Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Veterans
Obesity Treatment Initiation, Retention, and Outcomes in the Veterans Affairs MOVE! Program among Rural and Urban Veterans
Compares rural, highly rural, and urban veterans' likelihood of initiating participation in the Veterans Affairs weight management program (VA MOVE!) or of receiving anti-obesity medication or bariatric surgery. Utilizes 2015-2017 Veterans Affairs patient data. Includes data on treatment retention and weight loss.
Author(s): Kathleen M. Robinson, Mark Vander Weg, Helena H. Laroche, et al.
Citation: Obesity Science & Practice, 8(6), 784-793
Date: 06/2022
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Compares rural, highly rural, and urban veterans' likelihood of initiating participation in the Veterans Affairs weight management program (VA MOVE!) or of receiving anti-obesity medication or bariatric surgery. Utilizes 2015-2017 Veterans Affairs patient data. Includes data on treatment retention and weight loss.
Author(s): Kathleen M. Robinson, Mark Vander Weg, Helena H. Laroche, et al.
Citation: Obesity Science & Practice, 8(6), 784-793
Date: 06/2022
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Veteran Mobility and COVID-19
Examines veterans living in rural areas and how their mobility options, cost of transportation, use of telehealth, access to healthy food, and social isolation have been impacted by COVID-19. Discusses issues and policies related to improving healthcare transportation and access to Veterans Administration (VA) services for rural veterans. Includes data on veteran demographics and survey responses to health- and transportation-related questions.
Additional links: Executive Summary, Video Summary
Author(s): Del Peterson, Jill Hough, Antonio Molina
Date: 05/2022
Sponsoring organizations: North Dakota State University, Small Urban and Rural Center on Mobility, Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute
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Examines veterans living in rural areas and how their mobility options, cost of transportation, use of telehealth, access to healthy food, and social isolation have been impacted by COVID-19. Discusses issues and policies related to improving healthcare transportation and access to Veterans Administration (VA) services for rural veterans. Includes data on veteran demographics and survey responses to health- and transportation-related questions.
Additional links: Executive Summary, Video Summary
Author(s): Del Peterson, Jill Hough, Antonio Molina
Date: 05/2022
Sponsoring organizations: North Dakota State University, Small Urban and Rural Center on Mobility, Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute
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Behavioral Health Screening and Care Coordination for Rural Veterans in a Federally Qualified Health Center
Highlights the VA's nurse-led Collaborative System of Care (CSC) program's work in connecting veterans at rural Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to the VA's behavioral health services and discusses the role care coordination can play in connecting rural veterans to other healthcare services. Details the efficacy of the CSC program and outlines the program's structure and screening process.
Author(s): M. Bryant Howren, Debra Kazmerzak, Sheryl Pruin, et al.
Citation: Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research, 49, 50-60
Date: 05/2022
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Highlights the VA's nurse-led Collaborative System of Care (CSC) program's work in connecting veterans at rural Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to the VA's behavioral health services and discusses the role care coordination can play in connecting rural veterans to other healthcare services. Details the efficacy of the CSC program and outlines the program's structure and screening process.
Author(s): M. Bryant Howren, Debra Kazmerzak, Sheryl Pruin, et al.
Citation: Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research, 49, 50-60
Date: 05/2022
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American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans in the Indian Health Service: Health Status, Utilization, and Cost
Highlights a study evaluating the care received by veterans through the Indian Health Service (IHS). Discusses the reimbursement agreements between the VA and IHS and compares health outcomes of veteran and non-veterans receiving care through IHS. Breaks down data by age group, health condition, and veteran status, among other measures.
Author(s): Carol E. Kaufman, Laura Grau, Rene Begay, et al.
Citation: PLOS One, 17(4), e0266378
Date: 04/2022
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Highlights a study evaluating the care received by veterans through the Indian Health Service (IHS). Discusses the reimbursement agreements between the VA and IHS and compares health outcomes of veteran and non-veterans receiving care through IHS. Breaks down data by age group, health condition, and veteran status, among other measures.
Author(s): Carol E. Kaufman, Laura Grau, Rene Begay, et al.
Citation: PLOS One, 17(4), e0266378
Date: 04/2022
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Suicide Among American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans Who Use Veterans Health Administration Care: 2004–2018
Examines suicide rates between 2004 and 2018 in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) veterans who utilized healthcare services from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Examines trends in suicide rates by 5-year observation periods starting in 2004 and breaks down data by age, sex, and race (single race AI/AN or multi-race AI/AN).
Author(s): Nathaniel V. Mohatt, Claire A. Hoffmire, Alexandra L. Schneider, et al.
