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Rural Health Information Hub

Pennsylvania Resources

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
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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
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural 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
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
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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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
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Consumer Finances in Rural Appalachia
Describes the financial needs and challenges of consumers in rural Appalachia. Features sections on consumer finance profiles, including a section on medical debt, and consumer distress and delinquencies. Appendix A includes state-level statistics for the 13 Appalachian states, including percent of rural people with medical debt in the state.
Author(s): Matthew Liu, Cooper Luce, Michael Orevba, Shawn Sebastian, Cortnie Shupe
Date: 09/2022
Sponsoring organization: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
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Experience in the Pennsylvania Rural Health Model: Barnes-Kasson County Hospital
Profiles Barnes-Kasson County Hospital, a Critical Access Hospital with three hospital-based Rural Health Clinics and a skilled nursing facility in Pennsylvania. Discusses the CAH's experience participating in the Pennsylvania Rural Health Model (PARHM). Describes the Barnes-Kasson transformation plan, challenges of the global budget model, peer learning and networking opportunities, and next steps.
Date: 08/2022
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
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Communities in Crisis: Exploring the PA Oral Health Workforce Shortages
Webinar presenting a panel discussion of Access to Oral Health Workforce Report: Part I, a July 2022 report on the status of the dental workforce in Pennsylvania. Transcript available by clicking the three dots on the line above the red Subscribe button.
Author(s): Helen Hawkey, Kelly A. Braun, Lauren Wagner, Meghan Bastin, Sean C. Boynes
Date: 08/2022
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Coalition for Oral Health
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Survey of Pennsylvania Emergency Medical Services Agencies
Results of a December 2021 survey of 389 directors of urban, rural, and mixed Pennsylvania emergency medical services agencies. Features statistics on topics including staffing, finances, changes in providers, recruitment and retention, and strategic planning, with breakdowns by rural and urban/mixed classifications.
Date: 07/2022
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Urban–Rural Differences in Health Care Utilization and COVID-19 Outcomes in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Examines associations of COVID-19 patients with type 2 diabetes by hospitalization outcomes and community type. Utilizes electronic health records (EHRs) from a Pennsylvania health system for COVID-19 outcomes such as death, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, ventilation, thromboembolism, and myocardial damage. Analyzes EHR data across township, borough, and city census tracts to understand relationships among rurality, socioeconomic deprivation, and COVID-19 outcomes.
Author(s): Annemarie G. Hirsch, Cara M. Nordberg, Karen Bandeen-Roche, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 19
Date: 07/2022
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Additional resources are available. See a full list of Pennsylvania Resources.