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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Substance use and misuse

Barriers and Facilitators to Scaling up Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in Kentucky: Qualitative Perspectives of Treatment Organization Staff
Examines perspectives from substance use treatment program staff related to the barriers and facilitators of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) utilization. Provides qualitative feedback data from agency staff in Kentucky and discusses organizational, patient, and community factors that impact MOUD utilization. Includes perspectives from rural areas.
Author(s): Hannah K. Knudsen, Shaquita Andrews-Higgins, Sandra Back-Haddix, et al.
Citation: Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 20, 15
Date: 04/2025
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Different Forms of Stigma and Rural Primary Care Professionals' Willingness to Prescribe Buprenorphine
Presents a study exploring the different types of stigma affecting buprenorphine and other medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) prescribing rates in rural primary care settings. Details perceived stigmas around MOUD by providers, such as the fear of being harmed by patients, fear of their professional image being harmed, and the fear of the medications harming their patients.
Author(s): Berkeley Franz, Lindsay Y. Dhanani, Sean Bogart, et al.
Citation: Journal of Substance Use & Addiction Treatment, 171, 209633
Date: 04/2025
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Maternal Mortality in Indiana: Contributing Factors and Policy Recommendations
Discusses causes of maternal mortality and related data in Indiana and the U.S. at large. Includes information on disparities with a focus on rural areas, demographics, and access to maternal health services. Provides county-level map of Indiana showing full, moderate, low, or no access to maternity care. Explores potential solutions to maternal mortality, such as co-location of maternal and behavioral healthcare, substance use disorder (SUD) support, mental health support, and more.
Author(s): Tierra Brooks, Lee Ruess, Kristi Schultz, Elizabeth Thuranira
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Indiana University Public Policy Institute
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"I'm Tired of Seeing My Friends Die": Barriers and Facilitators to Participating in Clinical Trials Among Rural People Who Use Drugs in the United States
Highlights a study exploring the barriers and facilitators to clinical trial participation by rural people who use drugs (PWUDs). Bases findings on interviews with rural PWUDs in Kentucky, Ohio, and Oregon.
Author(s): Kathryn E. Lancaster, Angela T. Estadt, Madison N. Enderle, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1), e70009
Date: 03/2025
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Epidemiology of 911 Calls for Opioid Overdose in Nogales, Arizona
Presents a study reviewing the 911 calls pertaining to opioid overdose in the Nogales, AZ area. Details the prehospital care received in the rural, borderland community and evaluates EMS's adherence to naloxone distribution protocol.
Author(s): Melody Glenn, Darien Stratton, Keith Primeau, Amber Rice
Citation: Western Journal of Emergency Medicine: Integrating Emergency Care with Population Health, 26(3)
Date: 03/2025
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Comparative Effectiveness of Buprenorphine Adherence with Telemedicine Versus In-Person for Rural and Urban Patients
Compares adherence to buprenorphine for opioid use disorder in telemedicine versus in-person healthcare in rural and urban populations. Utilizes 2017–2022 data from 511 adults and compares 3,302 in-person and 519 telemedicine visits, with breakdowns according to patient characteristics, adherence, gaps in treatment, and rural versus urban location. Discusses changing legislative requirements related to buprenorphine treatment and the potential impact on rural populations.
Author(s): Thomas J. Reese, Nana Addo Padi-Adjirackor, Kevin N. Griffith, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, 65(2), 102318
Date: 03/2025
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Drug Overdose Deaths: South Carolina, 2023
Reports drug overdose deaths for South Carolina in 2023 using state vital statistics data. Includes statistics on the demographics of drug-related mortality, unintentional and intentional deaths, drug categories, and selected drugs. Includes county-by-county tables and maps showing totals, rates, and change over time.
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: South Carolina Department of Public Health
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The Importance of Contextually Specific Support Relationships in Implementing Programs to Link People to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Treatment During Reentry from County Jails
A case study that examines an intervention that links people in county jails to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) programs. Analyzes 3 rural and 2 urban county jails in Kentucky and the related program implementation, reach, and sustainability.
Author(s): Margaret McGladrey, Marisa Booty, Susannah Stitzer, et al.
Citation: Health & Justice volume 13, 20
Date: 03/2025
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Synthetic Opioid and Stimulant Co-Involved Overdose Deaths by Occupation and Industry — United States, 2022
Examines occupations and industries with higher percentages of psychostimulant involvement in synthetic opioid overdose deaths. Includes information on occupations such as mining and farming, fishing, and forestry that are more common in rural areas.
Author(s): Eric W. Lundstrom, Alexandria Macmadu, Andrea L. Steege, Matthew Groenewold
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 74(10), 173–178
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Rural–Urban Differences in Substance Use During Pregnancy
Examines perinatal substance use in rural and urban populations. Utilizes 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data to analyze 3,499 pregnant women according to rural, small urban, and large urban location, as well as by demographic variables, health status, and type of substance use.
Author(s): Emma Kathryn Boswell, Olivia M. Hinds, Cassie Odahowski, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 03/2025
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