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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services

Interruptions in Routine Blood Pressure Screening Services among Local Health Departments During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Examines interruptions related to preventive chronic disease interventions in local health departments (LHDs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Provides results from 820 LHDs responding to the Forces of Change (FoC) survey from November 2020 to March 2021 regarding blood pressure screenings, staff capacity, and chronic disease priorities during the pandemic. Includes breakdowns of LHD data by type of governance, Census region, and size of LHD, including those serving fewer than 50,000 people.
Author(s): Margaret C. Cunningham, Jordan Royster, Timothy C. McCall
Citation: Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 29(1),108-111
Date: 01/2023
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Rural–Urban Disparities in Adverse Maternal Outcomes in the United States, 2016–2019
Analyzes maternal mortality and admissions to the intensive care unit (ICU) in rural and urban areas in the U.S. between 2016 and 2019. Utilizes Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) to examine rural versus urban maternal health disparities.
Author(s): Katharine A. Harrington, Natalie A. Cameron, Kasen Culler, William A. Grobman, Sadiya S. Khan
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 113(2), 224-227
Date: 01/2023
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Assessing the Use of Constructs from the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research in U.S. Rural Cancer Screening Promotion Programs: A Systematic Search and Scoping Review
Reports on a literature review examining the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) domains and constructs in rural cancer screening promotion programs. Explains the 5 CFIR domains of intervention, inner setting, outer setting, individuals, and process that influence the success of implementing interventions. Discusses 15 studies that examine how CFIR is used and reflects on how cancer screening promotion programs can be improved in rural areas.
Author(s): Jennifer L. Moss, Kelsey C. Stoltzfus, Madyson L. Popalis, William A. Calo, Jennifer L. Kraschnewski
Citation: BMC Health Services Research, 23, 48
Date: 01/2023
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Rural Resource Guide: Affordable Housing and Recovery in Rural Communities
Provides an overview on federal regulations related to housing applicants with substance use disorder (SUD) and/or criminal charges. Reports on housing programs provided by Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Discusses affordable housing in rural areas as a necessary component in SUD recovery.
Date: 01/2023
Sponsoring organization: Housing Assistance Council
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COVID-19 Mortality Rates across Noncore, Micropolitan, and Metropolitan Counties by Community Characteristics, December 2020-January 2021
Explores differences in COVID-19 mortality rates across rural-urban designations and stratifications by geography, county-level sociodemographic factors, and county-level healthcare factors. Features statistics on mortality rates by rurality and U.S. census region, racial/ethnic composition, and ICU and nursing home bed density, as well as state-level maps showing mortality rates per 100,000 with breakdowns by metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore areas.
Author(s): Whitney E. Zahnd, Khyathi Gadag, Fred Ullrich, Keith J. Mueller
Date: 01/2023
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Filling the Gaps in the Behavioral Health Workforce
Discusses the shortage of licensed behavioral health workers in rural and underserved communities. Explores the roles of behavioral health support specialists and community-initiated care to support licensed behavioral health professionals. Offers policy recommendations to strengthen the roles of the nonclinical workforce.
Date: 01/2023
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Distance and Transportation Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening in a Rural Community
Discusses barriers, facilitators, and intervention needs related to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening at the system, provider, and patient levels. Reports on 40 interviews conducted with clinical practitioners and staff in rural Southern Illinois from 2017 to 2018 about assisting patients with navigating barriers. Focuses on issues of transportation, distance, and access in rural areas.
Author(s): Katharine M.N. Lee, Jean Hunleth, Liz Rolf, et al.
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 14
Date: 01/2023
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Mental Health in Rural New York: Findings and Implications of a Listening Tour with Residents and Professionals
Findings from the Rural Mental Health Listening Tour of New York State, conducted between March 2020 and September 2021 to elicit input and experiences of community members living and working in rural areas. Presents strengths and assets of rural communities, and highlights model programs and success stories. Includes recommendations in categories including access to transportation and broadband, access to mental health programs, availability of services, improving and sustaining workforce capacity, and offers state- and county-specific recommendations.
Author(s): Brett Harris, Katie Gallant, Abby Mariani
Date: 01/2023
Sponsoring organization: NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
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Geographic Disparities in COVID-19 Testing and Outcomes in Florida
Identifies geographic disparities in COVID-19 testing, incidence, hospitalizations, and mortality in Florida from March to July 2020. Provides county-level maps of COVID-19 patterns and discusses how spatial analysis can inform preventive public health interventions.
Author(s): Md Marufuzzaman Khan, Agricola Odoi, Evah W. Odoi
Citation: BMC Public Health, 23, 79
Date: 01/2023
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Assessing the Effectiveness of Policies to Improve Access to Primary Care for Underserved Populations: A Case Study Analysis of Columbia County, Arkansas
Case study of policy initiatives to increase access to primary care, focusing on Columbia County, Arkansas. Discusses workforce shortages, a lack of training opportunities, issues of healthcare access and poverty, mitigating policies, and more.
Author(s): Maanasa Kona, Megan Houston, Jalisa Cark, Emma Walsh-Alker
Date: 01/2023
Sponsoring organization: Milbank Memorial Fund
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