Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services
The Frontier of Harm Reduction: Expanding Services for Rural People Who Use Drugs
Describes how harm reduction approaches help reduce health risks related to substance use and explains how these approaches are being adapted in rural areas. Highlights innovative harm reduction strategies being used in rural communities in Alaska, Wisconsin, and South Dakota.
Author(s): Brendan Stermer
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Describes how harm reduction approaches help reduce health risks related to substance use and explains how these approaches are being adapted in rural areas. Highlights innovative harm reduction strategies being used in rural communities in Alaska, Wisconsin, and South Dakota.
Author(s): Brendan Stermer
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Homicides Among Infants in the United States, 2017–2020
Report details the rate of infant homicides from 2017-2020. Highlights the factors that correlate with infant homicide such as the age of mother, access to prenatal care, level of education, and rurality, among other factors.
Author(s): Isabelle Horon, Anne K. Driscoll
Citation: National Vital Statistics Reports, 72(9)
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Report details the rate of infant homicides from 2017-2020. Highlights the factors that correlate with infant homicide such as the age of mother, access to prenatal care, level of education, and rurality, among other factors.
Author(s): Isabelle Horon, Anne K. Driscoll
Citation: National Vital Statistics Reports, 72(9)
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Jumping Through Hoops: Community Care Clinician and Staff Experiences Providing Primary Care to Rural Veterans
Presents a study on the experiences of rural, non-VA clinicians who treat rural veterans. Discusses some of the challenges rural providers face providing care to veterans via the MISSION Act. Explores issues regarding communication, accessing medical records, and responsibility sharing with the VA, among others.
Author(s): Mary Patzel, Chrystal Barnes, NithyaPriya Ramalingam, et al.
Citation: Journal of General Internal Medicine, 38(3), 821–828
Date: 07/2023
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Presents a study on the experiences of rural, non-VA clinicians who treat rural veterans. Discusses some of the challenges rural providers face providing care to veterans via the MISSION Act. Explores issues regarding communication, accessing medical records, and responsibility sharing with the VA, among others.
Author(s): Mary Patzel, Chrystal Barnes, NithyaPriya Ramalingam, et al.
Citation: Journal of General Internal Medicine, 38(3), 821–828
Date: 07/2023
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Although IHS Allocated COVID-19 Testing Funds to Meet Community Needs, It Did Not Ensure That the Funds Were Always Used in Accordance with Federal Requirements
Presents results of an audit of Indian Health Service (IHS) funds for COVID-19 testing. Examines if 10 IHS Direct, Tribal, and Urban Indian Organizations (UIO) in the Great Plains Area Office allocated COVID-19 testing funds to meet community needs, the effectiveness of the funding allocation, and if the funding was used in accordance with federal requirements. Outlines recommendations to IHS, as well as IHS comments and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service Office of the Inspector General's response.
Additional links: Report in Brief
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Presents results of an audit of Indian Health Service (IHS) funds for COVID-19 testing. Examines if 10 IHS Direct, Tribal, and Urban Indian Organizations (UIO) in the Great Plains Area Office allocated COVID-19 testing funds to meet community needs, the effectiveness of the funding allocation, and if the funding was used in accordance with federal requirements. Outlines recommendations to IHS, as well as IHS comments and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service Office of the Inspector General's response.
Additional links: Report in Brief
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Updated Medicare FFS Telehealth Trends by Beneficiary Characteristics, Visit Specialty and State, 2019-2021
Examines telehealth visits by Medicare beneficiaries from 2019 through 2021. Compares telehealth use by patient characteristics, including urban and rural residence and Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), visit specialty, health conditions, and state.
Author(s): Lok Wong Samson, Sara J. Couture, Tim B. Creedon, Laura Jacobus-Kantor, Steven Sheingold
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Examines telehealth visits by Medicare beneficiaries from 2019 through 2021. Compares telehealth use by patient characteristics, including urban and rural residence and Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), visit specialty, health conditions, and state.
Author(s): Lok Wong Samson, Sara J. Couture, Tim B. Creedon, Laura Jacobus-Kantor, Steven Sheingold
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Evaluation of the Vermont All-Payer Accountable Care Organization Model: Third Evaluation Report
Evaluates the first four and a half performance years of the Vermont All-Payer Accountable Care Organization Model (VTAPM), which aims to assess whether scaling an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) across all payers in the state can reduce program expenditures while preserving or improving care quality. Discusses the implementation of the model, provider engagement, efforts to address population health goals; characteristics of participating hospitals, practitioners, and beneficiaries; and the model's impacts on Medicare spending, utilization, and quality of care. Describes trends in substance use disorder diagnosis and treatment for Medicaid members. Outlines challenges and lessons learned, as well as areas for future research.
