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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Wellness, health promotion, and disease prevention

Few Patients Received High Amounts of Opioids from IHS-Run Pharmacies
Presents an evaluation of the opioid prescribing practices of the Indian Health Service (IHS). Bases analysis on IHS opioid prescribing data, discusses the role of electronic health records (EHRs) in monitoring opioid prescriptions, and makes recommendations to improve monitoring.
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Incidence of Adverse Events in Indian Health Service Hospitals
Explores the occurrence of harm events in Indian Health Service (IHS) hospitals. Discusses the rates of adverse harm events, or those leading to prolonged or permanent patient harm, and temporary harm events. Breaks down data by hospital size and patient age and reason for admission. Makes recommendations regarding quality control and oversight.
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Instances of IHS Labor and Delivery Care Not Following National Clinical Guidelines or Best Practices
Evaluates the labor and delivery practices of Indian Health Service (IHS) hospitals and highlights instances when they deviate from national clinical guidelines. Discusses the negative patient outcomes from deviating from national guidelines and makes recommendations regarding site visits and training.
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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An Evidence-Based Walking Program in Oregon Communities: Step It Up! Survivors
Describes the implementation and effectiveness of Step It Up! Survivors (SIUS), an evidence-based program designed to help promote social connections and increase physical activity among cancer survivors and their family and friends. Discusses the acceptability, feasibility, cost, sustainability, and other factors associated with implementing SIUS in Oregon, including responses from 6 rural organizations.
Author(s): Cynthia K. Perry, Laura P. Campbell, Jessica Currier, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 17
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
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Survey of Teen Noise Exposure and Efforts to Protect Hearing at School — United States, 2020
Examines noise exposure among youth 12-17 years of age in a school setting. Reports on frequency of exposure, provision of hearing protection devices, and whether prevention techniques were part of the curriculum. Includes data for metropolitan and nonmetro areas.
Author(s): John Eichwald, Franco Scinicariello
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(48), 1822-1826
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Improve Maternal Health
Describes the state of maternal health in the United States, including data and statistics on mortality and morbidity. Discusses risks to maternal health, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, infectious diseases, mental health conditions, intimate partner violence, and more. Recommends strategies and actions that individuals, organizations, and communities can implement to improve maternal health and reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Healthy Women, Healthy Pregnancies, Healthy Futures: Action Plan to Improve Maternal Health in America
Action plan outlining steps the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is taking to reduce maternal mortality and address disparities that endanger women before, during, and following pregnancy. Four main goals include: improving prevention and treatment services to promote positive health outcomes for every woman of reproductive age; prioritizing quality improvement efforts to support healthy pregnancies and births; improving postpartum health; and enhancing data and research to inform future interventions. Includes data and statistics on maternal health and morbidity, and addresses rural considerations throughout.
Author(s): Dawn Alley, Andre Chappel, Nancy De Lew, et al.
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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HIV Update - Alaska, 2019
Report on HIV and AIDS throughout the state of Alaska in 2019. Discusses the impact of HIV on rural Alaska communities.
Additional links: HIV Surveillance Report - Alaska, 1982-2019
Citation: State of Alaska Epidemiology Bulletin,14
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Alaska Division of Public Health
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Innovative COVID-19 Programs to Rapidly Serve New Mexico: Project ECHO
Details an evaluation of 10 different telementoring programs created by Project ECHO to address the COVID-19 pandemic in New Mexico. Compares the attendance data and infection data by county. Explores lessons learned and discusses Project ECHO's potential role in future crises.
Author(s): Joanna G. Katzman, Laura E. Tomedi, Karla Thornton, et al.
Citation: Public Health Reports, 136(1), 39-46
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
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Income Disparities Widen the Gap in Oral Health of California Adults
Policy brief discussing associations between social determinants of health (SDOH) and oral health in California adults using data from the 2017 and 2018 California Health Interview Surveys (CHIS). Describes barriers related to oral health education, literacy, access to care, and oral health screening for low-income populations. Related infographic offers a map of oral health differences by region, noting disparities in rural California counties and data on income and racial/ethnic population characteristics.
Additional links: Infographic
Author(s): Nadereh Pourat, Maria Ditter
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: UCLA Center for Health Policy Research
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