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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Illicit drug use

Postmortem Screening of Opioids, Benzodiazepines, and Alcohol Among Rural and Urban Suicide Decedents
Presents a study comparing the co-use of opioids and other substances in opioid-related overdose suicides in rural and urban areas. Breaks down 2012-2015 data from the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) by toxicology reports, gender, race, and mental health history, among other factors.
Author(s): KM Bensley, William C Kerr, Sarah Beth Barnett, Nina Mulia
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 38(1), 77-86
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
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Increasing Capacity for Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in Rural Primary Care Practices
Examines strategies to improve the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) in primary care practices (PCPs) through the program Implementing Technology and Medication Assisted Treatment Team Training in Rural Colorado (IT MATTTRs). Reports on 42 PCPs who participated in IT MATTTRs over 20 months beginning in September 2017. Discusses program efficacy and potential impacts on OUD in rural areas.
Author(s): Linda Zittleman, Kristen Curcija, Donald E. Nease Jr, et al.
Citation: Annals of Family Medicine, 20(1), 18-23
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
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Applications of Research Evidence During Processes to Acquire Approvals for Syringe Services Program Implementation in Rural Counties in Kentucky
Presents a study on the research used to implement syringe services programs (SSPs) for people who inject drugs (PWID) in rural counties in Kentucky. Discusses the methods used for applying SSP research to the program approval and implementation processes.
Author(s): Sean T. Allen, Suzanne M. Grieb, Jennifer L. Glick, et al.
Citation: Annals of Medicine, 54(1), 404–412
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
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A Qualitative Study on Pharmacy Policies Toward Over-the-Counter Syringe Sales in a Rural Epicenter of US Drug-Related Epidemics
Examines pharmacy over-the-counter (OTC) policies and pharmacists' rationale for, and barriers and facilitators to, OTC syringe sales in a rural Appalachian Kentucky area hard hit by drug-related epidemics. Uses data collected from interviews with 14 pharmacists between February 2018 and January 2019.
Author(s): Monica Fadanelli, Hannah L. F. Cooper, Patricia R. Freeman, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 19(1)
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
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Rural and Urban Differences in Undersupply of Buprenorphine Provider Availability in the United States, 2018
Presents a study comparing county-level rates of providers with buprenorphine waivers with rates of opioid-overdose deaths and compares rural and urban areas. Details rural and urban comparisons for 38 states.
Author(s): Kevin P. Conway, Dalia Khoury, Rainer Hilscher, et al.
Citation: Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, 17, 5
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
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Changes in Access to Medication Treatment during COVID-19 Telehealth Expansion and Disparities in Telehealth Use for Medicare Beneficiaries with Opioid Use Disorder
Discusses policies that allow access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) via telehealth before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Examines outpatient telehealth use and MOUD treatment among Medicare beneficiaries by dual eligibility status, rurality, and presence of comorbid health conditions between April-December 2020.
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Rural Community Health Initiative: Compendium of Best Practices
Presents a collection of community-based health initiatives, including a school health initiative, a COVID-19 vaccine outreach and education program, and telehealth consortia, among others. Describes successful outcomes and sources of funding for each program.
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Outcomes from the Medication Assisted Treatment Pilot Program for Adults with Opioid Use Disorders in Rural Colorado
Examines the efficacy of a medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) pilot program in two rural Colorado counties. Details the structure and setting of the program, patient characteristics and outcomes, and the limitations of the program.
Author(s): Claudia R. Amura, Tanya R. Sorrell, Mary Weber, et al.
Citation: Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 17(1)
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
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Methadone Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder: Improving Access through Regulatory and Legal Change: Proceedings of a Workshop
Offers proceedings from the March 2022 workshop, Methadone Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder: Examining Federal Regulations and Laws. Covered topics include personal perspectives on methadone treatment, access and barriers to access for rural and other underserved populations, and federal policies and regulatory flexibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): Board on Health Sciences Policy, Board on Health Care Services
Date: 2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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State Policy Changes Could Increase Access to Opioid Treatment via Telehealth
Issue brief discussing barriers to opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment via telehealth and policy recommendations to support telehealth, including reimbursement and regulatory policies. Discusses issues of broadband access, infrastructure, and data collection in relation to telehealth implementation.
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Pew Charitable Trusts
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