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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Population health

National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
Report highlights the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) 10-year government-wide suicide prevention strategy. Features a 15-goal plan covering community-based suicide prevention; treatment and crisis services; surveillance, quality improvement, and research; and health equity in suicide prevention. Discusses rural populations and the barriers to suicide prevention in rural areas.
Additional links: Federal Action Plan
Date: 04/2024
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Non-Urgent Use of Emergency Departments by Rural and Urban Adults
Examines differences in non-urgent use of emergency departments (EDs) in rural versus urban adults as well as factors associated with non-urgent ED use. Utilizes 2014-2017 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data to show percentage of adults who utilized ED services, with data broken down by age, mental and physical health status, income, health insurance and primary care access status, and rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Erika Ziller, Carly Milkowski, Zachariah Croll, Yvonne Jonk
Date: 04/2024
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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2024 FORHP Preview Webinar
Recording of an April 3, 2024, webinar providing an overview of the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) and its priorities for 2024. HIghlights resources and anticipated funding opportunities to support rural hospitals, address substance use, advance rural community health, and address rural health workforce.
Date: 04/2024
Sponsoring organization: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Indian Health Service Memorandum of Understanding - Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2023
Annual report details the accomplishments of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Indian Health Service (IHS) via their memorandum of understanding. Highlights the ways the VA and IHS have worked together to deliver healthcare to American Indian and Alaska Native veterans and discusses future collaborations.
Date: 04/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Indian Health Service, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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Quality in Motion: Acting on the CMS National Quality Strategy
Provides an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 2022 National Quality Strategy (NQS). Describes actions CMS has taken to meet the eight NQS goals across four priority areas: outcomes and alignment, equity and engagement, safety and resiliency, and interoperability and scientific achievement. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 04/2024
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Indian Health Service Health Equity Report
Reports on efforts to advance health equity in the Indian Health Service (IHS). Discusses strategies and funding supporting access to facilities and services, quality of care, cultural appropriateness, wellness and disease prevention, and more.
Date: 04/2024
Sponsoring organization: Indian Health Service
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Effectiveness of Implementing Evidence-Based Approaches to Promote Physical Activity in a Midwestern Micropolitan Area Using a Quasi-Experimental Hybrid Type I Study Design
Evaluates the effectiveness of a physical activity intervention implemented in a micropolitan Iowa community over 24 months in 142 residents. Describes the community-based participatory research intervention design. Includes discussion of implementing urban-tested approaches in rural settings.
Author(s): Barbara Baquero, Nicole Novak, Daniel K. Sewell, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 24, 1082
Date: 04/2024
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Demographic Disparities in the Limited Awareness of Alcohol Use as a Breast Cancer Risk Factor: Empirical Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study of U.S. Women
Examines the general awareness of breast cancer risk with alcohol use according to sociodemographic variables. Surveys adult women regarding cancer risk awareness, with data broken down by age, income, education, health status, alcohol use, information sources, U.S. region, and rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Monica H. Swahn, Priscilla Martinez, Adelaide Balenger, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 24, 1076
Date: 04/2024
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Bridging the Sectors: A Compendium of Resources - Partnering to Support Individuals with Complex Medical and Social Needs
Provides a list of resources that promotes collaboration across community, human service, and healthcare sectors. Focuses on supporting people with overlapping medical and social needs. Includes resources focused on rural populations.
Date: 04/2024
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Seasonal Extreme Temperatures and Short-Term Fine Particulate Matter Increases Pediatric Respiratory Healthcare Encounters in a Sparsely Populated Region of the Intermountain Western United States
Analyzes the impact of short-term fine particulate matter (PM) and seasonal temperatures on children's health in rural, western Montana. Examines healthcare visits for asthma, lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI), and upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and examines the correlation between environmental changes and healthcare outcomes.
Author(s): Erin L. Landguth, Jonathon Knudson, Jon Graham, et al.
Citation: Environmental Health, 23, 40
Date: 04/2024
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