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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities

Factors Affecting Adoption of Coordinated Anxiety Learning and Management (CALM) in Veterans' Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinics
Explores the efficacy of a training program designed to educate rural providers on evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs) in VHA affiliated clinics. Details the barriers and facilitators of the program in rural areas and features the perspectives of providers who participated in the program.
Author(s): Anthony H. Ecker, Traci H. Abraham, Lindsey A. Martin, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 37(2), 447-455
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
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Family-Centered Prevention Effects on the Association Between Racial Discrimination and Mental Health in Black Adolescents: Secondary Analysis of 2 Randomized Clinical Trials
Details a study exploring the efficacy of family-centered prevention programs in protecting rural Black adolescents from the mental health consequences of racial discrimination. Highlights two programs operating in 12 rural counties in Georgia. Breaks down data for both programs by family socioeconomic risk, encountered discrimination, and depressive/anxious symptoms, among other factors.
Author(s): Gene H. Brody, Tianyi Yu, Edith Chen, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 4(3), e211964
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
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Healing Tool - Pocket Guide for Addressing Behavioral Health Goals in Native Communities
Provides data and strategies for addressing mental health and substance use issues in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Discusses issues around stigma, medication-assisted treatment, and traditional healing practices, among other measures, for creating culturally competent care in tribal communities.
Author(s): Shirley M. Cain
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National American Indian and Alaska Native Addiction Technology Transfer Center
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Minority Health and Health Disparities Strategic Plan 2021–2025
Planning document presenting goals to address health disparities through scientific research, activities that sustain research, and outreach efforts. Describes health disparity populations, including racial and ethnic minority, rural, less privileged socioeconomic status (SES), and sexual and gender minorities (SGM) populations. Outlines plans to implement research projects and activities, and discusses Leap Forward priority areas that will advance research methods in minority health and health disparities.
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), National Institutes of Health
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Behavioral Health Care in the Military Health System: Access and Quality for Remote Service Members
Explores the role geographic location plays in access to behavioral healthcare for service members through the Military Health System (MHS). Highlights the challenges of rural service members to access care for depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance use disorder through MHS. Breaks down data by age, race, gender, and remote versus non-remote location, among other measures.
Additional links: Full Report
Author(s): Kimberly A. Hepner, Ryan Andrew Brown, Carol P. Roth, et al.
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
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COVID-19: Sustained Federal Action Is Crucial as Pandemic Enters Its Second Year
Discusses the federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Provides an overview of federal actions on healthcare and economic policy areas through March 10, 2021, including data on vaccine administration and COVID-19 relief spending. Offers 28 new recommendations to federal agencies regarding public health, the economy, and program integrity that would improve the federal response.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis
Documentation of a March 23, 2021, House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies hearing on maternal health disparities. Discusses causes and possible policy options to reduce these disparities.
Date: 03/2021
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
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Evidence-based Health Promotion Programs among American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Communities
Report details disparities in healthcare access for American Indian (AI), Alaska Native (AN), and Native Hawaiian (NH) communities. Discusses the role the Older American Act has played in providing services to AI/AN/NH populations and highlights the results of a survey of directors and staff of programs funded through the act on its efficacy and challenges. Explores evidence-based practices aimed at health promotion and disease prevention in AI/AN/NH communities and discusses the experience of both program directors and the elders in the community.
Additional links: Perspectives from Older Americans Act Title VI Directors and Staff on Health Promotion Programs in Indigenous Communities, Successful Strategies & Lessons Learned from Implementing Evidence-Based Programs in American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Communities, The Voices of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Elders
Author(s): Collette Adamsen, Becky Bendixen, Melody Woodrich-Fernando, et al.
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Council on Aging
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Hospitals Reported That the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Significantly Strained Health Care Delivery
Examines how the COVID-19 pandemic response impacted hospitals' capacity to care for patients, staff, and communities, based on a February 22-26, 2021 brief survey of hospital administrators. Includes discussion of challenges faced by rural hospitals related to hospital operations and rural access to vaccinations.
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Examining Our COVID-19 Response: An Update from Federal Officials
Recording of a March 18, 2021, Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing on the federal response to COVID-19, including the development of public health guidance, equitable vaccine distribution, approaches to address vaccine hesitancy, and other steps necessary to end the pandemic.
Date: 03/2021
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
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