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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Frontier and remote areas

Health Impacts of Methamphetamine Use in Alaska
Presents a report on methamphetamine use in Alaska. Analyzes rates of usage and mortality by demographics, such as age and region of the state, among others.
Author(s): Laura Coughlin, Deborah Hull-Jilly
Citation: State of Alaska Epidemiology Bulletin, 19(4)
Date: 11/2017
Sponsoring organization: Alaska Division of Public Health
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Promising Practice: Nevada SORH Digs Up Data on Rural and Frontier Counties
Describes the process for creating the Nevada Rural and Frontier Health Data Book, which is published biennially by the Nevada State Office of Rural Health (NV SORH) and compiles comprehensive rural and frontier health related data for all counties within the state. Provides information and data for legislators, hospital administrators, and county commissioners.
Author(s): Beth Blevins
Date: 07/2017
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
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Oregon Rural And Frontier Health Facility Listening Tour, 2017
Reports on common issues, themes, and challenges found on the Oregon Office of Rural Health's 2017 rural and frontier health facility listening tour. Includes a focus on the behavioral health system and provides county-level statistics on key indicators, such as mortality, healthcare utilization, unemployment, substance abuse, and more.
Date: 2017
Sponsoring organization: Oregon Office of Rural Health
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Rural Health Networks and Care Coordination: Health Care Innovation in Frontier Communities to Improve Patient Outcomes and Reduce Health Care Costs
Discusses the findings of a single-case, community-based participatory design study in a frontier community in northern Minnesota to determine the effectiveness of developing a community care team focused on collaboration and care coordination to improve patient outcomes and reduce emergency room use.
Author(s): Pat Conway, Heidi Favet, Laurie Hall, Jenny Uhrich, Jeanette Palcher, et al.
Citation: Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 27(4A), 91–115
Date: 11/2016
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Integrated Care in a Frontier Community
Examines the Southeast Health Group (SHG) in La Junta, Colorado, which coordinates physical and behavioral health using patient-centered, wellness-based care coordination to empower patients and promote self-directed care. Focuses on hiring providers who share SHG's philosophy of care, using community resources, and engaging peer support specialists.
Date: 07/2016
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
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Definition of Frontier
Policy paper discussing the various definitions of frontier and the methodologies for determining the different definitions. Offers support to state and federal programs in their selection of the most appropriate definition to attain their program goals.
Author(s): Susan Wilger
Date: 02/2016
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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National Characteristics of Emergency Medical Services in Frontier and Remote Areas
Outlines national characteristics and outcomes of emergency medical services in frontier and remote (FAR) areas. Includes patient demographics, provider clinical impressions and injuries, and procedures performed in FAR and non-FAR patients.
Author(s): Landon R. Mueller, John P. Donnelly, Karen E. Jacobson, et al.
Citation: Prehospital Emergency Care, 20(2), 191-199
Date: 2016
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Designation of Frontier Health Professional Shortage Areas
Discusses the frontier-specific health professional shortage area designation and the unique characteristics attributed to frontier areas that may contribute to a more fragile healthcare delivery system and a greater need for healthcare professionals. Includes policy recommendations supporting an appropriate designation, improved healthcare access, and assistance in recruiting healthcare providers.
Author(s): Susan Wilger, Charlie Alfero
Date: 04/2015
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Paediatric Trauma on the Last Frontier: An 11-Year Review of Injury Mechanisms, High-Risk Injury Patterns and Outcomes in Alaskan Children
Describes the development of a pediatric trauma system in remote, very rural, and urban Alaska from 2001 to 2011 using trauma data for all children 17 years and under. Includes comparative data for the type of injury and frequency, geographic region, high risk patterns, and outcomes.
Author(s): Christopher W. Snyder, Oliver J. Muensterer, Frank Sacco, Shawn D. Safford
Citation: International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 73(1)
Date: 08/2014
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The Role of Community Health Centers in Assessing the Social Determinants of Health for Planning and Policy: The Example of Frontier New Mexico
Discusses the use of the Tool for Health and Resilience in Vulnerable Environments (THRIVE) by a frontier-based community health center in New Mexico for evaluating and addressing social determinants of health.
Author(s): Sean Bruna, Lisa Cacari Stone, Susan Wilger, Jeremy Cantor, Carolina Guzman
Citation: Journal of Ambulatory Care Management, 37(3), 258-268
Date: 07/2014
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