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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Prescription drug misuse

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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Current Perceptions, Behaviors & Prevention Strategies of Prescription Opioid Misuse
Reports the findings of a survey of 379 rural Montanans about the perception of prescription opioid misuse in their communities. Offers data on opioid use behavior and accessibility, medication disposal options, and methods of distributing information about opioids to family, friends, and community members.
Author(s): Michelle Grocke, Barbara Allen, Wendy Stevens, Kristen Vardanega, Sandra Bailey
Date: 08/2019
Sponsoring organization: Montana State University Extension
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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 Francisco, California.
Author(s): Hannah Fraser, Claudia Vellozzi, Thomas J Hoerger, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Epidemiology, 188(8), 1539-1551
Date: 08/2019
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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
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Doctor Hopping and Doctor Shopping for Prescription Opioids Associated with Increased Odds of High‐Risk Use
Presents a study on doctor hopping by people with opioid use disorder. Defines doctor hopping, a variant of doctor shopping, and uses data from the Arkansas Prescription Drug Monitoring Program to illustrate the behavior and its outcomes. Compares doctor hopping and doctor shopping in both rural and urban areas.
Author(s): Sean G. Young, Corey J. Hayes, Jonathan Aram, Mark A. Tait
Citation: Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, 28(8), 1117–1124
Date: 08/2019
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