Pennsylvania Resources

Healthcare Provider Networks Inadequate to Serve All: Causes and Solutions in Pennsylvania
Discusses what happens when health plan networks are inadequate to serve their members, why this happens, and what the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania can do to address the problem. Includes a section on provider shortages in rural areas of Pennsylvania, a county-level map showing prevalence of disability in Pennsylvania, and statistics on travel time to appointments and wait times to get an appointment.
Date: 2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council, Pennsylvania Health Access Network
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2021 Pennsylvania's Dentist and Dental Hygienist Workforce Survey Report
Presents findings from the 2021 Dentist Survey and 2021 Dental Hygienist Survey, designed to collect information on the characteristics and distribution of the dentist and dental hygienist workforces in Pennsylvania. Features demographics and statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural location.
Date: 2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Department of Health
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A Comparison of Critical Access Hospitals and Other Rural Acute Care Hospitals in Pennsylvania
Examines finances of acute care hospitals in rural Pennsylvania between 2000 and 2020 to determine if the Critical Access Hospital (CAH) designation increases financial stability. Compares CAHs to rural Prospective Payment System hospitals to draw conclusions on the success of the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program's impact on CAHs. Includes information on financial measures, hospital characteristics, quality measures, payer mix, and more to suggest opportunities for strengthening CAH viability.
Author(s): Dinesh R. Pai, Chamila K. Dissanayake, Anna M. Anna
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 39(4), 719-727
Date: 2023
Type: Document
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Distance Learning and Online Coordination of Service in Pennsylvania's Rural School Districts
Examines the barriers rural Pennsylvania schools experienced in providing their communities with essential nonacademic services during COVID-19 pandemic closures. Analyzes information from rural school district websites, planning documents, superintendent surveys and interviews, and focus groups with constituents to understand needs around mental healthcare, professional development, internet and computer access, staff shortages, and more.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Gerald LeTendre, Peggy Schooling, Hansol Woo, Meredith Bannon, Josh Almes
Date: 12/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Report of the (Pennsylvania) Opioid Abuse Child Impact Task Force: Act 2 of 2022
Identifies strategies to mitigate the suffering of Pennsylvania infants and children affected by the opioid epidemic and alcohol abuse. Offers 13 actionable recommendations for consideration by the General Assembly and governor. Mentions rural throughout, and includes county-level maps showing higher rates of opioid use disorder and its consequences in Pennsylvania rural counties.
Author(s): Glenn J. Pasewicz, Allison N. Kobzowicz, Daniel Nguyen, et al.
Date: 11/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Joint State Government Commission, General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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Social Determinants of Health in the Age of COVID: Effects of Social Isolation Among Adults 62+ in Rural Pennsylvania
Results of a study analyzing the extent of social isolation among rural Pennsylvanians aged 62 or older during the pandemic, evaluating determinants of social isolation, identifying programs and services that minimize social isolation, and assessing potential replicability in Pennsylvania. Includes sections on factors such as mental health access, faith-based organizations, transportation, technology use, and housing options.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Christopher Harris, FangHsun Wei, Mary Rita Weller, Kelly Smith
Date: 11/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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An Analysis of Pennsylvania's Children
Report examining trends from 2010-2019 pertaining to Pennsylvania children ages 0-17, comparing and contrasting the profiles of rural and urban children. Provides statistics on dimensions including economic circumstances, education, foster care, insurance, access to healthcare, health, mortality, and use of alcohol and illicit drugs.
Author(s): Rhoda C. Joseph
Date: 11/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Statewide Broadband Plan
Outlines goals and strategies to expand broadband access to rural and underserved areas of Pennsylvania. Describes importance of broadband in providing adequate, reliable emergency services, and enhancing tools to ensure access to healthcare services.
Date: 11/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development
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Teledentistry Trends in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Reviews the use of teledentistry during and following the COVID-19 pandemic in California, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, and examines reimbursement issues and supports needed to enhance dental care in a post-COVID-19 world. Mentions rural throughout.
Author(s): Miranda Werts, Prashanta Patel, Elizabeth Mertz
Date: 10/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Oral Health Workforce Research Center
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Pennsylvania SNAP Enrollment as Percent of Population, by County: September 2022
County-level map with percentages of SNAP enrollment and shadings indicating counties that are at or below the statewide rate and those that are above the statewide rate. Includes statistics on Pennsylvania SNAP enrollment by year from 2012-2022, with breakdowns by urban and rural location.
Date: 09/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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