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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services

Prescription Opioid Use Among Adults With Chronic Pain: United States, 2019
Study examining prescription opioid use to treat chronic pain in adults, breaking down data from the 2019 National Health Interview Survey by pain measures and demographics, sex, veteran status, rurality, and more. Discusses trends in the data to identify population characteristics among users of prescription opioids, and addresses risk of prescription opioid misuse.
Author(s): James M. Dahlhamer, Eric M. Connor, Jonaki Bose, Jacqueline W. Lucas, Carla E. Zelaya
Citation: National Health Statistics Reports, 162, 1-8
Date: 08/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Rural Community Pharmacies' Preparedness for and Responses to COVID-19
Analyzes emergency preparedness for COVID-19 in rural, southeastern community pharmacies and how emergency preparedness responses varied by level of rurality. Utilizes survey data from 62 pharmacists part of the Rural Research Alliance of Community Pharmacies (RURAL-CP), examining COVID-19 information source use, interest in COVID-19 testing, infection control procedures, disaster preparedness training, medication supply impacts, and demographic characteristics, comparing responses from pharmacists located in large rural town, small rural town, and isolated rural town.
Additional links: Poster Presentation
Author(s): Delesha M. Carpenter, Tessa Hastings, Salisa Westrick, et al.
Citation: Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 17, 1327-1331
Date: 07/2021
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A Cross-Sectional Analysis of High Acuity Professional Services Performed by Urban and Rural Emergency Care Physicians Across the United States
Evaluates high acuity service practices between 34,256 metropolitan and nonmetropolitan physicians offering emergency care to Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries. Discusses rural-specific factors that may contribute to disparities.
Author(s): Cameron J. Gettel, Maureen E. Canavan, Margaret B. Greenwood-Ericksen, et al.
Citation: Annals of Emergency Medicine: An International Journal 78(1), 140-149
Date: 07/2021
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Emergence of Wasp Dope in Rural Appalachian Kentucky
Surveyed 278 Appalachian Kentucky adult residents between February 2018 and April 2019 that had used opioids or injected drugs in the previous 30 days about their use of "wasp dope," a drug made from insecticides. Discusses factors associated with wasp dope use. Includes break down of study participants by level of rurality.
Author(s): April M. Young, Melvin Livingston, Rachel Vickers-Smith, Hannah L.F. Cooper
Citation: Addiction, 116(7), 1901-1907
Date: 07/2021
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Access to Lung Cancer Screening in the Veterans Health Administration: Does Geographic Distribution Match Need in the Population?
Highlights a study on access to lung cancer screening in Veterans Health Administration facilities. Examines screening rates in VA facilities in 44 states from 2013-2019. Breaks down data by state and region, as well as percentage of rural veterans screened. Highlights barriers to accessing screening for rural veterans.
Author(s): Jacqueline H. Boudreau, Donald R. Miller, Shirley Qian, et al.
Citation: Chest Journal, 160(1), 358-367
Date: 07/2021
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The Association Between Breast Cancer Capacity and Resources with Incidence and Mortality in Arizona's Low Populous Counties
Study examining breast cancer service capacity and incidence and mortality rates for low populous counties in Arizona based on CMS National Provider Identifier data. Compares rural and urban data and discusses opportunities for increasing access to preventative services.
Author(s): Adrienne B. Lent, Prashanthinie Mohan, Daniel Derksen, et al.
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 21, 6357
Date: 07/2021
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Innovations in Overdose Response: Strategies Implemented by Emergency Medical Services Providers
Reports on the findings of an environmental scan conducted in collaboration with the National Association of EMS Officials looking for new and promising overdose response strategies for state and local EMS providers to increase access to treatment and recovery services. Discusses sharing data for public health surveillance and response, building system-wide partnerships, administering buprenorphine, developing post-overdose response teams, utilizing mobile integrated health clinics, and implementation barriers to be considered.
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organization: Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
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West Virginia Primary Care Provider Shortage Areas, Certified Clinic Locations, and Blood Pressure Medication Nonadherence
County-level map showing locations of West Virginia Rural Health Clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organization: West Virginia Division of Primary Care
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Missouri Behavioral Health System Asset Mapping Project
Presents results of a project exploring community behavioral health systems in Missouri, with a focus on local collaborations, primary health and behavioral health integration, and community behavioral health crisis systems. Presents state-level findings and gaps, as well as regional assessments. Highlights community-level assets, including programs and interventions in rural communities.
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organization: Missouri Foundation for Health
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Understanding Adaptations in the Veteran Health Administration's Transitions Nurse Program: Refining Methodology and Pragmatic Implications for Scale-up
Highlights a study on adaptations to the rural Transitions Nurse Program (TNP) in Veterans Health Administration facilities. Focuses on TNP sites and discusses the adaptations and lessons learned from each.
Author(s): Michaela S. McCarthy, Lexus L. Ujano-De Motta, Mary A. Nunnery, et al.
Citation: Implementation Science, 16, 71
Date: 07/2021
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