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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Illicit drug use

Projected Estimates of Opioid Mortality After Community-Level Interventions
Presents a study on the effectiveness of different evidence-based practices to prevent opioid overdose mortality in simulated rural and urban communities. Highlights data by evidence-based practice and by projected rural and urban population group, which is broken down by age, sex, and opioid injection versus non-injection.
Author(s): Benjamin P. Linas, Alexandra Savinkina, R. W. M. A. Madushani, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 4(2), e2037259
Date: 02/2021
Type: Document
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Opioid-Related Visits to Rural Emergency Departments
Explores the impact of the opioid crisis on rural emergency departments (EDs) by analyzing 2006 and 2013 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) data. Compares opioid-related ED visits in rural and urban hospitals by type of opioid involved and year. Breaks down data by patient characteristics, comorbid diagnosis at admission, and outcome of ED visit.
Author(s): Erika C. Ziller, Jean A. Talbot, Deborah Thayer, Carly Milkowski
Date: 02/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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Opioid-Related and Stimulant-Related Adult Inpatient Stays, 2012-2018
Presents statistics on inpatient hospital stays related to the dependence, abuse, and adverse effects of opioids and stimulants between 2012 and 2018. Examines data by patient characteristics, including age, sex, race/ethnicity, urban or rural location of residence, and income.
Date: 02/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Socioenvironmental Risk Factors for Adolescent Marijuana Use in a United States-Mexico Border Community
Reports on a study of predominantly Hispanic high school students in a rural border community, examining community and immigration-related stress, normalized drug trafficking, and negative perceptions of their neighborhood. Discusses the link between these socioenvironmental risk factors and tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use, as well as implications for health promotion and public health practitioners.
Author(s): Elizabeth Salerno Valdez, Luis Valdez, Josephine Korchmaros, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Health Promotion, 35(1), 20-27
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
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Rural Emergency Medical Service Providers Perceptions on the Causes of and Solutions to the Opioid Crisis: A Qualitative Assessment
Study examining the perspectives of rural emergency medical service (EMS) providers on key issues related to the opioid crisis, including prescription, ease of access to opioids, socioeconomic vulnerability, mental health, and lack of alternative treatment options. Discusses qualitative data taken from 123 surveys addressing perceived causes and solutions to the crisis.
Author(s): Heather Blue, Ashley Dahly, Susan Chhen, et al.
Citation: Journal of Primary Care and Community Health, 12, 2150132720987715
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
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Harm Reduction and Adaptations Among PWUD in Rural Oregon During COVID-19
Presents a study on harm reduction practices during the COVID-19 pandemic for people who use drugs (PWUDs) in rural Oregon. Bases findings on interviews with PWUDs in 5 rural counties. Breaks down data by gender, race, and drugs used. Discusses the effect of COVID-19 on syringe service programs in rural areas.
Author(s): Andrew Seaman, Gillian Leichtling, Erin Stack, et al.
Citation: AIDS and Behavior, 25(5), 1331–1339
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
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Patient Satisfaction with Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment via Telemedicine: Brief Literature Review and Development of a New Assessment
Study assessing patient satisfaction with telemedicine-delivered medications for opioid use disorder (tMOUD). Discusses barriers to delivery of medications for opioid use disorder in rural areas. Offers a literature review and pilot survey data from 65 patients at a treatment clinic on Maryland's Eastern Shore, addressing future directions for telemedicine use in opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment programs.
Author(s): Thomas O. Cole, Darlene Robinson, Andrea Kelley-Freeman, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 8, 557275
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
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Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder May Reduce Substantiated Cases of Child Abuse and Neglect
Highlights a study on the correlation between opioid use disorder (OUD) and child maltreatment. Specifically, the effect buprenorphine treatment for OUD has on rates of maltreatment. Discusses challenges and considerations for rural areas.
Author(s): Robin Ghertner, Mir M. Ali
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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COVID-19 and Rural Harm Reduction Challenges in the U.S. Southern Mountains
Explores the relationship between drug use and COVID-19 infections in the Southern Mountains region of Appalachia. Highlights the changes caused by COVID-19 and the challenges harm reduction programs face in providing services, such as syringe exchanges, naloxone access, and COVID-19-related services.
Author(s): Bayla Ostrach, Lesly-Marie Buer, Sam Armbruster, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 37(1), 252-255
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
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Integrating Telemedicine for Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in Rural Primary Care: Beyond the COVID Pandemic
Discusses adapting expanded telehealth services used during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). Highlights the successes of telehealth expansion during COVID-19 and suggests ways it could be used to increase access to medication treatment for OUD.
Author(s): Yih-Ing Hser, Larissa J. Mooney
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 37(1), 246-248
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
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