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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Illicit drug use

Running the Numbers: County Level Dynamics of Heroin Mortality in North Carolina
Presents a study on opioid overdose mortality in North Carolina. Compares counties that have higher rates of overdose mortality with those with lower rates and aims to identify the factors that contribute to those rates.
Author(s): Alexander H Gunn, Bryce Bartlett, Grace Feng, et al.
Citation: North Carolina Medical Journal, 79(3), 195-200
Date: 05/2018
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As Fatal Overdoses Rise, Many Americans See Drug Addiction as a Major Problem in Their Community
Highlights the results of a Pew Research Center survey on fatal drug overdoses and public concern about the opioid crisis. Features data comparing rural, urban, and suburban areas.
Author(s): John Gramlich
Date: 05/2018
Sponsoring organization: Pew Research Center
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EMS Services in Rural America: Challenges and Opportunities
Policy brief describing challenges for rural EMS providers, including workforce shortages and inconsistent funding. Features statistics including percentage of potentially excess deaths for 5 leading causes of death, with breakdowns by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, and average EMS call time response and distribution of all-volunteer and all-paid staff EMS agencies, with breakdowns by 4 levels of population density. Discusses effects of the opioid crisis and Critical Access Hospital closures on provision of EMS services.
Author(s): Nikki King, Marcus Pigman, Sarah Huling, Brian Hanson
Date: 05/2018
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Substance Use Among American Indian Youths on Reservations Compared With a National Sample of US Adolescents
Results of a study exploring substance use rates in 570 students in 8th, 10th, and 12th grades in 31 schools during the 2016-2017 school year. Features statistics comparing reservation-based American Indian youth with U.S. students in general, with breakdowns by type of substance use and previous 30-day prevalence of alcohol and drug use.
Author(s): Randall C. Swaim, Linda R. Stanley
Citation: JAMA Network Open 1(1)
Date: 05/2018
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Access to Syringe Services Programs — Kentucky, North Carolina, and West Virginia, 2013–2017
Overview of the role of syringe services programs (SSPs) in reducing hepatitis C transmission related to injection drug use. Describes the expansion of SSPs in Kentucky, North Carolina, and West Virginia from 2013 through August 1, 2017. Discusses the opportunity to improve access to care through SSPs, including access to related services such as medication-assisted treatment, which can be included in comprehensive SSPs.
Author(s): Danae Bixler, Greg Corby-Lee, Scott Proescholdbell, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 67(18), 529-532
Date: 05/2018
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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2017 Colorado Opioid Safety Pilot Results Report
Describes an opioid safety pilot study that implemented the ALTO, or alternative to opioid, approach for pain treatment in 7 urban and 3 rural hospital emergency departments in Colorado. Discusses ALTO's multifaceted treatment approach for pain management, data collection and analysis, and lessons learned.
Additional links: Pre-Launch Checklist: Using Alternatives to Opioids (ALTOs) in Hospital Emergency Departments
Date: 05/2018
Sponsoring organization: Colorado Hospital Association
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Death by Drugs: Colorado Reaches a Record High for Overdose Fatalities. Again.
Describes county-level estimates for drug overdose death rates in Colorado from 2001 through 2016 using data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Includes discussion on small counties experiencing high overdose rates, the rise of opioid overdoses and deaths, and covers policy implications.
Additional links: Full Report
Author(s): Jaclyn Zubrzycki
Date: 04/2018
Sponsoring organization: Colorado Health Institute
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Combating the Opioid Crisis: Improving the Ability of Medicare and Medicaid to Provide Care for Patients
Presents the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on the role of Medicare and Medicaid in combating the opioid crisis. Features testimony from representatives of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Boston Medical Center, the Centene Corporation, Centerstone America, Geisinger Health System, and Magellan Healthcare.
Additional links: Mr. David Guth Testimony, Mr. Toby Douglas Testimony
Date: 04/2018
Sponsoring organization: House Committee on Energy and Commerce
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Opioid White Paper: Analysis of Responses to Committee Request for Information
Details an analysis of the information received by the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee regarding the opioid crisis. Discusses the current state of the crisis and the measures currently in place regarding prevention and treatment.
Date: 04/2018
Sponsoring organization: House Ways and Means Committee
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The Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018
Presents the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) hearing on the Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018. Features testimony from representatives of the Delaware Office of the Child Advocate, the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors, and the Addiction Policy Forum.
Date: 04/2018
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
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