Rural Response to the Opioid Crisis – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Response to the Opioid Crisis.
Substance Use Among Rural Adolescents With Incarcerated Parents: Evidence From a State-Wide Sample
Presents a study on the potential correlation between parental incarceration and rural adolescent substance use. Draws data from the 2019 Minnesota Student Survey and breaks down findings by age, household substance use, and poverty, among other factors.
Author(s): Luke Muentner, Katie K. McLaughlin, Rebecca Shlafer
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 40(2), 338-347
Date: 11/2023
view details
Presents a study on the potential correlation between parental incarceration and rural adolescent substance use. Draws data from the 2019 Minnesota Student Survey and breaks down findings by age, household substance use, and poverty, among other factors.
Author(s): Luke Muentner, Katie K. McLaughlin, Rebecca Shlafer
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 40(2), 338-347
Date: 11/2023
view details
The Opioid Crisis in the Pandemic Era
Analyzes trends in opioid use during the 2019-2021 years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Provides information on the history of the opioid crisis and mortality rates by age, race/ethnicity, type of opioid, state, and urbanicity, including non-metro, small/medium metro, and large metro.
Additional links: Appendix
Author(s): Colin Planalp, Andrea Stewart
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organizations: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, State Health Access Data Assistance Center
view details
Analyzes trends in opioid use during the 2019-2021 years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Provides information on the history of the opioid crisis and mortality rates by age, race/ethnicity, type of opioid, state, and urbanicity, including non-metro, small/medium metro, and large metro.
Additional links: Appendix
Author(s): Colin Planalp, Andrea Stewart
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organizations: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, State Health Access Data Assistance Center
view details
Extra Episode - Rural Communities Opioid Response Program with Megan Meacham and Sarah O'Donell
Podcast episode featuring Megan Meacham and Sarah O'Donnell from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. Describes the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP), which aims to improve access to substance use disorder, prevention, treatment, and recovery services in rural communities. Discusses examples of how RCORP grantees are effectively serving communities and tips for accessing resources to address the opioid crisis in tips for accessing resources to address the rural opioid crisis.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Impact! Communications, Inc.
view details
Podcast episode featuring Megan Meacham and Sarah O'Donnell from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. Describes the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP), which aims to improve access to substance use disorder, prevention, treatment, and recovery services in rural communities. Discusses examples of how RCORP grantees are effectively serving communities and tips for accessing resources to address the opioid crisis in tips for accessing resources to address the rural opioid crisis.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Impact! Communications, Inc.
view details
Will Availability of Over-the-Counter Narcan Increase Access?
Highlights state policies and recent research related to over-the-counter naloxone access. Includes information on the impact of rurality on access. Also discusses insurance coverage and impact of cost.
Author(s): Heather Saunders, Robin Rudowitz
Date: 09/2023
Sponsoring organization: KFF
view details
Highlights state policies and recent research related to over-the-counter naloxone access. Includes information on the impact of rurality on access. Also discusses insurance coverage and impact of cost.
Author(s): Heather Saunders, Robin Rudowitz
Date: 09/2023
Sponsoring organization: KFF
view details
This Team from HHS Has Spent Five Years Taking on the Rural Crisis of Opioid Use
Podcast episode interviewing Heath Resource and Services Administration (HRSA) officials running the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP). Describes starting the program, types of projects funded, program impacts, and how to apply.
Author(s): Tom Temin
Date: 09/2023
Sponsoring organization: Federal News Network
view details
Podcast episode interviewing Heath Resource and Services Administration (HRSA) officials running the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP). Describes starting the program, types of projects funded, program impacts, and how to apply.
Author(s): Tom Temin
Date: 09/2023
Sponsoring organization: Federal News Network
view details
Care Coordination Between Rural Primary Care and Telemedicine to Expand Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder: Results from a Single-Arm, Multisite Feasibility Study
Examines the feasibility of expanding access to medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in rural areas through the use of telemedicine. Analyzes 6 rural primary care sites and their care coordination model. Includes data on patients referred to telemedicine and total number of patient-days on MOUD.
