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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services

Participation in Cultural Traditions Promotes Happiness and Peacefulness Among American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Elders
Explores the role traditional cultural practices play in the psychological wellness in American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian elders. Looks at rates of happiness, calmness, nervousness, and melancholy.
Author(s): Andrew Herting, Collette Adamsen
Date: 09/2018
Sponsoring organization: National Resource Center on Native American Aging
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Telestroke Adoption among Community Hospitals in North Carolina: A Cross-sectional Study
Discusses the advantages of implementing telestroke in rural acute care hospitals, including Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), where stroke mortality is higher than in urban settings. Identifies the community and hospital characteristics associated with the adoption of the telestroke approach in acute care hospitals in North Carolina.
Author(s): Christopher M. Shea, Amir Alishahi Tabriz, Kea Turner, Steve North, Kristin L. Reiter
Citation: Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases, 27(9), 2411-2417
Date: 09/2018
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Substance Use Disorder Treatment Policy Recommendations for the State of Indiana: Final Report - September 2018
Assessment of Indiana's treatment system for substance use disorders (SUDs), based on interviews with stakeholder groups, consultation with national experts, focus groups, and a review of public data sets. Includes 6 recommendations in the categories of treatment system transformation, SUD workforce, and underserved populations. Discusses barriers to treatment in rural areas.
Date: 09/2018
Sponsoring organization: Pew
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Evaluation of ¡Vivir Mi Vida! To Improve Health and Wellness of Rural-Dwelling, Late Middle-aged Latino Adults: Results of a Feasibility and Pilot Study of a Lifestyle Intervention
Explores a study on the efficacy of a primary care intervention designed to improve the health and well-being of older rural Latino adults. Looks specifically at the ¡Vivir Mi Vida! program at a rural health clinic in the Antelope Valley of California that was aimed specifically at participants age 50-64.
Author(s): Stacey L. Schepens Niemiec, Jeanine Blanchard, Cheryl L. P. Vigen, et al.
Citation: Primary Health Care Research and Development, 19(5), 448-463
Date: 09/2018
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Maternal and Child Health Assessment for American Indians and Alaska Natives in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah
Examines infant, child, and maternal health indicators for Native Americans in Utah, Nevada, and Arizona. Addresses infant mortality, birth weight, prenatal care, substance use, injuries, and more. Identifies action items for tribes, public health workers, and individuals.
Date: 09/2018
Sponsoring organization: Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, American Indian Research Center for Health
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The Role of Social Support and the Neighborhood Environment on Physical Activity in Low-income, Mexican-American Women in South Texas
Presents a study on the effectiveness of a promotora-led intervention aimed at improving the rates of physical activity among low-income Mexican-American women in rural South Texas.
Author(s): Jennifer J. Salinas, Marisol McDaniel, Deborah Parra-Medina
Citation: Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, 51(5), 234-241
Date: 09/2018
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Promising Practice: Texas SORH's Handheld Ultrasound Project - An Innovative Approach to Providing Training & Technology to Small Rural Hospitals
Details a pilot program implemented by the Texas State Office of Rural Health that allows rural hospitals to use handheld ultrasound machines as a cost-effective method for improving quality of care.
Author(s): Beth Blevins
Date: 09/2018
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
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Hepatitis C Within a Single Health System: Progression Along the Cascade to Cure Is Higher for Those With Substance Misuse When Linked to a Clinic With Embedded Support Services
Recognizes the barriers to treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) by identifying patient and HCV clinic characteristics associated with the achievement of sustained virologic response (SVR) in a large medical center serving a rural population. Characteristics documented included proximity to the health center, household income and assets, availability of private insurance, medical comorbidities, and patients with recorded substance misuse. Suggests models for expanding access to treatment in rural areas through increased prescribing by primary care providers and through telehealth.
Author(s): J. E. Sherbuk, K. A. McManus, E. T. Rogawski McQuade, et al.
Citation: Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 5(9)
Date: 09/2018
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The Costs and Benefits of Expanding Hepatitis C Screening in the Indian Health Service
Estimates whether increasing hepatitis C screening for American Indians and Alaskan Natives would be cost-effective and provides recommendations for the Indian Health Service.
Author(s): Divya Vohra, Monica Huang, So O'Neil
Date: 09/2018
Sponsoring organizations: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Mathematica
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Opioid Crisis: Status of Public Health Emergency Authorities
Examines the effectiveness of public health emergency authorities' response to the opioid crisis. Discusses the different public health emergency authorities selected by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the activities underway to combat the opioid crisis.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 09/2018
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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