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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services

The Impact of the Opioid Epidemic on the Aging Services Network and the Older Adults They Serve
Report highlights the results of a survey of National Council on Aging (NCOA) grantees and partners on the effect of the opioid epidemic on older adults. Details the percentage of respondents from rural areas and offers recommendations and resources to address the epidemic among the aging population.
Date: 12/2019
Sponsoring organization: National Council on Aging
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Maternal Characteristics and Birth Outcomes among Oklahoma Medicaid: 2016 SoonerCare – Birth Data Linkage Report
Examines birth outcomes of mothers with live births paid by SoonerCare, Oklahoma's Medicaid, versus mothers with live births not paid by SoonerCare using 2016 data from the Oklahoma Medicaid Management Information Systems of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, and the Center for Health Statistics division of the Oklahoma State Department of Health. Data compared includes personal and clinical demographics, including rural/urban dwelling.
Date: 12/2019
Sponsoring organization: Oklahoma State Department of Health
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Veterans Health Care: Services for Substance Use Disorders, and Efforts to Address Access Issues in Rural Areas
Identifies and compares the differences in the number of veterans, and the expenditures for veterans receiving substance use disorder (SUD) services, and specialty SUD services in rural and urban areas. Veterans Health Administration (VHA) policies were reviewed, interviews were conducted with agency officials, and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) data from 2014 to 2018 was analyzed to develop the report.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 12/2019
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Improving the Geographical Precision of Rural Chronic Disease Surveillance by Using Emergency Claims Data: A Cross-Sectional Comparison of Survey Versus Claims Data in Sullivan County, New York
Compares mailed survey data with emergency department (ED) claims data in Sullivan County, New York to assess validity of using ED data for improved health surveillance of rural disease prevalence. Includes maps of sub-county level estimates of diabetes, asthma, and hypertension.
Author(s): David C. Lee, Justin M. Feldman, Marcela Osorio, et al.
Citation: BMJ Open, 9(11)
Date: 11/2019
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Self-Identified Barriers to Rural Mental Health Services in Iowa by Older Adults with Multiple Comorbidities: Qualitative Interview Study
Highlights a study on the perceived barriers to mental healthcare for chronically ill elders in rural Iowa. Bases finding on phone interviews with participants where they detailed their experiences accessing mental healthcare. Breaks down data by age, sex, and mental health diagnosis, among other factors.
Author(s): Lauren Elizabeth Pass, Korey Kennelty, Barry L Carter
Citation: BMJ Open, 9(11), e029976
Date: 11/2019
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Oral Health Status of Low-Income Children in Pennsylvania: A Rural-Urban Comparison
Describes research examining the oral health component of the Medical Assistance (MA) program for Pennsylvania children, additional oral health programs and services, the supply and distribution of Pennsylvania dentists, and the overall oral healthcare delivery system for low-income children in rural Pennsylvania. Features statistics including the number of general dentists and specialists who were active MA providers as of 2017, with breakdowns by urban or rural location, and a county-level map showing low-income Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas by rural status as of 2018.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Lisa Davis, Kelly Braun, Myron R. Schwartz
Date: 11/2019
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Partnership Integration for Rural Health Resource Access
Describes an interdisciplinary partnership model combining nursing, public health, and gerontology to address the health and social challenges affecting older adults living in rural areas. Offers steps for developing an interdisciplinary partnership and highlights a model utilizing clinical and non-clinical disciplines to improve rural health resource access.
Author(s): Teresa Sharp, Joyce Weil, Audrey Snyder, et al.
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 19(4), 5335
Date: 11/2019
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Rural Women's First-person Perspectives on the Role of Mental Health in Substance Use
Presents a study highlighting rural women's perspectives on the co-occurring mental health and substance use disparities among rural populations. Analyzes interviews with incarcerated rural women with co-occurring substance use and mental health symptoms.
Author(s): Claire Snell-Rood, Michele Staton, Athena Kheibari
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 19(4), 5279
Date: 11/2019
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Loneliness in the United States: A 2018 National Panel Survey of Demographic, Structural, Cognitive, and Behavioral Characteristics
Highlights a cross-sectional study on loneliness in adults in the U.S. Aims to evaluate rates of loneliness by age group, sex, and urban or non-urban location, as well as by several other measures. Bases conclusions on the results of a national survey of 20,096 adults.
Author(s): Liana DesHarnais Bruce, Joshua S. Wu, Stuart L. Lustig, Daniel W. Russell, Douglas A. Nemecek
Citation: American Journal of Health Promotion, 33(8), 1123-1133
Date: 11/2019
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Nutrition Assistance Programs: Agencies Could Do More to Help Address the Nutritional Needs of Older Adults
Report focuses on the shortcomings of the federal nutrition guidelines in meeting the nutritional needs of older adults. Bases recommendations on interviews with older adults in both rural and urban areas.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 11/2019
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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