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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Substance use and misuse

Rural–Urban Differences in Out-of-Network Treatment Initiation and Engagement Rates for Substance Use Disorders
Explores disparities in access to substance use disorder treatments among privately insured individuals in rural and urban areas between 2016-2018. Compares rates of initial and ongoing treatment for alcohol use disorder, opioid use disorder, and other drug use disorders overall and from out-of-network providers for urban and rural patients.
Author(s): Eli Raver, Sheldon M. Retchin, Yiting Li, Andrew D. Carlo, Wendy Y. Xu
Citation: Health Services Research
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
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Use of In-Network Insurance Benefits Is Critical for Improving Retention in Telehealth-Based Buprenorphine Treatment
Evaluated 3,842 patients in an opioid use disorder (OUD) telehealth company to identify associations in insurance status and treatment program retention. Patient characteristic data includes breakdown by urbanicity, age, gender, race and ethnicity, buprenorphine status, and more.
Author(s): Arthur Robin Williams, Christopher Row, Lexie Minarik, et al.
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 2(3)
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
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Cannabis Donation as a Harm Reduction Strategy: A Case Study
Analyzes harm reduction practices to address overdose mortality rates in the U.S. by exploring the outcomes of a cannabis donation program operated in rural Michigan. Examines the program's operational logistics, feasibility, sales and donation statistics, potential benefits, and impacts of substituting cannabis in place of other substances.
Author(s): Sarah E. Duhart Clarke, Grant Victor, Pamela Lynch, Leslie W. Suen, Bradley Ray
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 21, 58
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
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The Influence of Transformations in Supply on Methamphetamine Initiation Among People Injecting Opioids in the United States
Discusses the co-use of methamphetamine (MA) and opioids (pharmaceutical pills, heroin and fentanyls) through interview and observation of 30 individuals in West Virginia. Explores drug initiation and supply as well as evolving cultural beliefs and taboos of drug use, including those related to rural spaces in West Virginia.
Author(s): Sarah Mars, Jeff Ondocsin, Nicole Holm, Daniel Ciccarone
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 21, 57
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
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Addressing Adolescent Substance Abuse and Risky Sexual Health Behaviors Via Youth-Led Initiatives: A Review of the Teens Linked to Care Pilot Program
Evaluates the Teens Linked to Care (TLC) pilot program which is meant to reduce substance use and risky sexual health behaviors in high-risk youth, including sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY). Examines the program framework, strategies, and implementation in 2 rural sites and discusses the impact of education, access to care, and supportive environments to promote healthy behaviors. Includes demographic and behavioral health data of participants.
Author(s): Hailey Bednar, Suzanne McMillan, Turquoise Sidibe, Melissa Bennett
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(3), 252
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
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Exploring the Link between Altitude of Residence and Smoking Patterns in the United States
Presents a study exploring the relationship between altitude and rates of smoking. Features a breakdown of the data by demographic characteristics, such as gender, race, and rurality, among other factors.
Author(s): Danielle Jeanne-Marie Boxer, Young-Hoon Sung, Nicolas A. Nunez, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(2), 226
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
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Rural Communities Opioids Response Program (RCORP)
Highlights a review of the RCORP-TA program. Features a number of reports and briefs exploring the efficacy and perception of the technical assistance provided RCORP grantees from March, 2022 to September, 2023 by the RCORP-TA program.
Date: 02/2024
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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The Suicide Epidemic in Rural Minnesota: How We Got Here and How We Move Forward
Provides information on the yearly increase of suicides and deaths of despair in Minnesota, with data broken down by sex, region, and rurality. Discusses factors that impact suicide rates in rural areas, with a focus on rural and indigenous cultures, farming, stigma, firearm access, and more.
Author(s): Marnie Werner, Tracie Rutherford Self
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Center for Rural Behavioral Health, Center for Rural Policy and Development
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Perspectives on APRN Prescribing of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder: Key Barriers Remain
Interviewed 76 healthcare and industry workers across 4 states to identify themes related to nurse practitioner (NP) scope of practice regulations for medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Topics covered include access to care, rural needs, psychiatric NPs, and the nursing model of care. Discusses policy measures and other barriers to offering care.
Author(s): Susan A. Chapman, Leah Fraimow-Wong, Bethany J. Phoenix, Matthew Tierney, Joanne Spetz
Citation: Journal of Substance Use & Addiction Treatment, 157, 209215
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
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Testing the Feasibility of the QuitAid Smoking Cessation Intervention in a Randomized Factorial Design in an Independent, Rural Community Pharmacy
Examines a pharmacist-delivered smoking cessation intervention in rural Appalachia. Analyzes an ask-advise-connect model conducted with 24 adult smokers between September and November 2021, observing recruitment, retention, treatment adherence, and fidelity. Includes data on participant demographics, participant satisfaction, and pharmacist perceptions.
Author(s): Melissa A. Little, Taylor Reid, Matthew Moncrief, et al.
Citation: Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 10(41)
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
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