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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Frontier and remote areas

Rural Health Research Recap: Rural Hospital Closures: 2023 Update
Summarizes recent research from Rural Health Research Centers examining hospital closures. Features statistics including number of acute hospitals as of 2020 with breakdowns by type and location, rural hospital closures from 2005-2022 with breakdowns by isolated rural, small rural, and large rural location, and numbers of closures by year from 2005-2022 with breakdowns by complete or converted closures.
Author(s): Per Ostmo
Date: 06/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Research Gateway
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Challenges and Solutions for Disaster Behavioral Health in Rural and Remote Communities
Describes the scope and diversity of rural and remote populations across the nation, highlighting sources of strength and struggle, including the effects of stigma, for rural Americans and rural healthcare providers. Explores potential approaches to disaster behavioral health in rural and remote areas, including governmental and policy approaches, community-based approaches, and telemedicine.
Date: 04/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center
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Colorado: Rural Health Facilities within County Designations, 2023
Identifies Colorado counties by rural, urban, and frontier designations and the location of Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs).
Date: 03/2023
Type: Map/Mapping System
Sponsoring organization: Colorado Rural Health Center
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Analysis of Substance Use and Suicidal Ideation in Midwestern Frontier and Non-Frontier Locations
Evaluated emergency department data in South Dakota from 2017 to 2018 to identify ED usage by frontier and non-frontier residents for substance use disorder and suicidal ideation. Discusses usage by substance and the connection between substance use and suicidal ideation.
Author(s): Alexandra Dolezal, Marie Severson, Rusul Ali, Phil Dohn, Lisa McFadden
Citation: South Dakota Medicine, 76(1), 24-27
Date: 01/2023
Type: Document
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2023 Wyoming Healthy Aging Data Report
A report covering the aging population in Wyoming using the American Community Survey. Includes information on the distribution of the 65 and older population, elderly in frontier areas, chronic diseases, social determinants of health, race, income, broadband, and more. Includes county profiles and maps on healthy aging indicators.
Date: 2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Point32Health Foundation
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Patient and Provider Perceptions of COVID-19-Driven Telehealth Use From Nurse-Led Care Models in Rural, Frontier, and Urban Colorado Communities
Compares rural/frontier and urban perceptions of telehealth in 3 nurse-led models of care in Colorado: Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), nurse midwifery practices, and the Nurse-Family partnership program. Analyzes surveys from 308 patient respondents and 88 provider respondents and includes data about respondent characteristics, patient engagement, patient trust, provider experience, quality of healthcare visits, and more.
Author(s): Amy J Barton, Claudia R Amura, Emileigh L Willems, et al.
Citation: Technology and Digital Innovations in Patient Experience, 10
Date: 2023
Type: Document
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5-Year Strategic Plan: How Primary Care Investments Can Increase Access, Improve Quality, Lower Costs, Promote Health Equity & Address Workforce Needs
Details the New Mexico strategic plan to improve primary care by increasing access, improving healthcare quality, implementing financing reforms, promoting workforce sustainability, and integrating behavioral health into primary care. Discusses issues disproportionately represented in rural and frontier areas and provides county-level maps depicting social vulnerability and Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) recipients. Provides models and best practices in primary care with examples specific to rural areas.
Date: 2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: New Mexico Primary Care Council
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HAI/AR Rural, Frontier, and Small LHDs Exploratory Survey and In-Depth Interview Analysis & Resources
Provides information related to Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), and Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) issues in rural, frontier, and small local health departments (LHDs). Includes links to survey results regarding HAIs, AMR, and AMS initiatives; report on HAIs, AMR, and AMS-focused interviews held with LHDs and other rural partners; infographics to explain results of respective survey and report; and a 6-part blog series covering HAIs, AMR, and AMS issues.
Author(s): Jaclyn Abramson
Date: 12/2022
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: National Association of County and City Health Officials
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Rural Local Health Department Partnership in Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI), Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS): In-Depth Interviews Report
Reports on an assessment of rural, frontier, and small local health departments (LHDs) and their engagement with Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI), Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), and Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) initiatives. Provides performance information on LHDs engaged in initiatives to address HAI, AMR, and AMS, barriers preventing LHDs from engaging in initiatives, and overall workforce development and capacity of LHDs. Discusses the May 2022 interviews of 11 LHD representatives and 2 non-local health departments and includes results and recommendations.
Additional links: Infographic
Date: 07/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Health Communications Consultants, Inc., National Association of County and City Health Officials
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Rural Local Health Department Partnership in Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI), Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS): Exploratory Survey Report
Provides results from an exploratory survey to identify and evaluate rural, frontier, and small local health departments (LHDs) engaged in Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI), Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) initiatives. Presents results from a March 2022 survey related to staff training and competency; barriers to engaging in HAI, AMR, and AMS initiatives; and collaborations used when engaging in initiatives.
Additional links: Infographic
Author(s): Sarah D. Matthews, Sandra Ruzycki
Date: 04/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Health Communications Consultants, Inc., National Association of County and City Health Officials
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