Pennsylvania Resources
HPV ECHO for Providers: Strengthening Opportunities to Increase HPV Vaccination Coverage in Rural Primary Care
Discusses a study using the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) Model to train rural primary care clinics to deliver evidence-based human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine communication to rural families in Pennsylvania. Highlights initial findings related to communication strategy and effectiveness.
Author(s): William A. Calo, Josheili Y. Llavona-Ortiz
Date: 02/2024
Sponsoring organization: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
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Discusses a study using the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) Model to train rural primary care clinics to deliver evidence-based human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine communication to rural families in Pennsylvania. Highlights initial findings related to communication strategy and effectiveness.
Author(s): William A. Calo, Josheili Y. Llavona-Ortiz
Date: 02/2024
Sponsoring organization: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
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Services to Individuals with Intellectual Disability, Developmental Disability, or Autism Through the Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs
Examines ways to deliver services to individuals with intellectual disability, developmental disability, and autism, and offers recommendations for offering services efficiently and uniformly. Includes sections on Medicaid waivers, types of services, workforce development, and program accountability. Features a section on transportation challenges in rural areas for people with disabilities.
Author(s): Yvonne Llewellyn Hursh, Stephen J. Kramer, Wendy L. Baker
Date: 02/2024
Sponsoring organization: Joint State Government Commission, General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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Examines ways to deliver services to individuals with intellectual disability, developmental disability, and autism, and offers recommendations for offering services efficiently and uniformly. Includes sections on Medicaid waivers, types of services, workforce development, and program accountability. Features a section on transportation challenges in rural areas for people with disabilities.
Author(s): Yvonne Llewellyn Hursh, Stephen J. Kramer, Wendy L. Baker
Date: 02/2024
Sponsoring organization: Joint State Government Commission, General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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Early Impacts of the Pennsylvania Rural Health Model on Potentially Avoidable Utilization
Assesses the impact of the Pennsylvania Rural Health Model (PARHM) on potentially avoidable utilization rates between 2016 and 2022 by comparing participating and non-participating hospitals. Discusses the potential impact of COVID-19 on results.
Author(s): Donald S. Bourne, Eric T. Roberts, Lindsay M. Sabik
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 2(2)
Date: 02/2024
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Assesses the impact of the Pennsylvania Rural Health Model (PARHM) on potentially avoidable utilization rates between 2016 and 2022 by comparing participating and non-participating hospitals. Discusses the potential impact of COVID-19 on results.
Author(s): Donald S. Bourne, Eric T. Roberts, Lindsay M. Sabik
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 2(2)
Date: 02/2024
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Recruitment in Appalachian, Rural and Older Adult Populations in an Artificial Intelligence World: Study Using Human-Mediated Follow-Up
Evaluates the effectiveness of a research study recruitment strategy using multiple contact methods for the rural, older adult population in Appalachian Pennsylvania. Includes rural and urban comparisons within Appalachian Pennsylvania and discusses common barriers to research participation for this group.
Author(s): Tabitha Milliken, Donielle Beiler, Samantha Hoffman, Ashlee Olenginski, Vanessa Troiani
Citation: JMIR Formative Research, 8(2024), 38189
Date: 2024
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Evaluates the effectiveness of a research study recruitment strategy using multiple contact methods for the rural, older adult population in Appalachian Pennsylvania. Includes rural and urban comparisons within Appalachian Pennsylvania and discusses common barriers to research participation for this group.
Author(s): Tabitha Milliken, Donielle Beiler, Samantha Hoffman, Ashlee Olenginski, Vanessa Troiani
Citation: JMIR Formative Research, 8(2024), 38189
Date: 2024
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Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health Strategic Plan, 2024-2027
Three-year plan of action for the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health. Features areas of focus including strengthening of rural healthcare delivery systems, community and population health, areas of unmet need, advocacy, continuing education, and expansion of infrastructure.
