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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Illicit drug use

Opioid Epidemic in the United States: Empirical Trends, and A Literature Review of Social Determinants and Epidemiological, Pain Management, and Treatment Patterns
Analyzes trends in U.S. drug overdose mortality by key social determinants. Reports findings from a selective review of the literature on how the opioid crisis is impacting different segments of the population, including rural residents.
Author(s): Gopal K. Singh, Isaac E. Kim, Mehrete Girmay, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Maternal and Child Health and AIDS, 8(2), 89-100
Date: 2019
Type: Document
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The Relationship Between Rural Setting and Health: Factors that Influence Individuals With or at Risk of CVD - A Summary of the Literature
Describes current literature on rural challenges and opportunities, including cardiovascular risk due to obesity, lack of access to healthcare, workforce shortages, importance of paramedics and community health workers, telehealth and broadband, and impact of the substance use disorder epidemic. Intended to help stakeholders understand the causes of health disparities and to support action to improve the health of rural communities.
Date: 2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Heart Association
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Comparing Buprenorphine-Prescribing Physicians Across Nonmetropolitan and Metropolitan Areas in the United States
Highlights a study comparing buprenorphine prescribing rates between metro and nonmetro areas. Looks at physician treatment practices, characteristics, and practice location.
Author(s): Lewei (Allison) Lin, Hannah K. Knudsen
Citation: Annals of Family Medicine, 17(3), 212-220
Date: 2019
Type: Document
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The Ecology of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Summarizes results from an 8-state study of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a drug withdrawal condition that may occur in newborns exposed to opioids during pregnancy. Discusses correlations to rurality, unemployment rates, poverty, and the supply of healthcare providers, and identifies potential policy interventions that could help. For interactive, county-level data, see the Simulation of County Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Rates Tool based on study findings.
Additional links: Simulation of County Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Rates Tool
Date: 2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
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Patterns of Buprenorphine Use and Risk for Re-Arrest among Highly Vulnerable Opioid-Involved Women Released from Jails in Rural Appalachia
Study examining licit and illicit use of buprenorphine by women in the Appalachia region of Kentucky with moderate to severe opioid involvement who had recently been released from jail. Discusses the role of consistent healthcare services in relation to risk for re-arrest, presenting data on demographics, opioid use, and healthcare access over a 3-month tracking period.
Author(s): Hilary L. Surratt, Michele Staton, Carl G. Leukefeld, Carrie B. Oser, J. Matthew Webster
Citation: Journal of Addictive Diseases, 37(1-2), 1-4
Date: 12/2018
Type: Document
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Mandatory Reporting of Fatal and Nonfatal Opioid Overdoses in a Rural Public Health Department
Describes a mandatory reporting initiative in rural Clallam County, Washington of fatal and nonfatal opioid overdoses. Offers data on reported cases from 2016-2017 including age, gender, participation in syringe exchanges, overdose characteristics, and public health services provided per case.
Author(s): Christopher J. Frank, Siri E. Kushner, David A. Doran, Jeanette Stehr-Green
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 108(12), 1646-1648
Date: 12/2018
Type: Document
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Drug, Opioid-Involved, and Heroin-Involved Overdose Deaths Among American Indians and Alaska Natives — Washington, 1999–2015
Reports on trends and disparities in drug, opioid-involved, and heroin-involved overdose mortality rates for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) and non-Hispanic White people in Washington state. Includes data on total overdose deaths for AI/AN and White people by county of residence for metropolitan and nonmetro counties.
Author(s): Sujata Joshi, Thomas Weiser, Victoria Warren-Mears
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 67(50), 1384-1387
Date: 12/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Alaska Facts and Figures: 2017 Alaska Resident Drug Overdose Outpatient Visits and Inpatient Hospitalizations
Describes drug overdose outpatient visits and inpatient hospitalizations for Alaska residents in 2017 by gender, race, age group, and public health region.
Date: 12/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Alaska Division of Public Health
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Public Health and Other Related Provisions in P.L 115-271, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act
Summarizes Title VII and VIII provisions in the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Addresses provisions affecting access to opioid abuse treatment and providers, data collection, child welfare, the Department of Justice, substance abuse prevention, and more. Sections highlighting rural authorize grants for first responder training, data collection on adverse childhood experiences, recovery support services, and reauthorization of the State and Tribal Response to the Opioid Abuse Crisis grant program with technical assistance for rural and underserved communities.
Date: 12/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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