Rural Response to the Opioid Crisis – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Response to the Opioid Crisis.
A Rural Community's Perspective on the Causes of and Solutions to the Opioid Crisis in Southern Virginia: A Qualitative Study
Results of a study to gain insight into the perceptions, knowledge, and experiences of members of a southern Virginia rural community affected by the opioid crisis, to inform the development of local strategies to address the problem. Examines barriers and facilitators to treatment programs and offers recommendations for targeting populations at risk.
Author(s): Angelina J. Hargrove, Carlin Rafie, Emily Zimmerman, Dawn E. Moser
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 22(2), 7152
Date: 06/2022
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Results of a study to gain insight into the perceptions, knowledge, and experiences of members of a southern Virginia rural community affected by the opioid crisis, to inform the development of local strategies to address the problem. Examines barriers and facilitators to treatment programs and offers recommendations for targeting populations at risk.
Author(s): Angelina J. Hargrove, Carlin Rafie, Emily Zimmerman, Dawn E. Moser
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 22(2), 7152
Date: 06/2022
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Assessment of Community-Level Vulnerability and Access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder
Study examining access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in relation to social vulnerability to disasters based on zip code tabulation data (ZCTA) for 32,434 counties in the continental U.S. Discusses differences in geographic access to MOUD for rural and urban areas and the potential impacts of disasters on that access, highlighting potential interventions to bolster access to treatment.
Author(s): Paul J. Joudrey, Marynia Kolak, Qinyun Lin, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 5(4), e227028
Date: 04/2022
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Study examining access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in relation to social vulnerability to disasters based on zip code tabulation data (ZCTA) for 32,434 counties in the continental U.S. Discusses differences in geographic access to MOUD for rural and urban areas and the potential impacts of disasters on that access, highlighting potential interventions to bolster access to treatment.
Author(s): Paul J. Joudrey, Marynia Kolak, Qinyun Lin, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 5(4), e227028
Date: 04/2022
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Oversight: The Opioid Crisis in Tribal Communities
Recording of a U.S. House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing focused on the opioid crisis in tribal communities. Includes testimonies from representatives of the Cherokee Nation, the National Council of Urban Indian Health, the Border Patrol Council, and the Riverside-San Bernardino Indian Health.
Additional links: Art Del Cueto Testimony, Chuck Hoskin, Jr. Testimony, Maureen Rosette Testimony, Wayne Cortez Testimony, YouTube Recording
Date: 04/2022
Sponsoring organization: U.S. House of Representatives
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Recording of a U.S. House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, hearing focused on the opioid crisis in tribal communities. Includes testimonies from representatives of the Cherokee Nation, the National Council of Urban Indian Health, the Border Patrol Council, and the Riverside-San Bernardino Indian Health.
Additional links: Art Del Cueto Testimony, Chuck Hoskin, Jr. Testimony, Maureen Rosette Testimony, Wayne Cortez Testimony, YouTube Recording
Date: 04/2022
Sponsoring organization: U.S. House of Representatives
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Impact of Telemedicine on Retention in Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Treatment with Buprenorphine in the Times of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Chart Review
Study examining treatment retention for medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) patients via telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on electronic health records of patients at a rural Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Pennsylvania. Discusses the impacts of telemedicine on retention rates, COVID-19-related challenges to treatment delivery systems, and policy measures to support telehealth and MOUD interventions.
Author(s): Jagdeep Kaur, Irakli Mania, Raghavendra Tirupathi, Lakshmi Polavarapu
Citation: Journal of Rural Mental Health, 46(2), 75-81
Date: 04/2022
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Study examining treatment retention for medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) patients via telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on electronic health records of patients at a rural Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Pennsylvania. Discusses the impacts of telemedicine on retention rates, COVID-19-related challenges to treatment delivery systems, and policy measures to support telehealth and MOUD interventions.
Author(s): Jagdeep Kaur, Irakli Mania, Raghavendra Tirupathi, Lakshmi Polavarapu
Citation: Journal of Rural Mental Health, 46(2), 75-81
Date: 04/2022
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Strengthening Federal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Programs: Opportunities, Challenges, and Emerging Issues
Presents a full committee hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions discussing the current state of federal mental health and substance use disorder programs. Features testimonies from representatives of the Heath Resources and Services Administration, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Additional links: Carole Johnson Testimony, Joshua A. Gordon Testimony, Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon Testimony, Nora D. Volkow Testimony
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
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Presents a full committee hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions discussing the current state of federal mental health and substance use disorder programs. Features testimonies from representatives of the Heath Resources and Services Administration, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Additional links: Carole Johnson Testimony, Joshua A. Gordon Testimony, Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon Testimony, Nora D. Volkow Testimony
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
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Social Determinants of Mortality of COVID-19 and Opioid Overdose in American Rural and Urban Counties
Highlights a study on the social determinants of health that correlate with high COVID-19 and opioid overdose mortality in rural and urban counties. Breaks down county data by median income, unemployment, and healthcare workforce, among other factors.
