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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services

Barriers to Rural Health Care From the Provider Perspective
Results of a study using data from interviews with 20 healthcare providers in rural areas of western Pennsylvania. Explores barriers to care, including cost and insurance, geographic dispersion, and provider shortage and burnout. Offers strategies for improvement, including use of telehealth, mobile clinics, and increased use of advanced practice providers.
Author(s): Avinash Maganty, Mary E. Byrnes, Megan Hamm, et al.
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 23(2), 7769
Date: 05/2023
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Vaccine Hesitancy and the Willingness to Recommend the COVID-19 Vaccine to Children in a Rural County on the United States-Mexico Border
Presents the results of a 2022 survey in Cochise County, Arizona evaluating the readiness of Latinx adults to recommend vaccinating children under 5 years and children 5 to 12 years of age. Discusses characteristics linked to support for COVID-19 vaccination of these two groups and other issues regarding the vaccination of children from these groups.
Author(s): Raghu D. Darisi, Audrey J. Buckland, Mario Morales, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 11
Date: 05/2023
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Understanding the U.S. Behavioral Health Workforce Shortage
Discusses the shortage of behavioral health professionals across the country and highlights some of the contributing factors. Breaks down factors affecting licensed providers, clinical supporters, community care workers, and frontline workers. Makes recommendations for policymakers and includes considerations for rural areas.
Author(s): Nathaniel Counts
Date: 05/2023
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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Accountable Health Communities (AHC) Model Evaluation: Second Evaluation Report
Provides an overview of the Accountable Health Communities (ACH) Model, which tests whether identifying and addressing core health-related social needs (HRSNs) of community-dwelling beneficiaries improves health outcomes, reduces healthcare costs, and reduces unnecessary healthcare utilization. Explores the context in which the AHC Model was implemented and the model's impacts on Medicaid, FFS Medicare, and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries. Presents information on participating organizations that had rural areas within their geographic target areas (GTAs) and compares outcomes among urban and rural participants.
Additional links: Findings at a Glance
Date: 05/2023
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, RTI International
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Behavioral Health Conditions Reach Crisis Levels: Counties Urge Stronger Intergovernmental Partnerships and Outcomes
Features a number of counties throughout the nation and details their behavioral health needs and access challenges. Presents each county as a case study. Describes the policy priorities for each county and the barriers to access. Several of the featured counties are rural.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 05/2023
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Counties
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The Use of Qualitative Methods to Guide the Development of the Border Resilience Scale in a Participatory Research Study
Highlights a study on the effect of social and ecological stressors for Mexican-origin adults residing along the U.S.-Mexico border on their physical and psychological health. Explores the factors that contribute to community resilience and emotional and physical wellness.
Author(s): Maia Ingram, Karina R. DueƱas, Idolina Castro, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(9), 5703
Date: 05/2023
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340B Drug Discount Program: Information about Hospitals That Received an Eligibility Exception as a Result of COVID-19
Provides an overview of a provision of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, that allowed hospitals to request an exception to the disproportionate share hospital (DSH) percentage eligibility requirement if they were unable to meet it due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Explores the exception process and provides information on hospitals that received the exception. Discusses the amount of 340B drug purchases and discounts that excepted hospitals indicated they had in 2020 and 2021; the extent to which excepted hospitals indicated providing discounts on 340B drugs to low-income, uninsured patients; and results of the Health Resources and Services Administration's audits and oversight activities to assess program compliance.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 05/2023
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Rural-Urban Disparities in Preventive Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women With Early-Onset Dementia
Results of a study examining the differences in use of preventive cancer screenings between patients with or without early-onset Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), and comparing use of the screenings in rural versus urban areas. Features statistics on rates of preventive Pap smears and mammograms, with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Author(s): Wendy Y. Xu, Eli Raver, Jeah Jung, et al.
Citation: BMC Women's Health, 23, 255
Date: 05/2023
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Service-Obligated Providers in New York State
Research brief profiling the health professionals fulfilling service obligations in New York State through federal or state provider incentive programs as of March 2022. Discusses Health Professional Shortage Area placements and J-1 visa waivers. Features statistics including the number and per capita rate of service-obligated providers by region of practice and a list of New York State counties with breakdowns by urban or rural status.
Additional links: Overview: Service-Obligated Providers in New York State
Author(s): Robert Martiniano, Alexandra Romero, Jean Moore
Date: 05/2023
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Workforce Studies
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Purposefully Investing in the Tribal Home Visiting Workforce
Examines the Tribal Home Visiting workforce and the various programs that impact the well-being of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations. Includes stories from home visitor staff regarding their work with AI/AN populations, culturally sensitive programming, recruitment and retention strategies, and management of appropriate compensation and training opportunities for the home visiting workforce.
Date: 05/2023
Sponsoring organization: Tribal Home Visiting
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