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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services

Infrequent Provision of Palliative Care to Patients with Dialysis-Requiring AKI
Explores the use of palliative care among patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) who require dialysis. Examines data contained in the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 44 states and over 4,000 hospitals. Compares palliative care use across different comorbidities, patient demographics, and hospital types, including urban and rural hospitals.
Author(s): Kelly Chong, Samuel A. Silver, Jin Long, et al.
Citation: Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 12(11), 1744-1752
Date: 11/2017
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Tobacco Use and Health Insurance Literacy Among Vulnerable Populations: Implications for Health Reform
Results of a study examining health insurance literacy among tobacco users, with data collected from 631 lower-income, predominantly minority residents of rural Virginia. Features statistics on insurance choice and cost, age, race, education, and tobacco use.
Author(s): Robert T. Braun, Yaniv Hanoch, Andrew J. Barnes
Citation: BMC Health Services Research, 17, 729
Date: 11/2017
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Impact of a Mobile Health Application on User Engagement and Pregnancy Outcomes among Wyoming Medicaid Members
Examines the effects of a mobile health application, Due Date Plus, on user engagement and birth outcomes among pregnant Medicaid members compared to pregnant Medicaid members not using the application in Wyoming. Compares data on four outcomes: 6-month or more prenatal visit, C-section, low birthweight, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission to evaluate the association between Due Date Plus with pregnancy and birth outcomes.
Author(s): James Bush, Dilek E. Barlow, Jennie Echols, Jasmine Wilkerson, Katherine Bellevin
Citation: Telemedicine Journal and e-Health, 23(11), 891-898
Date: 11/2017
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Human Intestinal Parasite Burden and Poor Sanitation in Rural Alabama
Reports on the presence of intestinal parasites in Lowndes County, Alabama, a location selected for this study due to high poverty, use of open-sewage systems, and past hookworm burden. Findings based on participant interviews and stool, serum, and soil samples. Includes data on parasite infection, participant gender, raw sewage in the home, asthma or other lung disease, and diarrhea in the past week.
Author(s): Megan L. McKenna, Shannon McAtee, Patricia E. Bryan, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 97(5), 1623-1628
Date: 11/2017
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Store Owners as Potential Agents of Change: Energy Drinks in the Interior of Alaska
Discusses how store workers can act as health advocates by limiting or promoting specific products to improve the health status of their rural Alaskan community members.
Author(s): Janet M. Wojcicki, Peter de Schweinitz
Citation: International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 76(1)
Date: 11/2017
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High Tobacco Use Prevalence with Significant Regional and Sex Differences in Smokeless Tobacco Use among Western Alaska Native People: The WATCH Study
Describes tobacco use patterns for Alaska Natives in two western regions of Alaska to inform tobacco cessation efforts and reduce the prevalence of tobacco use. Includes baseline characteristics and tobacco use statistics for Alaska Native adults.
Author(s): Kathryn R. Koller, Christie A. Flanagan, Gretchen E. Day, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 76(1)
Date: 11/2017
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Pain in the Nation: The Drug, Alcohol and Suicide Crises and the Need for a National Resilience Strategy
Examines current trends, causes, costs, and potential solutions to the drug, alcohol, and suicide crises in the U.S. Includes rural data and discussion of rural-specific issues.
Author(s): Laura M. Segal, Anne De Biasi, Jennifer L. Mueller, Kendra May, Molly Warren
Date: 11/2017
Sponsoring organization: Trust for America's Health
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Emerging Strategies to Ensure Access to Health Care Services: Emergency Medical Center
Provides an overview of the emergency medical center (EMC) model, which would allow struggling hospitals to convert to EMC status and provide emergency and outpatient services, without having to provide inpatient acute care services. Also outlines rural-specific federal policy proposals that seek to create similar hospital designations, with the goal of improving access to and the delivery of care in underserved communities.
Date: 11/2017
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Health Impacts of Methamphetamine Use in Alaska
Presents a report on methamphetamine use in Alaska. Analyzes rates of usage and mortality by demographics, such as age and region of the state, among others.
Author(s): Laura Coughlin, Deborah Hull-Jilly
Citation: State of Alaska Epidemiology Bulletin, 19(4)
Date: 11/2017
Sponsoring organization: Alaska Division of Public Health
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The Front Lines of the Opioid Crisis: Perspectives from States, Communities, and Providers
Video recording details the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing on the opioid epidemic. Features testimony detailing efforts to combat opioid addiction from representatives of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry; the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals; the Wisconsin Prescription Drug Monitoring Program; and the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet.
Date: 11/2017
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
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