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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Illicit drug use

State Strategies to Address Opioid Use Disorder Among Pregnant and Postpartum Women and Infants Prenatally Exposed to Substances, Including Infants with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Identifies state strategies to improve outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women with opioid use disorder and infants prenatally exposed to substances, including opioids. Discusses strategies focused on access to and coordination of quality services, including approaches such as telemedicine that are useful in rural areas. Also discusses strategies related to provider awareness and training and other topics.
Author(s): Charlan D. Kroelinger, Marion E. Rice, Shanna Cox, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 68(36), 777-783
Date: 09/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Dismantling Buprenorphine Policy Can Provide More Comprehensive Addiction Treatment
Commentary focused on the impact buprenorphine prescribing policy has on access to opioid addiction treatment. Discusses the lack of providers waivered to prescribe buprenorphine in rural areas. Includes a map showing counties that lack providers who can prescribe medications for opioid use disorder.
Author(s): Alex E. Woodruff, Mary Tomanovich, Leo Beletsky, et al.
Date: 09/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Academy of Medicine
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Scaling Up Hepatitis C Prevention and Treatment Interventions for Achieving Elimination in the United States: A Rural and Urban Comparison
Details a study on hepatitis C treatment and prevention interventions for people who use drugs in rural and urban areas. Compares the results of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and syringe service program (SSP) interventions in rural Perry County, Kentucky and urban San Fransisco, California.
Author(s): Hannah Fraser, Claudia Vellozzi, Thomas J Hoerger, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Epidemiology, 188(8), 1539-1551
Date: 08/2019
Type: Document
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Acceptability of Safe Drug Consumption Spaces among People Who Inject Drugs in Rural West Virginia
Presents a study on the acceptability of safe consumption spaces among people who inject drugs in rural West Virginia. Breaks down data by demographic data, overdoses, and drugs used, among other characteristics.
Author(s): Allison O'Rourke, Rebecca Hamilton White, Ju Nyeong Park, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 16, 51
Date: 08/2019
Type: Document
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Factors that Influence Access to Medication-Assisted Treatment
Results of a study examining factors that influence access to medication-assisted treatment and substance use disorder treatment, including rural location, stigma, shortage of providers, and insurance coverage. Uses data from an electronic survey distributed to 59 State Opioid Treatment Authorities or Single State Authorities in the spring of 2019.
Additional links: Policy Brief
Author(s): Dana Foney, Shannon Mace
Date: 08/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: National Council for Mental Wellbeing, University of Michigan Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center
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Urban-Rural Differences in Injury and Drug Overdose Death Rates: Data from the National Vital Statistics System
Webinar recording discusses two reports from the National Center for Health Statistics detailing mortality from injuries and opioids in rural versus urban areas. Features presentations by representatives from the National Center for Health Statistics.
Additional links: Audio Recording, PowerPoint Handout, Webinar Transcript
Date: 08/2019
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Evidence Brief: Barriers and Facilitators to Use of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder
Report details an analysis of barriers and facilitators to administering medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD) that are applicable to the Veterans Health Administration. Highlights a synthesis of data extracted from a number of selected studies from 2014-2019, as well as VA data from 2006-2019. Includes data focusing on rural areas.
Date: 08/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Veterans Health Administration
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Unclassified Drug Overdose Deaths in the Opioid Crisis: Emerging Patterns of Inequity
Presents a study that explores correlations between certain geographic, economic, or demographic characteristics and missing data pertaining to drug overdose deaths. Looks at unclassified drug overdose deaths and breaks down data by sex, age, race, and economic status, among other factors. Depicts overdose mortality data in nationwide, county-level maps.
Author(s): Andrew J Boslett, Alina Denham, Elaine L Hill, Meredith C B Adams
Citation: Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 26(8-9), 767–777
Date: 08/2019
Type: Document
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Rural Access to MAT in Pennsylvania (RAMP): A Hybrid Implementation Study Protocol for Medication Assisted Treatment Adoption among Rural Primary Care Providers
Presents a study on the implementation of an intervention designed to expand access to medication-assisted treatment for people with opioid use disorder in rural Pennsylvania. Highlights the collaborators and roles within the intervention, breaking down the delivery and support infrastructure.
Author(s): Gerald Cochran, Evan S. Cole, Jack Warwick, et al.
Citation: Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 14, 25
Date: 08/2019
Type: Document
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Evidence Brief: Managing Acute Pain in Patients with Opioid Use Disorder on Medication-assisted Treatment
Brief details the Veterans Health Administration's best practice on acute pain treatment for patients undergoing medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. Includes supplemental materials that highlight search strategies and evidence tables among other materials.
Additional links: Supplementary Materials
Author(s): Stephanie Veazie, Katherine Mackey, Donald Bourne, Kim Peterson
Date: 08/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Veterans Health Administration
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