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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Type: Document

VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018 (VA MISSION Act; P.L.115-182)
Provides an overview of the changes made to the VA MISSION Act, including establishing a permanent Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) and provisions to help recruit and retain healthcare providers. Discusses provisions specific to healthcare access for veterans in rural and underserved areas.
Date: 11/2018
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Surveillance for Cancers Associated with Tobacco Use — United States, 2010–2014
Reports on tobacco-associated cancer incidence for lung, bronchial, and tracheal cancers; laryngeal cancer; oral cavity and pharyngeal cancers; esophageal cancer; stomach cancer; colon and rectal cancers; liver cancer; pancreatic cancer; kidney and renal pelvis cancers; urinary bladder cancer; cervical cancer; and acute myeloid leukemia. Includes data for metropolitan and nonmetro counties, as well as by sex, age, tumor characteristics, U.S. census region, state, and other demographics.
Author(s): M. Shayne Gallaway, S. Jane Henley, C. Brooke Steele, et al.
Citation: MMWR Surveillance Summaries, 67(12), 1-42
Date: 11/2018
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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High Prevalence of Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors among Adolescents in Pohnpei, Micronesia
Reports on a study of secondary school students in Pohnpei state, Federated States of Micronesia, regarding substance use and weight. Compares factors by sex, age group, school type, and grade level. Focuses on alcohol, tobacco, and betel nut use.
Author(s): Delpihn Abraham, Haley L. Cash, A. Mark Durand, et al.
Citation: Hawai'i Journal of Medicine and Public Health, 77(11), 283-288
Date: 11/2018
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The Opioid Crisis and Economic Opportunity: Geographic and Economic Trends
Features a study on the relationship between economic opportunity and opioid use. Explores the correlation between poverty and opioid prescriptions, hospitalizations, and overdose rates. Features several nationwide maps of county-level data.
Author(s): Robin Ghertner, Lincoln Groves
Date: 11/2018
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Medical Surge and the Role of Health Clinics
Results of a study exploring the scope and level of implementation of emergency management activities among health clinics, including Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics. Uses information from 175 online surveys with health clinic leaders from 38 states. Features statistics from participating clinics, with breakdowns by urban, suburban, rural, and remote locations, and type of clinic.
Additional links: Summary
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response
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The State of Rural Health in Illinois: Great Challenges and a Path Forward
Provides information and statistics regarding rural health issues in Illinois, including healthcare shortages, opioid mortality rates, childhood abuse and dysfunction, obesity rates, housing, and more. Discusses relevant strategies to address these issues.
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organization: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
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Community Perspectives on Emergency Department Use and Care for American Indian Children
Explores parental and community perspectives of pediatric emergency department (ED) use for American Indian (AI) populations. Utilizes qualitative data from 70 parents who participated in focus groups to report on issues such as healthcare access, healthcare environment, and culturally insensitive interactions with professionals. Includes participants from both rural and urban areas and presents differentiated experiences according to location.
Author(s): Wyatt J. Pickner, Katherine M. Ziegler, Jessica D. Hanson, et al.
Citation: Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 5(5), 939-946
Date: 10/2018
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Ensuring Access to Healthy Food in Beaufort County
Describes a collaborative community effort establishing a city market to increase access to healthy food in rural Beaufort County, North Carolina. The Washington City Market provides a venue for local growers to sell their products and matches restaurants in the region with local growers and their products.
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organization: Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust
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Examining the Association Between Intervention-Related Changes in Diet, Physical Activity, and Weight as Moderated by the Food and Physical Activity Environments among Rural, Southern Adults
Study examining changes in weight, diet, and physical activity in rural adults who took part in a lifestyle intervention in rural Lenoir County, North Carolina. Reports data on self-reported and objectively-measured changes over 6 months, covering access to different kinds of food retailers, gyms, and parks, as well as community walkability, crime, and barriers to physical activity.
Author(s): Stephanie B. Jilcott Pitts, Thomas C. Keyserling, Larry F. Johnston, et al.
Citation: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 117(10), 1618-1627
Date: 10/2018
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Understanding Infant and Toddler Child Care Deserts
Examines the availability of licensed infant-toddler child care in 9 states and the District of Columbia, with a focus on how rural communities are disproportionately affected by a limited or complete lack of access to childcare services. Features discussion on consequences of childcare deserts and offers policy recommendations to increase the supply of licensed child care.
Author(s): Steven Jessen-Howard, Rasheed Malik, Simon Workman, Katie Hamm
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organization: Center for American Progress
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