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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Veterans and Access to Healthcare – Resources

Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Veterans and Access to Healthcare.

Healthcare Professionals' Views of Palliative Care for American War Veterans with Non-malignant Respiratory Disease Living in a Rural Area: A Qualitative Study
Discussed the views of healthcare professionals on palliative care for rural veterans with chronic lung diseases in Idaho. Highlights the providers' perception of veterans' understanding of the disease and it's progression, as well as barriers to palliative care services.
Author(s): Clare Mc Veigh, Joanne Reid, Paula Carvalho
Citation: BMC Palliative Care, 18, 22
Date: 02/2019
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Evidence Brief: Video Telehealth for Primary Care and Mental Health Service
Details an investigation by the Veterans Health Administration into video telehealth as a means of delivering primary and mental healthcare to veterans. Highlights advantages for increasing access for rural veterans.
Additional links: Supplemental Materials
Author(s): Stephanie Veazie, Donald Bourne, Kim Peterson, Johanna Anderson
Date: 02/2019
Sponsoring organization: VA Health Systems Research, Office of Research & Development
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VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018 (VA MISSION Act; P.L.115-182)
Provides an overview of the changes made to the VA MISSION Act, including establishing a permanent Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) and provisions to help recruit and retain healthcare providers. Discusses provisions specific to healthcare access for veterans in rural and underserved areas.
Date: 11/2018
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Evidence Review — Social Determinants of Health for Veterans
Reports findings from a literature review of studies focused on social determinants of health for veterans. Summarizes study characteristics, social determinants addressed, and whether health behaviors, health services utilization, and health outcomes were examined. Includes an analysis of the studies that looked at effects of rurality, trauma, and sexual orientation.
Author(s): Wei Duan-Porter, Brian C. Martinson, Nancy Greer, et al.
Citation: Journal of General Internal Medicine, 33(10), 1785-1795
Date: 10/2018
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Elder Veterans Tend to Reside in Rural Counties and Near Military Bases
Map showing counties with a concentration of working-age and elder veterans, a concentration of working-age veterans, or a concentration of elder veterans, based on 2011-2015 American Community Survey data. Also identifies locations of military installations, ranges, and training areas.
Date: 07/2018
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Promising Practice: Alabama SORH Collaborates with VA to Provide Telehealth Care for Vets
Describes a collaboration between the Alabama State Office of Rural Health and Alabama Veterans Affairs to create and implement a telehealth program aimed at delivering care to rural veterans.
Author(s): Beth Blevins
Date: 06/2018
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
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Changes in Influenza Vaccination Requirements for Health Care Personnel in US Hospitals
Results of a study comparing proportions of 1,062 hospitals that did or did not require personnel to be vaccinated for influenza between 2013-2017. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban or rural location and Veterans Affairs (VA) or non-VA hospital type.
Author(s): M. Todd Greene, Karen E. Fowler, David Ratz, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open 1(2)
Date: 06/2018
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Veterans Health Administration: Steps Taken to Improve Physician Staffing, Recruitment, and Retention, but Challenges Remain
Highlights a report on the effectiveness of improvements made by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in the areas of staffing, recruitment, and retention. Discusses the successes and shortcomings of the VHA's interventions.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 06/2018
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Evaluating National Program to Improve Access to Acute Stroke Services for Rural Veterans
Features a study on the Veterans Health Administration's efforts to improve access to acute stroke services for rural veteran populations. Discusses the National TeleStroke Program (NTSP) and it's impact on rural veterans.
Date: 06/2018
Sponsoring organization: VA Health Systems Research, Office of Research & Development
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Veterans Choice Program: Improvements Needed to Address Access-Related Challenges as VA Plans Consolidation of Its Community Care Programs
Presents a study on the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Veterans Choice Program. Evaluates the VHA's ability to consolidate Community Care Programs without affecting access for rural veterans. Highlights findings and provides recommendations for changes.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 06/2018
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Last Updated: 8/13/2025