Author(s): Yih-Ing Hser, Larissa J. Mooney, Laura-Mae Baldwin, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 39(4), 780-788
Date: 09/2023
view details
Examines the feasibility of expanding access to medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in rural areas through the use of telemedicine. Analyzes 6 rural primary care sites and their care coordination model. Includes data on patients referred to telemedicine and total number of patient-days on MOUD.
Author(s): Yih-Ing Hser, Larissa J. Mooney, Laura-Mae Baldwin, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 39(4), 780-788
Date: 09/2023
view details
Factors Associated with Hospitalizations for Co-occurring HIV and Opioid-Related Diagnoses: Evidence from the National Inpatient Sample, 2009–2017
Analyzes the 2009-2017 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) to identify trends in co-occurring HIV and opioid-related hospitalizations and their risk factors. Discusses the impact of rurality, sex, race and ethnicity, region, and more on odds of hospitalization.
Author(s): Nima Khodakarami, Marvellous A. Akinlotan, Timothy Callaghan, et al.
Citation: Preventive Medicine Reports, 34(2023), 102225
Date: 08/2023
view details
Analyzes the 2009-2017 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) to identify trends in co-occurring HIV and opioid-related hospitalizations and their risk factors. Discusses the impact of rurality, sex, race and ethnicity, region, and more on odds of hospitalization.
Author(s): Nima Khodakarami, Marvellous A. Akinlotan, Timothy Callaghan, et al.
Citation: Preventive Medicine Reports, 34(2023), 102225
Date: 08/2023
view details
Use of Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Among Adults With Past-Year Opioid Use Disorder in the US, 2021
Evaluated 47,291 adults using the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health to determine whether rates of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) use changed following implementation of COVID-19 pandemic policies intended to increase availability. Discusses various demographics, telehealth, and metro versus nonmetro residence.
Author(s): Christopher M. Jones, Beth Han, Grant T. Baldwin, Emily B. Einstein, Wilson M. Compton
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 6(8)
Date: 08/2023
view details
Evaluated 47,291 adults using the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health to determine whether rates of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) use changed following implementation of COVID-19 pandemic policies intended to increase availability. Discusses various demographics, telehealth, and metro versus nonmetro residence.
Author(s): Christopher M. Jones, Beth Han, Grant T. Baldwin, Emily B. Einstein, Wilson M. Compton
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 6(8)
Date: 08/2023
view details
KFF Tracking Poll July 2023: Substance Use Crisis And Accessing Treatment
Provides results of a poll focused on the impact of substance use on American families, such as experiences with addiction, social and mental health impacts of substance use, and potential outcomes of substance use such as homelessness or need for medical care. Includes information specific to opioid use with results categorized by race/ethnicity and community type, including urban, suburban, and rural.
Author(s): Grace Sparks, Alex Montero, Ashley Kirzinger, Isabelle Valdes, Liz Hamel
Date: 08/2023
Sponsoring organization: KFF
view details
Provides results of a poll focused on the impact of substance use on American families, such as experiences with addiction, social and mental health impacts of substance use, and potential outcomes of substance use such as homelessness or need for medical care. Includes information specific to opioid use with results categorized by race/ethnicity and community type, including urban, suburban, and rural.
Author(s): Grace Sparks, Alex Montero, Ashley Kirzinger, Isabelle Valdes, Liz Hamel
Date: 08/2023
Sponsoring organization: KFF
view details
Addressing the Opioid Crisis: A Look at the Evolving Landscape of Federal OUD Treatment Policies
Provides an overview of five federal policies that impacted the provision of opioid use disorder (OUD) treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Covers regulations related to buprenorphine medication, methadone dispensing programs, overdose prevention and reversal methods, and leveraging Medicaid for pre- and post-release from prison OUD treatment services. Discusses how state laws may limit federal efforts.
Author(s): Heather Saunders, Nirmita Panchal
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: KFF
view details
Provides an overview of five federal policies that impacted the provision of opioid use disorder (OUD) treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Covers regulations related to buprenorphine medication, methadone dispensing programs, overdose prevention and reversal methods, and leveraging Medicaid for pre- and post-release from prison OUD treatment services. Discusses how state laws may limit federal efforts.
Author(s): Heather Saunders, Nirmita Panchal
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: KFF
view details
Additional resources are available related to this guide. See the full list of resources by topic for:
Last Updated: 9/16/2025