Author(s): Yuhui Zhu, Zhe Fei, Larissa J. Mooney, et al.
Citation: Journal of Addiction Medicine, 16(1), e52-e55
Date: 02/2022
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Highlights a study on the social determinants of health that correlate with high COVID-19 and opioid overdose mortality in rural and urban counties. Breaks down county data by median income, unemployment, and healthcare workforce, among other factors.
Author(s): Yuhui Zhu, Zhe Fei, Larissa J. Mooney, et al.
Citation: Journal of Addiction Medicine, 16(1), e52-e55
Date: 02/2022
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Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking Final Report
Reports on synthetic drug trafficking in the U.S., including the challenges for law enforcement, need for updated drug policy, and surveillance and data analysis concerns. Discusses public health considerations and challenges for reducing the demand for drugs via treatment. Technical Appendixes include rural references throughout, and Figure B.5 shows opioid-involved overdose deaths by Core-Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) for 2000-2019.
Additional links: Technical Appendixes
Date: 02/2022
Sponsoring organizations: Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, RAND Corporation, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Treasury, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate
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Reports on synthetic drug trafficking in the U.S., including the challenges for law enforcement, need for updated drug policy, and surveillance and data analysis concerns. Discusses public health considerations and challenges for reducing the demand for drugs via treatment. Technical Appendixes include rural references throughout, and Figure B.5 shows opioid-involved overdose deaths by Core-Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) for 2000-2019.
Additional links: Technical Appendixes
Date: 02/2022
Sponsoring organizations: Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, RAND Corporation, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Treasury, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate
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Postmortem Screening of Opioids, Benzodiazepines, and Alcohol Among Rural and Urban Suicide Decedents
Presents a study comparing the co-use of opioids and other substances in opioid-related overdose suicides in rural and urban areas. Breaks down 2012-2015 data from the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) by toxicology reports, sex, and mental health history, among other factors.
Author(s): KM Bensley, William C Kerr, Sarah Beth Barnett, Nina Mulia
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 38(1), 77-86
Date: 01/2022
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Presents a study comparing the co-use of opioids and other substances in opioid-related overdose suicides in rural and urban areas. Breaks down 2012-2015 data from the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) by toxicology reports, sex, and mental health history, among other factors.
Author(s): KM Bensley, William C Kerr, Sarah Beth Barnett, Nina Mulia
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 38(1), 77-86
Date: 01/2022
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Applications of Research Evidence During Processes to Acquire Approvals for Syringe Services Program Implementation in Rural Counties in Kentucky
Presents a study on the research used to implement syringe services programs (SSPs) for people who inject drugs (PWID) in rural counties in Kentucky. Discusses the methods used for applying SSP research to the program approval and implementation processes.
Author(s): Sean T. Allen, Suzanne M. Grieb, Jennifer L. Glick, et al.
Citation: Annals of Medicine, 54(1), 404–412
Date: 01/2022
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Presents a study on the research used to implement syringe services programs (SSPs) for people who inject drugs (PWID) in rural counties in Kentucky. Discusses the methods used for applying SSP research to the program approval and implementation processes.
Author(s): Sean T. Allen, Suzanne M. Grieb, Jennifer L. Glick, et al.
Citation: Annals of Medicine, 54(1), 404–412
Date: 01/2022
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Rural and Urban Differences in Undersupply of Buprenorphine Provider Availability in the United States, 2018
Presents a study comparing county-level rates of providers with buprenorphine waivers with rates of opioid-overdose deaths and compares rural and urban areas. Details rural and urban comparisons for 38 states.
Author(s): Kevin P. Conway, Dalia Khoury, Rainer Hilscher, et al.
Citation: Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, 17, 5
Date: 01/2022
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Presents a study comparing county-level rates of providers with buprenorphine waivers with rates of opioid-overdose deaths and compares rural and urban areas. Details rural and urban comparisons for 38 states.
Author(s): Kevin P. Conway, Dalia Khoury, Rainer Hilscher, et al.
Citation: Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, 17, 5
Date: 01/2022
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Last Updated: 7/21/2025