Rural Response to the Opioid Crisis – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Response to the Opioid Crisis.
IHS Needs to Improve Oversight of Its Hospitals' Opioid Prescribing and Dispensing Practices and Consider Centralizing Its Information Technology Functions
Reports on a review of Indian Health Service (IHS) hospitals with a focus on opioid prescriptions and dispensing, information technology (IT), and cybersecurity. Identifies deficiencies related to opioid policies and procedures and supports centralizing IHS IT systems.
Date: 07/2019
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Reports on a review of Indian Health Service (IHS) hospitals with a focus on opioid prescriptions and dispensing, information technology (IT), and cybersecurity. Identifies deficiencies related to opioid policies and procedures and supports centralizing IHS IT systems.
Date: 07/2019
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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The Role of Primary Care in Improving Access to Medication-Assisted Treatment for Rural Medicaid Enrollees with Opioid Use Disorder
Examines the utilization of primary care among rural Medicaid enrollees in rural Pennsylvania diagnosed with an opioid use disorder (OUD). Describes the relationship between primary care utilization, distance to a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) prescriber, and MAT utilization.
Author(s): Evan S. Cole, Ellen DiDomenico, Gerald Cochran, et al.
Citation: Journal of General Internal Medicine, 34(6), 936-943
Date: 06/2019
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Examines the utilization of primary care among rural Medicaid enrollees in rural Pennsylvania diagnosed with an opioid use disorder (OUD). Describes the relationship between primary care utilization, distance to a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) prescriber, and MAT utilization.
Author(s): Evan S. Cole, Ellen DiDomenico, Gerald Cochran, et al.
Citation: Journal of General Internal Medicine, 34(6), 936-943
Date: 06/2019
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Determining Spatial Access to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment and Emergency Medical Services in New Hampshire
Highlights a study on the effect of geospatial determinants on access to opioid use disorder treatment and emergency medical services in New Hampshire. Breaks down data by metropolitan, micropolitan, small town, and rural communities.
Author(s): Yanjia Cao, Kathleen Stewart, Eric Wish, et al.
Citation: Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 101, 55-66
Date: 06/2019
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Highlights a study on the effect of geospatial determinants on access to opioid use disorder treatment and emergency medical services in New Hampshire. Breaks down data by metropolitan, micropolitan, small town, and rural communities.
Author(s): Yanjia Cao, Kathleen Stewart, Eric Wish, et al.
Citation: Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 101, 55-66
Date: 06/2019
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3 Questions to Integrate Substance Use Disorder Services into Primary Care
Fact sheet providing examples of tools and potential mentoring opportunities for providing substance use disorder treatment services in rural areas.
Date: 06/2019
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
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Fact sheet providing examples of tools and potential mentoring opportunities for providing substance use disorder treatment services in rural areas.
Date: 06/2019
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
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At the Front Lines in Tennessee: Rural Clinic Offers Trauma-Informed Treatment for Substance Use Disorder
Describes the work of a rural Tennessee physician who uses medication-assisted treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, and group therapy sessions to treat patients struggling with substance use disorder. Explores the connection between adverse childhood experiences and substance abuse, and stigma associated with seeking treatment.
Author(s): Mariel Gingrich
Date: 06/2019
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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Describes the work of a rural Tennessee physician who uses medication-assisted treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, and group therapy sessions to treat patients struggling with substance use disorder. Explores the connection between adverse childhood experiences and substance abuse, and stigma associated with seeking treatment.
Author(s): Mariel Gingrich
Date: 06/2019
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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Tailoring Crisis Response and Pre-arrest Diversion Models for Rural Communities
Outlines a guide for rural communities to develop crisis response and pre-arrest diversion programs for people with mental health or substance use disorders. Discusses the use of technology to connect law enforcement with behavioral health programs, as well as building off of current programs to address the specific needs of the community.
Date: 06/2019
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Outlines a guide for rural communities to develop crisis response and pre-arrest diversion programs for people with mental health or substance use disorders. Discusses the use of technology to connect law enforcement with behavioral health programs, as well as building off of current programs to address the specific needs of the community.
Date: 06/2019
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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How the Federal Government Supports State and Local Efforts to Improve Rural Health: A Q&A with Tom Morris
Provides a Q&A with Tom Morris, associate administrator of rural health policy at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Focuses on how government agencies are addressing rural hospital closures, population health, rural workforce development, and the opioid epidemic.
Date: 06/2019
Sponsoring organization: Milbank Memorial Fund
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Provides a Q&A with Tom Morris, associate administrator of rural health policy at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Focuses on how government agencies are addressing rural hospital closures, population health, rural workforce development, and the opioid epidemic.
Date: 06/2019
Sponsoring organization: Milbank Memorial Fund
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Understanding the Public Health Consequences of Suspending a Rural Syringe Services Program: A Qualitative Study of the Experiences of People Who Inject Drugs
Details a study on the public health outcomes associated with discontinuing syringe services programs (SSPs) in rural areas where people who inject drugs (PWIDs) are prevalent. Focuses on the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department in West Virginia.
Author(s): Sean T. Allen, Suzanne M. Grieb, Allison O'Rourke, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 16
Date: 05/2019
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Details a study on the public health outcomes associated with discontinuing syringe services programs (SSPs) in rural areas where people who inject drugs (PWIDs) are prevalent. Focuses on the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department in West Virginia.
Author(s): Sean T. Allen, Suzanne M. Grieb, Allison O'Rourke, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 16
Date: 05/2019
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Opioids in Appalachia: The Role of Counties in Reversing a Regional Epidemic
Details the state of the opioid epidemic in Appalachia and presents recommendations to help county leaders respond to the opioid crisis. Features individual county case studies highlighting the challenges and strategies in addressing the opioid crisis.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 05/2019
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Counties
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Details the state of the opioid epidemic in Appalachia and presents recommendations to help county leaders respond to the opioid crisis. Features individual county case studies highlighting the challenges and strategies in addressing the opioid crisis.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 05/2019
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Counties
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Pain Management for People with Serious Illness in the Context of the Opioid Use Disorder Epidemic: Proceedings of a Workshop
Reports on a workshop with multiple stakeholders discussing pain management in the context of the opioid misuse epidemic. Reviews the opioid epidemic, how responses to it have affected people with serious illness and pain, the pain management needs of people with substance use disorder, policy responses, and next steps. Includes a few examples from rural areas and addresses some challenges specific to rural.
Additional links: Read Online
Date: 05/2019
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Reports on a workshop with multiple stakeholders discussing pain management in the context of the opioid misuse epidemic. Reviews the opioid epidemic, how responses to it have affected people with serious illness and pain, the pain management needs of people with substance use disorder, policy responses, and next steps. Includes a few examples from rural areas and addresses some challenges specific to rural.
Additional links: Read Online
Date: 05/2019
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Last Updated: 8/22/2025