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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Behavioral health

Assessment of Community-Level Vulnerability and Access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder
Study examining access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in relation to social vulnerability to disasters based on zip code tabulation data (ZCTA) for 32,434 counties in the continental U.S. Discusses differences in geographic access to MOUD for rural and urban areas and the potential impacts of disasters on that access, highlighting potential interventions to bolster access to treatment.
Author(s): Paul J. Joudrey, Marynia Kolak, Qinyun Lin, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 5(4), e227028
Date: 04/2022
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Trajectories of Handgun Carrying in Rural Communities From Early Adolescence to Young Adulthood
Results of a study of 2,002 students in 12 communities across 7 states, to explore the patterns, frequency, and duration of handgun carrying among youths growing up in rural areas. Features demographics and statistics including percentage of respondents carrying a handgun at least once in the previous 12 months and frequency of handgun carrying with breakdowns by age.
Author(s): Alice M. Ellyson, Emma L. Gause, Sabrina Oesterle, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 5(4)
Date: 04/2022
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Oversight: The Opioid Crisis in Tribal Communities
Recording of a U.S. House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing focused on the opioid crisis in tribal communities. Includes testimonies from representatives of the Cherokee Nation, the National Council of Urban Indian Health, the Border Patrol Council, and the Riverside-San Bernardino Indian Health.
Additional links: Art Del Cueto Testimony, Chuck Hoskin, Jr. Testimony, Maureen Rosette Testimony, Wayne Cortez Testimony, YouTube Recording
Date: 04/2022
Sponsoring organization: U.S. House of Representatives
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Mental Health Service Use, Suicide Behavior, and Emergency Department Visits Among Rural US Veterans Who Received Video-Enabled Tablets During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Results of a study to examine whether a United States Veterans Affairs initiative to distribute video-enabled tablets during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with mental healthcare access, suicide behavior, or emergency department (ED) visits among rural veterans. Features demographics and statistics on mental health services use and ED visits, with breakdowns by tablet recipients and nonrecipients.
Author(s): Kritee Gujral, James Van Campen, Josephine Jacobs, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 5(4)
Date: 04/2022
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Impact of Telemedicine on Retention in Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Treatment with Buprenorphine in the Times of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Chart Review
Study examining treatment retention for medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) patients via telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on electronic health records of patients at a rural Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Pennsylvania. Discusses the impacts of telemedicine on retention rates, COVID-19-related challenges to treatment delivery systems, and policy measures to support telehealth and MOUD interventions.
Author(s): Jagdeep Kaur, Irakli Mania, Raghavendra Tirupathi, Lakshmi Polavarapu
Citation: Journal of Rural Mental Health, 46(2), 75-81
Date: 04/2022
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Support for Rural Colorado Schools Survey: Opportunities for Philanthropy to Address District Needs
Discusses results from an October 2021 survey in rural Colorado schools about urgent challenges and needed supports. Offers guidance for collaborating with philanthropic funders to meet needs in rural schools to address mental health, staffing shortages, academic support, and other issues.
Author(s): Katrina Boone, Paul Beach, Juliet Squire
Date: 04/2022
Sponsoring organization: Bellwether Education Partners
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The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthy Lifestyles in Rural Families
Evaluates the effects of the early COVID-19 pandemic on family health behaviors, utilizing thematic analysis of 30 interviews conducted from June 2020 through September 2020 with rural caregivers who were participants in a healthy lifestyles intervention. Discusses themes related to mental health, physical activity, time use, approaches to parenting and family routines, and food choice.
Author(s): Keisha M. England, Bethany Forseth, Maheen Bangash, et al.
Citation: Journal of Healthy Eating and Active Living, 2(1), 23-31
Date: 03/2022
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The Impact of COVID-19 on Rural Treatment-Seeking Families with Children with Overweight or Obesity
Presents results of a May 2020 survey on parental stress, personal well-being, and family health behaviors during the early COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizes data from 77 rural Kansas parents whose children were participants in a 2nd to 4th grade pediatric obesity intervention.
Author(s): Bethany Forseth, Kelsey M. Dean, Megan Murray, et al.
Citation: Children's Health Care, 51(3), 300-315
Date: 03/2022
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Rural Disparities in Adolescent Smoking Prevalence
Analyzes surveys of 299,435 12th grade students between 1998 and 2018 to compare smoking prevalence among urban and rural youth. Discusses potential reasons for disparate rates and gaps in the literature regarding e-cigarette use.
Author(s): Sooyong Kim, Arielle Selya
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 38(2), 360-363
Date: 03/2022
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2020 Alabama State Health Assessment
Reports on the health of Alabama residents, providing demographic data and comparing rural and urban areas throughout. Presents county-level data and discussion of 14 selected health indicators, including mental health and substance abuse, access to care, pregnancy outcomes, social determinants of health, and environmental health, among others.
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: Alabama Department of Public Health
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