Date: 2024
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health
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Three-year plan of action for the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health. Features areas of focus including strengthening of rural healthcare delivery systems, community and population health, areas of unmet need, advocacy, continuing education, and expansion of infrastructure.
Date: 2024
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health
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Pennsylvania Population Projections 2050: A First Look
Report projecting county-level population changes for Pennsylvania through 2050. Discusses the aging population and the implications for rural healthcare, workforce, and more.
Date: 10/2023
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Report projecting county-level population changes for Pennsylvania through 2050. Discusses the aging population and the implications for rural healthcare, workforce, and more.
Date: 10/2023
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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The Pennsylvania Rural Health Model (PARHM): Third Annual Evaluation Report
Evaluates the third performance year of the Pennsylvania Rural Health Model (PARHM), an initiative designed to test if global budgets can help rural hospitals improve their financial viability, provide flexibility to meet locally defined community health needs, and reduce overall healthcare spending. Provides an overview of the model and describes the implementation experience of participating hospitals and payers. Presents a descriptive quantitative assessment of financial performance, spending and utilization, access to care, and quality of care outcomes from 2016, the model's baseline, through 2021. Includes three case studies discussing three themes: the recruitment and retention of system-affiliated hospitals, engagement and coordination with community organizations and providers, and exploring service line changes.
Additional links: Appendix, Findings at a Glance
Date: 09/2023
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, NORC at the University of Chicago
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Evaluates the third performance year of the Pennsylvania Rural Health Model (PARHM), an initiative designed to test if global budgets can help rural hospitals improve their financial viability, provide flexibility to meet locally defined community health needs, and reduce overall healthcare spending. Provides an overview of the model and describes the implementation experience of participating hospitals and payers. Presents a descriptive quantitative assessment of financial performance, spending and utilization, access to care, and quality of care outcomes from 2016, the model's baseline, through 2021. Includes three case studies discussing three themes: the recruitment and retention of system-affiliated hospitals, engagement and coordination with community organizations and providers, and exploring service line changes.
Additional links: Appendix, Findings at a Glance
Date: 09/2023
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, NORC at the University of Chicago
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The State of Our Health: A Statewide Health Assessment of Pennsylvania, August 2023 Update
Identifies specific health challenges in Pennsylvania and indicates where the largest improvements can be made. Features sections on social determinants of health, access to care, substance use, chronic diseases, mental health, maternal and infant health, injury and violence prevention, infectious diseases and immunization, Health Professional Shortage Areas, and environmental health. Includes references to rural throughout.
Date: 08/2023
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Department of Health
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Identifies specific health challenges in Pennsylvania and indicates where the largest improvements can be made. Features sections on social determinants of health, access to care, substance use, chronic diseases, mental health, maternal and infant health, injury and violence prevention, infectious diseases and immunization, Health Professional Shortage Areas, and environmental health. Includes references to rural throughout.
Date: 08/2023
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Department of Health
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Pennsylvania Summer Food Service Program Sites, by Rural and Urban County
County-level map showing locations of USDA Summer Food Service Program meal sites, with shadings indicating rural or urban counties.
Date: 06/2023
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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County-level map showing locations of USDA Summer Food Service Program meal sites, with shadings indicating rural or urban counties.
Date: 06/2023
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Reversing Population Decline in Rural Pennsylvania
Explores the factors that attract or discourage people from relocating to and staying in rural areas, and how those factors align with existing population shrinkage strategies in rural communities. Discusses the importance of access to healthcare when people make decisions about living in rural or urban areas.
Author(s): Bing Ran, Joseph Hafer
Date: 06/2023
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Explores the factors that attract or discourage people from relocating to and staying in rural areas, and how those factors align with existing population shrinkage strategies in rural communities. Discusses the importance of access to healthcare when people make decisions about living in rural or urban areas.
Author(s): Bing Ran, Joseph Hafer
Date: 06/2023
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Additional resources are available. See a full list of Pennsylvania Resources.

