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Rural Health
Resources by State: Pennsylvania

Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Treatment Delay Within Appalachia – The Role of For-Profit Hospitals
Discusses the timeliness of colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment in rural hospitals of the Appalachian regions of Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. Study uses data from the 2006-2008 Central Cancer Registry (CCR) as well as Medicare claims to identify delays between diagnosis and treatment in healthcare facilities with various funding models.
Author(s): Eric E. Seiber, Fabian Camacho, Muhammad Fazal Zeeshan, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 31(4), 382-391
Date: 05/2015
Type: Document
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Healthy Options: A Community-Based Program to Address Food Insecurity
Presents the results of a study to better understand the experience of food insecurity in rural Adams County, Pennsylvania and to examine the impact of a community-based program developed to increase access to and consumption of local, healthy foods.
Author(s): Amy B. Dailey, Audrey Hess, Camille Horton, et al.
Date: 04/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Adams County Local Foods Network, Gettysburg College, Center for Public Service Research
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An Examination of Hate and Bias Incidents in Pennsylvania, 1999 – 2012
Examines hate and bias incidents in Pennsylvania to compare their frequency, nature and impact on urban and rural communities.
Author(s): R. Barry Ruback, Andrew Gladfelter, Brendan Lantz
Date: 03/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Homelessness in Rural Pennsylvania
Analyzes existing data, surveys professionals, and summarizes information gathered to better understand homelessness in rural Pennsylvania. Offers recommendations to address the growing homeless population in the state.
Author(s): Heather Feldhaus, Avi Slone
Date: 03/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Knowledge and Perceptions of Tobacco-Related Media in Rural Appalachia
Examines the perceptions of tobacco-related media among rural, Appalachian residents to determine its impact on smoking rates.
Author(s): Steven Branstetter, Eugene Lengerich, Mark Dignan, Joshua Muscat
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 15(1), 3136
Date: 03/2015
Type: Document
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Adherence and Delivery: Implementation Quality and Program Outcomes for the 7th Grade Keepin' It Real Program
A study to determine how the implementation quality (IQ) of a drug and alcohol prevention program specific for rural middle school adolescents can affect desired results. Seventh grade students from 25 schools in rural Pennsylvania and Ohio participated in the keepin' it REAL prevention program. Variables used to evaluate the program included adherence to the curriculum, teacher and student engagement, and a rating of teacher delivery quality.
Author(s): Jonathan Pettigrew, John W. Graham, Michelle Miller-Day, et al.
Citation: Prevention Science,16(1), 90-99
Date: 01/2015
Type: Document
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Screening Community Pharmacy Patients for Risk of Prescription Opioid Misuse
Examines the feasibility of screening patients for risks of opioid prescription misuse when filling prescriptions at rural and urban community pharmacies. Evaluates patients' behavioral, mental, and physical health to determine risk level. Includes rural versus urban data on gender, age, education, employment, and behavioral, mental, physical, and general health.
Author(s): Gerald Cochran, Jessica Rubinstein, Jennifer L. Bacci, Thomas Ylioja, Ralph Tarter
Citation: Journal of Addiction Medicine, 9(5), 411-416
Date: 2015
Type: Document
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Successful Health Insurance Outreach, Education, and Enrollment Strategies for Rural Hospitals
Shares best practices for hospitals to use in health insurance outreach and enrollment efforts based on interviews with administrators, staff, and community representatives at 11 small rural hospitals in 9 states. Also discusses certified application counselors, who help individuals enroll in health insurance, and the importance of using collaborative community partnerships to conduct insurance enrollment outreach and education.
Author(s): Walter Gregg, Alex Evenson, Adeniyi Togun
Date: 11/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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The Marcellus Shale Impacts Study: Chronicling Social and Economic Change in North Central and Southwest Pennsylvania
Report on the impact of the Marcellus Shale, a natural gas-bearing geological formation beneath portions of Pennsylvania. Segments of the report focus on the effects of the Shale on health, with symptoms ranging from skin rash to difficulty breathing. Also includes selected county level healthcare data and statistics.
Date: 09/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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The Economic Impact of a Rural Dentist
Measures the impact that dentists have on rural counties. Uses data from 13 rural dental clinics in Oklahoma, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Nevada.
Author(s): Gerald A. Doeksen, Fred C. Eilrich, Cheryl F. St. Clair
Date: 08/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Rural Health Works
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