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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Type: Document

Health Workforce Issues in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Populations
Rapid response policy brief providing an overview of the Indian Health Service (IHS), and discussing tribally-operated health services and access to health services and insurance outside of tribal or IHS networks. Describes the representation of AI/AN populations within the healthcare workforce and offers recommendations and strategies to strengthen the health workforce providing care for AI/AN populations.
Author(s): Natalia V. Oster, Susan M. Skillman, Bianca K. Frogner
Date: 07/2022
Sponsoring organization: UW Center for Health Workforce Studies
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Increasing Access to Routine Child Immunizations: State Approaches for Increasing Pharmacy Enrollment in the VFC Program
Discusses how increasing pharmacy participation in the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC) can promote access to childhood vaccinations and reduce disparities. Outlines steps states can take to identify and address barriers to enrollment, including examining reimbursement policies, aligning program requirements with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requirements, addressing common provider misconceptions about the VFC program, and addressing pediatrician concerns.
Author(s): Ella Roth, Katie Greene, Michelle Fiscus
Date: 07/2022
Sponsoring organization: National Academy for State Health Policy
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Types of Rural and Urban Hospitals and Counties Where They Are Located
Offers a snapshot of the types of rural and urban hospitals and the counties where they are located. Presents data on the number and percent of acute care hospitals and average daily census by hospital type, special payment designation, and county size. Includes descriptions of Medicare special payment designations for hospitals.
Date: 07/2022
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Responding to a Surge in Overdose Deaths: Perspectives From US Syringe Services Programs
Highlights a study on the perspectives of syringe service program (SSP) leadership and staff regarding overdose deaths in the US. Bases conclusions on interviews done from February to March of 2021 and breaks down participant data by geographic region, distribution approach, and rurality, among others factors.
Author(s): Madeline C. Frost, Elizabeth J. Austin, Maria A. Corcorran, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 19, 79
Date: 07/2022
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Increased Rates of Death from Unintentional Injury among Non-Hispanic White, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Non-Metropolitan Communities
Examines the rate of fatal and nonfatal injuries in non-metropolitan and metropolitan areas, and the association with race/ethnicity. Uses information from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey public use datafile for 2018. Features statistics including estimated rate of nonfatal unintentional injuries among people seeking treatment at hospitals, deaths from unintentional injuries, and age-adjusted death rates for all causes of unintentional injury from 2014-2018, with breakdowns by metropolitan and non-metropolitan location.
Author(s): Lindsey R. Hammerslag, Jeffery Talbert, Tyrone F. Borders
Date: 07/2022
Sponsoring organization: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
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Rural Household Food Insecurity among Latino Immigrants during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Investigates impacts of COVID-19 on food insecurity among Latino immigrant families in rural areas of California. Utilizes interviews from 31 participants to examine barriers to food access including transportation, school closures, and lack of convenience. Discusses mitigation efforts related to food insecurity such as government and charitable programs.
Author(s): Denise Diaz Payán, Fabiola Perez-Lua, Sidra Goldman-Mellor, Maria-Elena De Trinidad Young
Citation: Nutrients, 14(13)
Date: 07/2022
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How Increased Funding Can Advance the Mission of the Indian Health Service to Improve Health Outcomes for American Indians and Alaska Natives
Provides an overview of health and healthcare disparities experienced by American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations. Describes the role of the federal government in financing and providing healthcare services to these populations. Discusses how enhanced funding could help further the Indian Health Service's mission to ensure that tribal communities have access to high-quality healthcare services.
Date: 07/2022
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Urban–Rural Differences in Health Care Utilization and COVID-19 Outcomes in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Examines associations of COVID-19 patients with type 2 diabetes by hospitalization outcomes and community type. Utilizes electronic health records (EHRs) from a Pennsylvania health system for COVID-19 outcomes such as death, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, ventilation, thromboembolism, and myocardial damage. Analyzes EHR data across township, borough, and city census tracts to understand relationships among rurality, socioeconomic deprivation, and COVID-19 outcomes.
Author(s): Annemarie G. Hirsch, Cara M. Nordberg, Karen Bandeen-Roche, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 19
Date: 07/2022
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Synthesis of Evaluation Results across 21 Medicare Models, 2012-2020
Summarizes results from evaluations of 21 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) Innovation Center models. Examines measures related to gross and net Medicare spending, utilization, and quality of care. Identifies themes among models with similar participant types and interventions used. Offers considerations for acute or specialty care and targeted populations models and prevention and population management models.
Additional links: Findings at a Glance, Synthesis of Evaluation Results Across 21 Medicare Models Slides, Transcript, Webinar Recording
Date: 07/2022
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Pandemic-Triggered Adoption of Telehealth in Underserved Communities: Descriptive Study of Pre- and Postshutdown Trends
Examines telehealth utilization before and during the COVID-19 pandemic based on Medicaid reimbursement data for Alabama from March 2019 to June 2021. Breaks down data by race/ethnicity, sex, rurality, age, and service and provider type.
Author(s): Pei Xu, Matthew Hudnall, Sidi Zhao, et al.
Citation: Journal of Medical Internet Research, 24(7), e38602
Date: 07/2022
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