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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services

Intraoperative Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer Treatment in a Rural Community
Examines the use of intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT), an alternative treatment option compared to whole-breast radiation therapy (WBRT), for patients receiving breast-conserving surgery at an academic institution in Iowa. Includes data on patients receiving IORT and WBRT by age, distance traveled to treatment facility, postoperative outcomes, and more.
Author(s): Allison W. Lorenzen, Boris Kiriazov, James P. De Andrade, et al.
Citation: Annals of Surgical Oncology, 25(10), 3004-3010
Date: 10/2018
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Patchwork of Contrasting Medication Cultures Across the USA
Examines differences in prescribing patterns by geographic area, including rural/urban comparisons. Compares opioid prescribing patterns with state drug monitoring programs, disease-associated drug use with relevant death rates, use of brand versus generic drugs, and the impact of insurance rates, poverty, and race/ethnicity.
Author(s): Rachel D. Melamed, Andrey Rzhetsky
Citation: Nature Communications, 9, 4022
Date: 10/2018
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Rising Rates of Injection Drug Use Associated Infective Endocarditis in Virginia with Missed Opportunities for Addiction Treatment Referral: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Describes the geographic, clinical trends and characteristics of infective endocarditis related to injection drug use (IDU-IE). Study site serves a large rural area in West Virginia and Virginia. Counties of residence for patient admissions with IDU-IE were identified as rural or urban. Discusses opportunities for improved quality of care for people who inject drugs.
Author(s): Megan E. Gray, Elizabeth T. Rogawski McQuade, W. Michael Scheld, Rebecca A. Dillingham
Citation: BMC Infectious Disease, 18, 532
Date: 10/2018
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Qualitative Case Study of Needle Exchange Programs in the Central Appalachian Region of the United States
Reports on a qualitative study in West Virginia to address barriers and identify supports that may impact the development of needle exchange programs (NEPs) in rural areas of the U.S. Interviews were conducted in West Virginia with program directors, police chiefs, law enforcement members, and people who inject drugs to obtain information on program implementation and operations, and future growth of NEPs.
Author(s): Stephen M. Davis, Danielle Davidov, Alfgeir L. Kristjansson, Keith Zullig, Adam Baus, et al.
Citation: PLoS One, 13(10)
Date: 10/2018
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Evaluating a Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program in Rural Kentucky
Reports on an evaluation of an adapted, shorter "Reducing the Risk" teen pregnancy prevention curriculum delivered in rural Kentucky high schools by local health departments. Evaluated student outcomes using survey data one year and two years after the programs were delivered.
Author(s): Brian Goesling, Joanne Lee, Robert G. Wood, Susan Zief
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Children and Families
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Access in Brief: Rural and Urban Health Care
Compares healthcare access and use of services for children and adults with Medicaid to those with private insurance or no insurance for both rural and urban areas and for adults with disabilities. Includes access data by age group, income, and race/ethnicity, and utilization data for office and emergency room visits. Addresses access to prescription drugs and eyeglasses as well as barriers to healthcare access.
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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State Options for Promoting Recovery among Pregnant and Parenting Women with Opioid or Substance Use Disorder
Reports on interviews with health officials in Texas, Colorado, and Pennsylvania regarding how their states help pregnant women and young mothers with substance use disorders, focusing on opioids. Discusses Medicaid's role, funding sources of state initiatives, medication-assisted treatment, and issues for incarcerated women. Includes considerations and examples related to rural health throughout.
Author(s): Becky Normile, Carrie Hanlon, Hannah Eichner
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organization: National Academy for State Health Policy
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Community-based Palliative Care: Scaling Access for Rural Populations
Explains the role palliative care plays in meeting the needs of patients with serious illness and chronic medical conditions. Discusses challenges to accessing palliative care in rural areas and highlights work in Alaska, California, and Kansas to help address this need.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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HRSA's Home Visiting Program: Supporting Families Impacted by Opioid Use and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: A Resource for MIECHV Awardees
Details a report for HRSA's Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program grantees on providing support to families impacted opioid use disorder (OUD) and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Discusses methods of treatments for newborns with NAS and Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for pregnant women with OUD.
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organization: Health Resources and Services Administration
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Northern Maine Medical Center – Fort Kent, Maine: Purchase of Retail Pharmacy Enhances Services to the Community
Profiles a hospital in rural Maine that purchased a community pharmacy to offer prevention and wellness services, reduce readmissions, and improve medication adherence.
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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