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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services

Understanding Declining Rates of Drug Overdose Mortality in Eastern Kentucky
Identifies policies and strategies that might have contributed to the decline in drug overdose mortality in the 5-year periods from 2008-2012 to 2013-2017 in 8 counties in eastern Kentucky. Offers recommendations for approaches that could be implemented in other communities. Includes statistics on overdose mortality in 8 eastern Kentucky counties; a county-level map showing changes in rates of overdose mortality in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Ohio; and a graph showing rates of overdose mortality in the Appalachian counties of Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia from 1999-2019.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organizations: NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis, University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health
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Childhood Immunization During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Texas
Examines childhood vaccination in Texas, comparing rates between May 2010 and May 2020 for rural and urban counties using data from the Texas Immunization Registry. Discusses trends in immunization rates in relation to the risk of vaccine-preventable disease infections.
Author(s): Tasmiah Nuzhath, Kobi V. Ajayi, Qiping Fan, et al.
Citation: Vaccine, 39(25), 3333–3337
Date: 04/2021
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Examining the Potential for Additional Rebalancing of Long-Term Services and Supports
Explores efforts to rebalance long-term services and supports (LTSS) for older adults and people with disabilities toward home and community-based settings. Profiles five states with lower levels of rebalancing compared to the national average: Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Dakota, and West Virginia. Presents findings from interviews with federal and state officials, as well as other stakeholders involved with Medicaid LTSS systems and beneficiaries. Discusses how the COVID-19 public health emergency and flexibilities influenced LTSS services in these states. Offers future considerations for federal and state governments when addressing barriers to home and community-based services.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organizations: Center for Health Care Strategies, Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, RTI International
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Medicaid and Rural Health
Provides an overview of rural residents, including socioeconomic characteristics, insurance status, and health status. Explores the availability of healthcare providers in rural areas, with a focus on primary care providers and hospitals. Discusses the role of Medicaid in rural health, as well as Medicaid policies and services that are important for providing healthcare in rural communities.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Maternal Mortality and Morbidity: Additional Efforts Needed to Assess Program Data for Rural and Underserved Areas
Provides an overview of maternal health disparities in rural and underserved areas, as well as health system, socioeconomic, and patient factors that can contribute to maternal health outcomes. Includes information on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) programs implemented to reduced maternal morbidity and severe maternal mortality. Describes how CDC and HRSA use the data they collect and offers recommendations to improve the utilization of this data and coordination across federal agencies.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Services: Key Findings from the 2020 KFF Women's Health Survey
Presents selected findings from the 2020 KFF Women's Health Survey with a focus on coverage and use of reproductive and sexual health services. Discusses the use and coverage of contraceptives, access to sexual and reproductive healthcare, sexual and reproductive health counseling and education, and more. Includes rural data throughout.
Author(s): Brittni Frederiksen, Usha Ranji, Alina Salganicoff, Michelle Long
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Successful COVID-19 Messaging in Rural Communities
April 20, 2021 webinar in which West Virginia commissioner and state health officer Dr. Ayne Amjad and West Virginia University School of Medicine professor Dr. Lisa Costello present insights from their research and vaccine outreach campaign to West Virginia communities. Includes an audience question and answer session. Transcript available by clicking the More tab in the description.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Public Health Communications Collaborative
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Place and Population Matter in General Surgeon Location and Practice Structure
Examines ways in which population changes over time in different geographical regions of the United States have affected the availability of general surgeons and quality of care. Explores the implications of hospital mergers on the viability of rural hospitals.
Author(s): Thomas C. Ricketts
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 4(4)
Date: 04/2021
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Broadband in Rural America: Faster Speeds for Home and Healthcare
Highlights the importance of rural broadband infrastructure for access to telehealth, patient portals, and other services. Features a Colorado countywide broadband program, Alabama telehealth services provided via county health departments, and a program providing healthcare access to rural veterans in Kentucky.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Lyme Disease in the U.S.: Where is Risk Highest?
Examines the ten-year trend for incidence of Lyme disease in the U.S. Features county-level maps showing total Lyme disease cases and average Lyme disease incidence rates from 2008-2018.
Author(s): Mary E. Helander
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion
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