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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Illicit drug use

A Systematic Review of Rural-specific Barriers to Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in the United States
Analyzes a number of studies looking at medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder in rural areas. Explores barriers to accessing MAT in rural areas and makes rural and urban comparisons.
Author(s): Jamey J. Lister, Addie Weaver, Jennifer D. Ellis, Joseph A. Himle, David M. Ledgerwood
Citation: The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Date: 12/2019
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Comparison of Rural vs Urban Direct-to-Physician Commercial Promotion of Medications for Treating Opioid Use Disorder
Results of a cross-sectional county-level study using all reported direct-to-physician pharmaceutical payments from manufacturers of opioid use disorder medications from 2014-2017, as well as demographic and economic data from 3,140 counties. Features statistics with breakdowns by metropolitan, micropolitan, and rural areas.
Author(s): Thuy Nguyen, Barbara Andraka-Christou, Kosali Simon, W. David Bradford
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 2(12)
Date: 12/2019
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The Impact of the Opioid Epidemic on the Aging Services Network and the Older Adults They Serve
Report highlights the results of a survey of National Council on Aging (NCOA) grantees and partners on the effect of the opioid epidemic on older adults. Details the percentage of respondents from rural areas and offers recommendations and resources to address the epidemic among the aging population.
Date: 12/2019
Sponsoring organization: National Council on Aging
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Creating a Consortium to Combat the Opioid Epidemic in Ohio
Highlights a program formed to address the opioid crisis in five counties in Ohio. Discusses the use of the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy's Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) to form a hub-and-spoke consortium of state, county, and community partners.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 11/2019
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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California County Fact Sheets: Treatment Gaps in Opioid-Agonist Medication Assisted Therapy (OA-MAT) and Estimates of How Many Additional Prescribers Are Needed
Presents county-level estimates of opioid use disorder rates and treatment needs in California. Features statistics including opioid overdose deaths, buprenorphine prescriptions, number of treatment programs, and estimates of buprenorphine-waivered prescribers.
Author(s): Lisa Clemans-Cope, Marni Epstein, Douglas A. Wissoker, Joshua Aarons
Date: 11/2019
Sponsoring organization: Urban Institute
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Characterizing the Rural Opioid Use Environment in Kentucky Using Google Earth: Virtual Audit
Presents a study on the reliability of using Google Earth to track physical environment data correlating with rural opioid use. Examines data drawn from 5 rural counties in Kentucky using Google Earth between 2017 and 2018.
Author(s): Natalie Danielle Crawford, Regine Haardörfer, Hannah Cooper, et al.
Citation: Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(10), e14923
Date: 10/2019
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Obstetric Delivery Inpatient Stays Involving Substance Use Disorders and Related Clinical Outcomes, 2016
Presents statistics from the 2016 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) on delivery-related inpatient stays involving substance use disorders (SUDs). Types of SUDs reported include the use of opioids, cocaine, and other stimulants in urban and rural areas. Examines clinical outcomes at delivery including preterm delivery, severe preeclampsia/eclampsia, obstetric hemorrhage, and placental abruption. Compares delivery outcomes with or without SUD diagnosis, and by rural or urban residence of patient.
Author(s): Anita Soni, Kathryn R. Fingar, Lawrence D. Reid
Date: 10/2019
Sponsoring organizations: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project
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The Providers
Collection of learning resources related to The Providers, a film which follows 3 healthcare providers employed at a group of safety-net clinics in northern New Mexico. Explores the physician shortage, health disparities, and the opioid epidemic in rural America. Geared toward high school and college students.
Date: 09/2019
Sponsoring organization: PBS Learning Media
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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
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
Sponsoring organization: National Academy of Medicine
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