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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Building on the Evidence Base: Studies on the Effects of Medicaid Expansion, February 2020 to March 2021
Summarizes the results of a review of 200 studies published between February 2020 and March 2021 on the impact of state Medicaid expansions under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Highlights findings on mortality; cancer, chronic disease, and disabilities; sexual and reproductive health; behavioral health; economic impacts on states and providers, including rural providers; disparities; and social determinants of health. Builds on a literature review that examined studies published between January 2014 and January 2020.
Author(s): Madeline Guth, Meghana Ammula
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Hunger, Poverty, and Health During COVID-19: Spotlight: Rural Communities
Research brief exploring the impact of the pandemic on rural communities, focusing on hunger, poverty, and health. Includes statistics on weekly deaths from March-November 2020 per 100,000 people ages 20 and over, with breakdowns by 5 levels of population density.
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Food Research & Action Center
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Challenges Faced by Rural Primary Care Providers When Caring for COPD Patients in the Western United States
Results of a survey of 71 rural primary care providers in 7 states, including Colorado and Kansas, to examine challenges faced when caring for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Features demographic statistics with breakdowns by age, degree, rural or non-rural practice location, practice type, and state, and survey answers by provider type and location.
Additional links: Online Supplement
Author(s): Fernando Diaz del Valle, Patricia B. Koff, Sung-Joon Min, et al.
Citation: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases, 8(3), 336-349
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
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Physician Workforce: Caps on Medicare-funded Graduate Medical Education at Teaching Hospitals
Provides an overview of Medicare physician graduate medical education (GME) funding to teaching hospitals. Describes the extent to which hospitals were over or under their Medicare GME caps in 2018, including their urban or rural status. Summarizes stakeholder views on extending the time frame for hospitals with new GME programs to establish their caps.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Rurality is Associated with Increased Drive Times to Opioid Treatment Programs in Arizona
Research brief presenting data on drive times to reach opioid treatment programs and Federally Qualified Health Centers, comparing rural, small town, micropolitan, and metropolitan areas.
Author(s): Rachel Gildersleeve, Benjamin Brady, Bryna Koch, Doug Campos-Outcalt, Daniel Derksen
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Arizona Center for Rural Health
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Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Services Utilization
Summarizes the results of a poll conducted between April 29-May 2, 2021, regarding patients' experiences receiving mental health and substance use treatment services, including telehealth services, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Examines the utilization of these services and barriers to treatment by gender, age, education, income, ethnicity, and urban-rural status. Explores the preferences of individuals seeking mental health or substance abuse treatment.
Date: 05/2021
Type: Presentation Slides
Sponsoring organizations: Bipartisan Policy Center, Morning Consult
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Vaccine Distribution in Rural Counties
Presents data on COVID-19 vaccination rates and intention to be vaccinated by urban-rural status. Discusses vaccine distribution, challenges facing rural communities, and considerations for communication about the vaccines. Describes best practices in rural counties in Virginia, Washington, and West Virgina.
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Counties
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Food Insecurity Among Working-Age Veterans
Examines rates of food insecurity among working-age veterans from 2015-2019, comparing nonmetro, metro, and suburban veterans. Provides data on characteristics of working-age veterans, household information, period of service, metro/nonmetro residence, and other data.
Author(s): Matthew P. Rabbitt, Michael D. Smith
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Socioeconomic and Racial Inequities in Breast Cancer Screening During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Washington State
Describes a study of breast cancer screening disparities, comparing screening rates in Washington by race, socioeconomic status, and rural residence based on data from a statewide healthcare system. Compares rates of screening before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Author(s): Ofer Amram, Jeanne Robison, Solmaz Amiri, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 4(5), e2110946
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
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State and Community Efforts to Address Stimulant Use
Explores state and community-based efforts to address stimulant misuse. Summarizes common themes and key findings that emerged from discussions with a diverse group of stakeholders. Covers program activities, funding sources, facilitators, and barriers to implementing programs to respond to stimulant use. Identifies policy options for community, state, and federal stakeholders. Includes rural references throughout.
Author(s): Rebecca L. Haffajee, Sara Heins
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, RAND Corporation
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