Additional links: Findings at a Glance, Technical Appendices
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, NORC at the University of Chicago
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Evaluates the first four and a half performance years of the Vermont All-Payer Accountable Care Organization Model (VTAPM), which aims to assess whether scaling an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) across all payers in the state can reduce program expenditures while preserving or improving care quality. Discusses the implementation of the model, provider engagement, efforts to address population health goals; characteristics of participating hospitals, practitioners, and beneficiaries; and the model's impacts on Medicare spending, utilization, and quality of care. Describes trends in substance use disorder diagnosis and treatment for Medicaid members. Outlines challenges and lessons learned, as well as areas for future research.
Additional links: Findings at a Glance, Technical Appendices
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, NORC at the University of Chicago
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Telemedicine and the Carbon Footprint of Healthcare: An Empirical Analysis of Illinois Counties
Examines the impact of telemedicine on reducing carbon emissions in Illinois. Provides metro versus nonmetro estimates as well as county-level estimates of carbon emissions savings in both outpatient and hospital settings.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
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Examines the impact of telemedicine on reducing carbon emissions in Illinois. Provides metro versus nonmetro estimates as well as county-level estimates of carbon emissions savings in both outpatient and hospital settings.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
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The Interplay of Financial Toxicity, Health Care Team Communication, and Psychosocial Well-being among Rural Cancer Patients and Survivors
Examines the relationship among financial toxicity, healthcare team communication, and psychosocial health among rural oncology patients. Analyzes 273 patients who participated in the Cancer Support Community's Cancer Experience Registry between 2017-2023 by demographic information, depression, anxiety, social functioning, and healthcare team communication variables and their correlation with financial toxicity.
Author(s): Melissa F. Miller, Julie S. Olson, Kara Doughtie, Alexandra K. Zaleta, Kimberly P. Rogers
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 40(1), 128-137
Date: 07/2023
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Examines the relationship among financial toxicity, healthcare team communication, and psychosocial health among rural oncology patients. Analyzes 273 patients who participated in the Cancer Support Community's Cancer Experience Registry between 2017-2023 by demographic information, depression, anxiety, social functioning, and healthcare team communication variables and their correlation with financial toxicity.
Author(s): Melissa F. Miller, Julie S. Olson, Kara Doughtie, Alexandra K. Zaleta, Kimberly P. Rogers
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 40(1), 128-137
Date: 07/2023
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Perceived Barriers and Benefits of COVID-19 Testing among Pacific Islanders on Guam
Results of a project aiming to promote COVID-19 testing among Pacific Islanders using culturally relevant community-tailored strategies with culturally and linguistically appropriate educational materials, and to identify the factors associated with COVID-19 testing. Uses data collected from June 2021 to July 2022.
Author(s): Rachael T. Leon Guerrero, Angelina G. Mummert, Dareon C. Rios, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(13), 6302
Date: 07/2023
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Results of a project aiming to promote COVID-19 testing among Pacific Islanders using culturally relevant community-tailored strategies with culturally and linguistically appropriate educational materials, and to identify the factors associated with COVID-19 testing. Uses data collected from June 2021 to July 2022.
Author(s): Rachael T. Leon Guerrero, Angelina G. Mummert, Dareon C. Rios, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(13), 6302
Date: 07/2023
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Addressing the Opioid Crisis: A Look at the Evolving Landscape of Federal OUD Treatment Policies
Provides an overview of 5 federal policies that impacted the provision of opioid use disorder (OUD) treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Covers regulations related to buprenorphine medication, methadone dispensing programs, overdose prevention and reversal methods, and leveraging Medicaid for pre- and post-release from prison OUD treatment services. Discusses how state laws may limit federal efforts.
Author(s): Heather Saunders, Nirmita Panchal
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Provides an overview of 5 federal policies that impacted the provision of opioid use disorder (OUD) treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Covers regulations related to buprenorphine medication, methadone dispensing programs, overdose prevention and reversal methods, and leveraging Medicaid for pre- and post-release from prison OUD treatment services. Discusses how state laws may limit federal efforts.
Author(s): Heather Saunders, Nirmita Panchal
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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