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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Statistics and data

State Medicaid Telehealth Policies Before and During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
Examines state Medicaid telehealth coverage, policies, and utilization before and after the COVID-19 public health emergency. Discusses issues and opportunities for optimizing telehealth, including equity considerations for rural and lower-income communities.
Author(s): Rose C. Chu, Christie Peters, Nancy De Lew, Benjamin D. Sommers
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Flood Risk is Higher in Rural and Disadvantaged Communities
Examines how flood risk varies based on rural or urban location and socioeconomic or demographic composition, using data from the 48 lower U.S. states. Features statistics on average percentage of properties at risk of flooding, with breakdowns by urban, large rural, small rural, and isolated areas. Offers recommendations for preparing evacuation and resource distribution materials and creating partnerships with local service agencies, especially in areas with large populations of older adults.
Author(s): Danielle Rhubart, Yue Sun
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organizations: Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion, Penn State Population Research Institute
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Evolving Roles of Rural Hospitals: Evidence from Pandemic Experiences
Slides presented at the 2021 Southern Legislative Conference annual meeting. Presents data on the spread of COVID-19 in rural communities over time and compares confirmed COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 deaths in urban and rural counties in the southern states. Highlights how state policies can invest in and support rural hospitals.
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute
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COVID-19: Continued Attention Needed to Enhance Federal Preparedness, Response, Service Delivery, and Program Integrity
Discusses the federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Provides an overview of federal actions on healthcare and economic policy areas through mid-June 2021, including data on vaccine administration and COVID-19 relief spending. Offers 15 new recommendations to federal agencies regarding public health, the economy, and program integrity that would improve the federal response.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Trends in Drug Overdose Mortality Rates in Kentucky, 2019-2020
Evaluates the changes in drug overdose mortality rates for Kentucky residents, using provisional 2020 death certificate data from the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. Features statistics on Kentucky drug overdose deaths by month from 2011-2020, and Kentucky drug overdose mortality rates and rate ratios by demographic group from 2019-2020, with breakdowns by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan residence.
Author(s): Svetla Slavova, Dana Quesinberry, Sarah Hargrove, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 4(7)
Date: 07/2021
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Unintentional Drowning Deaths Among Children Aged 0-17 Years: United States, 1999-2019
Reports on accidental drowning deaths using National Vital Statistics System data. Includes comparison of deaths by rural or urban status among other demographic factors.
Author(s): Merianne Rose Spencer, Holly Hedegaard, Margaret Warner
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Opioid Treatment Programs: A Key Treatment System Component
Issue brief examining state and federal-level policies related to opioid treatment programs (OTPs). Offers policy recommendations to increase access to opioid treatment in rural communities and other hard-to-reach settings.
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organization: Pew
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Most Frequent Principal Diagnoses for Inpatient Stays in U.S. Hospitals, 2018
Presents data on the most frequent principal diagnoses among nonmaternal, nonneonatal inpatient hospital stays. Uses the 2018 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) to describe the number of stays, mean cost per stay, and aggregate costs. Examines the distribution of stays for the most common diagnoses by patient and hospital characteristics, including rurality.
Author(s): Kimberly W. McDermott, Marc Roemer
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Broadband Task Force: High-Speed Internet is Essential for All Counties
Offers policy recommendations and best practices related to broadband infrastructure, including expansion into rural areas. Discusses broadband technology, community partnerships, and policy considerations. Presents case studies of county-level initiatives and a list of broadband solutions by county in the appendix.
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Counties
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Acceptability of Adolescent COVID-19 Vaccination Among Adolescents and Parents of Adolescents — United States, April 15–23, 2021
Reports on intent for COVID-19 vaccination among unvaccinated adolescents age 13-17 and the parents of those age 12-17, as well as vaccination receipt for adolescents age 16–17 years. Includes information by location for metropolitan, micropolitan, and rural areas.
Author(s): Aaron M. Scherer, Amber M. Gedlinske, Andrew M. Parker, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(28), 997-1003
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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