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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services

Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables
Provides data on use of illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, trends in substance use disorder and mental health, and access to treatment for youth 12-17 and adults. Features statistics for a variety of demographic and geographic characteristics.
Date: 09/2016
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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EMS Leaders Speak
Five experts discuss emergency medical services in a changing rural healthcare delivery system. Topics addressed include EMS challenges and potential opportunities, such as community paramedicine and telehealth.
Author(s): Kevin McGinnis, Diane Calmus, Don Wood, Tom Nehring, Gary Wingrove
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 09/2016
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Emergency Transport of Stroke Suspects in a Rural State: Opportunities for Improvement
Examines transport time and destinations for stroke suspects in Arkansas. Focuses on transportation to facilities that commonly provide acute stroke therapy and offers recommendations for emergency medical service agencies.
Author(s): Aliza T. Brown, Feifei Wei, William C. Culp, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 34(8), 1640-1644
Date: 08/2016
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Why Are Obstetric Units in Rural Hospitals Closing Their Doors?
Examines factors associated with obstetric unit closure based on a mixed methods study of rural hospitals in 9 states between 2010 and 2014. Addresses hospital characteristics such as accreditation, ownership, and Critical Access Hospital status; distance to next closest hospital with obstetric services; and county-level characteristics including health workforce supply.
Author(s): Peiyin Hung, Katy B. Kozhimannil, Michelle M. Casey, Ira S. Moscovice
Citation: Health Services Research, 51(4), 1546-1560
Date: 08/2016
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Surgical Care Improvement Project Measures among Rural and Urban Hospitals in West Virginia
Reviews data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) from 10 rural community hospitals in West Virginia to determine the quality of surgical care given by rural providers. Data reported was compared to a set of process measures demonstrating the rates of surgical morbidity and mortality, surgical site infections, and other complications following surgery.
Author(s): Yuya K. Kudo, Linda V. Davis, Dustin M. Long, John C. Honaker, Don K. Nakayama
Citation: American Surgeon, 82(1), E20-E22
Date: 08/2016
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Oklahoma Emergency Department Utilization: July 2012 through June 2015
Reports on emergency department use in Oklahoma to help guide the state's Medicaid program, SoonerCare. Includes rural/urban breakdowns and some discussion of rural challenges.
Author(s): Mercer Government Human Services Consulting
Date: 08/2016
Sponsoring organization: Oklahoma Health Care Authority
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Age at First Birth and Psychiatric Disorders in Low-Income Pregnant Women
Details a study on the correlation between women's age at the time of first giving birth and the prevalence of psychiatric disorders. Features data from low-income pregnant women from 5 rural counties in Missouri. Looks at the subjects' age, diagnoses, and income, among other factors.
Author(s): Maya Tabet, Louise H. Flick, Cynthia A.L. Cook, et al.
Citation: Journal of Women's Health, 25(8), 810-817
Date: 08/2016
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Intersection of Living in a Rural Versus Urban Area and Race/Ethnicity in Explaining Access to Health Care in the United States
Examines healthcare access for rural and urban residents. Reports on access to a usual source of healthcare, healthcare needs met, cholesterol screening, cervical screening, and dental visits.
Author(s): Julia T. Caldwell, Chandra L. Ford, Steven P. Wallace, May C. Wang, Lois M. Takahashi
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 106(8), 1463-9
Date: 08/2016
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Fentanyl Law Enforcement Submissions and Increases in Synthetic Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths - 27 States, 2013-2014
Reports on drugs testing positive for fentanyl. Provides information on synthetic opioid-involved deaths other than methadone, including fentanyl deaths. For 27 states with death certificate reporting of drugs involved in overdoses, provides data for metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore areas.
Author(s): R. Matthew Gladden, Pedro Martinez, Puja Seth
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 65(33), 837-843
Date: 08/2016
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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The Health Status of Northeast Texas
Describes health status of residents of a largely rural 35-county area, including mortality rates, prevalence of cigarette smoking, healthcare access, and percentage of people with health insurance. Features county-level statistics with breakdowns by population size, level of rurality, median income, and age-adjusted mortality rate.
Author(s): Eileen Nehme
Date: 08/2016
Sponsoring organization: Texas Health and Human Services
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