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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Type: Document

Extending Work on Rural Health Disparities: A Commentary on Matthews and Colleagues' Report
Commentary on the CDC MMWR report, Health-Related Behaviors by Urban-Rural County Classification — United States, 2013. Discusses the value of the data provided in the report, which highlights health-related behaviors for six geographic levels. Offers recommendations to build on this work.
Author(s): Paul A. Gilbert, Helena H. Laroche, Robert B. Wallace, Edith A. Parker, Susan J. Curry
Citation: Journal of Rural Health
Date: 04/2017
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Rural Health Literacy: Understanding Skills and Demands is Key to Improvement
Provides an overview of the health literacy concerns in rural areas, with insights from researchers and other health literacy experts. Discusses both the skills and demands sides of health literacy and how rural healthcare providers can help their patients.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 04/2017
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Is Urban-Rural Location Associated With Weight Status in School Children? An Examination of 42 Small and Rural Californian Counties
Study examining differences in overweight and obesity in urban and rural California public school students during 2010-2011. Features statistics including age, sex, grade level, race or ethnicity, eligibility for free or reduced price lunches, and body mass index, with breakdowns by four levels of urban or rural school status.
Author(s): Ron Strochlic, Lauren E. Au, Lorrene Ritchie
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 17(2), 3966
Date: 04/2017
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Harm Reduction – West Virginia Local Health Departments Lead Efforts to Mitigate Human and Financial Costs of Opioid Epidemic
Describes West Virginia public health departments' efforts to promote harm reduction programs, as a response to the opioid crisis and resulting overdose deaths. Gives examples of successful programs from across the state.
Date: 04/2017
Sponsoring organization: West Virginia Association of Local Health Departments
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Rural Opioid Prevention and Treatment Strategies: The Experience in Four States
Study examining strategies for dealing with the rural opioid crisis, including prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Uses data from interviews with key stakeholders in Indiana, North Carolina, Vermont, and Washington.
Additional links: Research and Policy Brief
Author(s): John A. Gale, Anush Y. Hansen, Martha Elbaum Williamson
Date: 04/2017
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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Designing a Health System That Works for the Tribe
Outlines the challenges facing the Rosebud Sioux Tribe as they work to restore services and improve quality in their Indian Health Service (IHS) hospital. Despite challenges leading to the closure of their emergency department and surgical and obstetrics wards, members of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe are exploring the option of hospital self-governance and believe a high quality healthcare system is within reach.
Author(s): Jessica Bylander
Citation: Health Affairs, 36(4), 592-595
Date: 04/2017
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Impact of Comorbidities Among Medicaid Enrollees With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, United States, 2009
Results of a study exploring how comorbidities among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease affect disease burden, emergency department use, hospitalizations, and healthcare costs. Uses data from 2009 for 291,978 people aged 18-64 from 28 states. Features statistics with breakdowns including age group, race or ethnicity, sex, and residence in large metropolitan, small metropolitan, or rural areas.
Author(s): Gloria Westney, Marilyn G. Foreman, Junjun Xu, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 14
Date: 04/2017
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Health Care: Telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring Use in Medicare and Selected Federal Programs
Examines factors affecting the provision of telehealth and remote patient monitoring (RPM) in Medicare and emerging payment and delivery models that could affect its future use. Analyzes data collected through review of agency documents and regulations, and interviews with officials representing 9 general and medical specialty associations familiar with telehealth. Includes state Medicaid reimbursement examples. Rural-specific implications are discussed throughout.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 04/2017
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Closure of Hospital Obstetric Services Disproportionately Affects Less-Populated Rural Counties
Policy brief describing a study examining obstetric unit and hospital closures in rural areas of the United States, 2004-2014. Features statistics with breakdowns by all rural counties, micropolitan, and noncore areas.
Author(s): Peiyin Hung, Katy Kozhimannil, Carrie Henning-Smith, Michelle Casey
Date: 04/2017
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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How Has the ACA Changed Finances for Different Types of Hospitals? Updated Insights from 2015 Cost Report Data
Compares the impact of whether states decided to expand Medicaid on hospital finances, including an exploration of the impact on various types of hospitals. Examines and compares hospital financial indicators such as uncompensated care, Medicaid revenue, operating margin, and excess margins from fiscal year (FY) 2011 through FY 2015. Includes an extensive discussion on the variation between metro and nonmetro hospitals, and provides tables and charts to help illustrate trends.
Author(s): Fredric Blavin
Date: 04/2017
Sponsoring organizations: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Urban Institute
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