse, Caroline Boucher, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Psychiatry, 16
Date: 03/2025
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Children's Advocacy Centers: Literature Review: A Product of the Model Programs Guide
A literature review discussing the history of children's advocacy centers (CACs), characteristics of CACs and their services, characteristics of children using CACs, and their effectiveness. Discusses rural throughout.
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
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Pharmacy-Related Syringe Access Barriers: An Audit of Oregon Community Pharmacies
Examines barriers to purchasing over-the-counter (OTC) syringes in Oregon pharmacies. Utilizes a telephone audit (secret shopper) methodology to examine 425 pharmacies' willingness to sell OTC syringes by pharmacy type, syringe services program (SSP) availability, overdose rates, and rural versus urban county type.
Author(s): Victor Abreu, Marissa McGinnis, Savannah Justen, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 22, 37
Date: 03/2025
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Beliefs of US Chiefs of Police about Substance Use Disorder, Fentanyl Exposure, Overdose Response, and Use of Discretion: Results from a National Survey
Examines police chief perceptions regarding substance use. Focuses on issues such as discretion when making arrests, overdose response, risks of fentanyl exposure, de-escalation practices, harmful drugs in their communities, and buprenorphine obtained via illicit means. Analyzes survey data from 276 police chiefs regarding their knowledge and attitudes on addiction and policing, with breakdowns according to their region, urbanicity, and experience.
Author(s): Amelia Bailey, Barbara Andraka-Christou, Saba Rouhani, et al.
Citation: Health & Justice, 13, 13
Date: 03/2025
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Lung Cancer Disparities in Rural, Persistent Poverty Counties: A Secondary Data Analysis
Examines lung cancer incidence and mortality according to county-level smoking rates, rurality, and poverty. Analyzes county types, such as urban and non-persistent poverty, urban and persistent poverty, rural and non-persistent poverty, and rural and persistent poverty as correlated with lung cancer disparities.
Author(s): Veronica Bernacchi, Kelly Hirko, Eric Adjei Boakye, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 25, 878
Date: 03/2025
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How Latine Youth's Positive Development Unfold Through Farmwork in Rural Migrant Farmworker Families in the U.S. Midwest
Presents a study on the experiences of Latine youth in rural farmworker communities and evaluates their behavioral health and well-being. Aims to evaluate prosocial behaviors, civic responsibility, and ego-resiliency based on their experiences.
Author(s): Xue Jiang, Zoe E. Taylor, Gustavo Carlo, et al.
Citation: Journal of Research on Adolescence, 35(1), e13053
Date: 03/2025
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North Carolina Mental Health - Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA)
County-level map of Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) in North Carolina, with shadings showing ranges of HPSA scores.
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Office of Rural Health
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Texas Border Health Data Overview
Presentation slides providing data on population, noncommunicable disease, mental and behavioral health, maternal and child health, and injuries in Texas's border region. Includes data comparisons between border and non-border counties.
Author(s): Rhae Cisneros
Date: 02/2025
Sponsoring organization: Texas Health and Human Services
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Exposure to Firearm Injury and Suicide in a Rural Pennsylvania County: Implications for Mental and Behavioral Health
Presents a study exploring the relationship gun violence exposure and behavioral health indicators among a rural population. Bases findings on a survey of 630 residents of a rural county in Pennsylvania. Breaks down data by behavioral health indicator, level of exposure, and demographic information, such as age, sex, and economic situation, among other measures.
Author(s): Richard Stansfield, Daniel C. Semenza, Devon Ziminski
Citation: Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 48(1), 188-198
Date: 02/2025
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