Citation: Medical Care, 60(4), 275-278
Date: 04/2022
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Examines suicide rates between 2004 and 2018 in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) veterans who utilized healthcare services from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Examines trends in suicide rates by 5-year observation periods starting in 2004 and breaks down data by age, sex, and race (single race AI/AN or multi-race AI/AN).
Author(s): Nathaniel V. Mohatt, Claire A. Hoffmire, Alexandra L. Schneider, et al.
Citation: Medical Care, 60(4), 275-278
Date: 04/2022
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Veteran Dental Care Stimulates the Economy and Improves Overall Health
Report discusses veterans' access to oral healthcare and explores the economic implications to expanding dental care to veterans. Highlights the economic impact of dental clinics on rural communities, as well as expanding oral healthcare coverage to veterans.
Date: 04/2022
Sponsoring organization: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
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Report discusses veterans' access to oral healthcare and explores the economic implications to expanding dental care to veterans. Highlights the economic impact of dental clinics on rural communities, as well as expanding oral healthcare coverage to veterans.
Date: 04/2022
Sponsoring organization: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
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Mental Health Service Use, Suicide Behavior, and Emergency Department Visits Among Rural US Veterans Who Received Video-Enabled Tablets During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Results of a study to examine whether a United States Veterans Affairs initiative to distribute video-enabled tablets during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with mental healthcare access, suicide behavior, or emergency department (ED) visits among rural veterans. Features demographics and statistics on mental health services use and ED visits, with breakdowns by tablet recipients and nonrecipients.
Author(s): Kritee Gujral, James Van Campen, Josephine Jacobs, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 5(4)
Date: 04/2022
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Results of a study to examine whether a United States Veterans Affairs initiative to distribute video-enabled tablets during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with mental healthcare access, suicide behavior, or emergency department (ED) visits among rural veterans. Features demographics and statistics on mental health services use and ED visits, with breakdowns by tablet recipients and nonrecipients.
Author(s): Kritee Gujral, James Van Campen, Josephine Jacobs, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 5(4)
Date: 04/2022
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Veterans Health Care: Efforts to Hire Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists
Describes efforts taken by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to promote the hiring of licensed professional mental health counselors (LPMHC) and marriage and family therapists (MFT) at Department of Veterans Affairs' facilities. Examines the extent to which VA medical facilities are employing LPMHCs and MFTs and how their recent employment compares with other mental health professions. Discusses considerations regarding the availability of LPMHCs and MFTs in rural communities.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Describes efforts taken by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to promote the hiring of licensed professional mental health counselors (LPMHC) and marriage and family therapists (MFT) at Department of Veterans Affairs' facilities. Examines the extent to which VA medical facilities are employing LPMHCs and MFTs and how their recent employment compares with other mental health professions. Discusses considerations regarding the availability of LPMHCs and MFTs in rural communities.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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VA Recommendations to the Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission
Presents Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) recommendations to the Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission to modernize and realign the VA health care system. Recommendations cover investing in the VA outpatient care infrastructure, enhancing care for veterans with complex needs, providing access to inpatient medical and surgical care, and strengthening the VA's ability to execute its education, research, and emergency preparedness missions. Volume I outlines the legislative history; the present and future of VA health care, including the access needs of rural veterans; the methodology used to conduct the market assessments; and a national summary of the recommendations. Volume II details the recommendations and is organized by the 18 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs).
Additional links: Appendices, Volume I, Volume II
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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Presents Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) recommendations to the Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission to modernize and realign the VA health care system. Recommendations cover investing in the VA outpatient care infrastructure, enhancing care for veterans with complex needs, providing access to inpatient medical and surgical care, and strengthening the VA's ability to execute its education, research, and emergency preparedness missions. Volume I outlines the legislative history; the present and future of VA health care, including the access needs of rural veterans; the methodology used to conduct the market assessments; and a national summary of the recommendations. Volume II details the recommendations and is organized by the 18 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs).
Additional links: Appendices, Volume I, Volume II
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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Veterans Community Care Program: VA Should Strengthen Its Ability to Identify Ineligible Health Care Providers
Examines the extent to which vulnerabilities in Veterans Community Care Program eligibility requirements contribute to potentially ineligible providers participating in the program. Offers recommendations to the Veterans Administration to enhance provider eligibility controls and oversight.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Examines the extent to which vulnerabilities in Veterans Community Care Program eligibility requirements contribute to potentially ineligible providers participating in the program. Offers recommendations to the Veterans Administration to enhance provider eligibility controls and oversight.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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