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Rural Health
Resources by Type: Document

Greater Minnesota: Refined & Revisited
Provides information on the composition of Minnesota's geography by urban, large town, small town, and rural based on population and proximity to other communities. Examines economics, demographics, and general well-being of the different population areas with explanation of how they are defined. Includes county-level maps breaking down demographic variables by population size as well as data tables that show population changes by county.
Date: 01/2017
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota State Demographic Center
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Engaging Tribal Nations of North Dakota in Conducting Community Health Assessments
Outlines the purpose and process of conducting a community health assessment (CHA) for Native American communities. Covers tribal public health policy and governance, community engagement in CHAs, steps for planning a CHA, working with data, and preparing a tribal community health improvement plan.
Date: 01/2017
Sponsoring organizations: American Indian Public Health Resource Center, North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
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Development of an Interdisciplinary Pre-Matriculation Program Designed to Promote Medical Students' Self Efficacy
Describes a pre-matriculation program for rural and Native American medical students at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus. Discusses the need for programs that increase student success for populations that will likely work in underserved communities. Assesses program effectiveness by measuring microbiology content retention and overall confidence of program participants.
Author(s): Anna Wirta Kosobuski, Abigail Whitney, Andrew Skildum, Amy Prunuske
Citation: Medical Education Online, 22(1), 1271835
Date: 01/2017
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Telemedicine and Primary Care Obesity Management in Rural Areas – Innovative Approach for Older Adults?
Explores telemedicine as a potential delivery tool for the Medicare Obesity Benefit in primary care settings. Describes challenges in implementing the benefit in rural areas, including increasing older adult populations, shortages in primary care and specialized healthcare providers, reimbursement issues, and transportation barriers. Presents the potential utility of telemedicine in rural obesity care and non-physician staff delivery options, which require regulatory changes.
Author(s): John Batsis, Sarah Pletcher, James Stahl
Citation: BMC Geriatrics, 17, 6
Date: 01/2017
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Understanding Treatment Gaps for Mental Health, Alcohol, and Drug Use in South Dakota: A Qualitative Study of Rural Perspectives
Details a study on gaps in access to behavioral health treatment in rural South Dakota. Discusses data collected from interviews with people in rural and tribal areas of the state with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
Author(s): Lauren Broffman, Margaret Spurlock, Kristen Dulacki, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 22(1), 71-81
Date: 01/2017
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Support and Sabotage: A Qualitative Study of Social Influences on Health Behaviors among Rural Adults
Examines the impact of social relationships on health behavior adoption and maintenance by interviewing midlife and older adults in rural Montana at increased risk of chronic disease. Addresses family and peer influences on diet, physical activity, and tobacco use.
Author(s): Urshila Sriram, Emily H. Morgan, Meredith L. Graham, Sara C. Folta, Rebecca A. Seguin
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 34(1), 88-97
Date: 01/2017
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Prescription Opioid Poisoning Across Urban and Rural Areas: Identifying Vulnerable Groups and Geographic Areas
Examines hospital discharge rates for prescription opioid poisoning for rural and urban areas using data from 2001-2011 in California. Identifies hot-spot locations for opioid poisoning and environmental features related to opioid poisoning using a ZIP code level of analysis. Discusses the implications for policymakers and public health officials.
Author(s): Magdalena Cerda, Andrew Gaidus, Katherine M. Keyes, et al.
Citation: Addiction, 112(1), 103-112
Date: 01/2017
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Evaluation of Rural vs Urban Trauma Patients Served by 9-1-1 Emergency Medical Services
Evaluates differences in rural and urban emergency medical services (EMS) using injury severity, care process, and mortality among injured patients based on data from rural and urban Oregon and Washington. Addresses distance to trauma centers, EMS structures, timing of death, and other factors.
Author(s): Craig D. Newgard, Rongwei Fu, Eileen Bulger, et al.
Citation: JAMA Surgery, 152(1), 11-18
Date: 01/2017
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Health Inequities by Sexual Orientation among New Mexican Adults, 2011-2014
Examines health outcomes and behaviors by sexual orientation for adults in New Mexico. Covers demographics, access to healthcare, chronic health conditions, behavioral risk factors including binge drinking and smoking, protective factors such as HIV and cervical cancer screening, and quality of life differences such as mental health. Includes rural/urban breakdowns for demographics and addresses disparities by race/ethnicity, including American Indian/Alaska Native lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults.
Date: 01/2017
Sponsoring organization: New Mexico Department of Health
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Changes in Individual and Small Group Behavioral Health Coverage Following the Enactment of Parity Requirements: Final Report
Examines the impact of extending parity protections for behavioral health coverage in 2014 to individual and small group plans, requiring them to cover behavioral health treatments at the same level as medical/surgical services. Addresses additional barriers for rural areas, such as network adequacy and shortages of psychiatrists.
Author(s): Alexander J. Cowell, Shivaani Prakash, Alan Barnosky, Brendan Wedehase, Allison Briggs
Date: 01/2017
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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