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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Prescription drug misuse

Promising Practice: Summits Tackle Opioid Misuse and Treatment in Rural Illinois
Describes the Opioid Crisis Next Door summits, a series of conferences sponsored by the Illinois Center for Rural Health (ICRH) to increase the awareness of the opioid and heroin crisis in rural communities, and to identify ways for these communities to effectively respond to their misuse.
Author(s): Beth Blevins
Date: 05/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
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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
Type: Document
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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
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Pew Research Center
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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
Type: Document
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
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Colorado Hospital Association
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Reduction of Injection-Related Risk Behaviors After Emergency Implementation of a Syringe Services Program During an HIV Outbreak
Describes the emergency syringe services program (SSP) in rural Scott County, Indiana, the setting of a large HIV outbreak among persons who inject drugs (PWID). Demonstrates how the SSP was part of a comprehensive HIV prevention intervention to reduce injection-related HIV risk behaviors.
Author(s): Monita R. Patel, Carrie Foote, Joan Duwve, et al.
Citation: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 77(4), 373-382
Date: 04/2018
Type: Document
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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
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Colorado Health Institute
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Patterns of Opioid Prescribing in Minnesota: 2012 and 2015
Describes opioid prescription patterns among Minnesota residents with private or public insurance coverage in 2012 and 2015. Discusses opioid use in rural areas and provides statistics on the number of opioid prescriptions by metropolitan, micropolitan, small town, or rural settings. Includes insights and opportunities to inform policymakers on reducing the use and overuse of prescription opioids.
Date: 04/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health
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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
Type: Video/Multimedia
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
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: House Ways and Means Committee
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