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Rural Health
Resources by State: Pennsylvania

Geographic Disparities in New Onset of Internalizing Disorders in Pennsylvania Adolescents Using Electronic Health Records
Examines the prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders among adolescents in 37 Pennsylvania counties. Includes demographic breakdowns of 7,974 subjects with internalizing disorder cases residing in rural, urban cluster, or urbanized areas. Discusses the relationship of geographic location, socioeconomic deprivation, and community greenness in relation to internalizing disorders.
Author(s): Irena Gorski-Steiner, Sean O'Dell, Karen Bandeen-Roche, et al.
Citation: Spatial and Spatio-Temporal Epidemiology, 41, 100439
Date: 06/2022
Type: Document
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Rural Youth Survey: Trends and Developments in the Attitudes and Aspirations of Rural Pennsylvania Youth
Results of a study conducted in the spring of 2021, to document the educational, career, and residential aspirations of rural Pennsylvania 9th and 11th grade students, to examine factors that shape aspirations, and to detail opportunities and barriers that youth experience. Notes that healthcare was the most common career field sought by students. Offers recommendation that additional mental health support be provided for rural youth as they return to in-person schooling after the COVID pandemic. Features demographics and statistics on career aspirations, with breakdowns by type of employment.
Author(s): Lacey Wallace, Sam Tanner, Freyca Calderon-Berumen, Lauren Jacobson
Date: 05/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Access to Maternity and Obstetric Care in Rural Pennsylvania
Examines access to maternity care in rural Pennsylvania, using federal- and state-level data to determine the distribution of birthing facilities and birth attendants. Includes a workforce analysis to forecast the supply of and demand for care providers and to identify gaps where supply will not meet demand. Provides a survey of stakeholders and key informants, to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, and solutions to improving access to maternity care.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Sharon Bernecki DeJoy, David J. Doorn
Date: 04/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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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
Type: Document
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Access to Mental Health Services in Rural Pennsylvania
Results of a study to assess the demand for mental health services in rural Pennsylvania, with a focus on youth and the elderly. Identifies challenges these populations face in accessing mental health care to provide options for improving and expanding mental healthcare services for underserved rural Pennsylvanians. Features demographics and statistics on health and mental health needs in rural Pennsylvania, with breakdowns by county.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Juliana Svistova, Ahyoung Lee, Christopher Harris, et al.
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Assessment of a Community-Based Exercise Program for Older Adults in a Mixed Rural/Urban Catchment Area: Silver Sneakers in Central Pennsylvania
Study assessing the Silver Sneakers program, a federally funded, community-based exercise program for older adults, based on interviews with program staff in central Pennsylvania. Discusses rural/urban access to the program, facilities that offer the programs, and closures due to COVID-19.
Author(s): Eileen Flores, Sage Nakawa, Robbin Moyer, Shirley M. Bluethmann
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 19, 210283
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
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Health Care Facilities in Pennsylvania, 2022
County-level map showing locations and numbers of short-term care hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals, Rural Health Clinics, and Federally Qualified Health Centers, with shadings indicating urban and rural counties.
Date: 2022
Type: Map/Mapping System
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Medical School Impact on the Primary Care Physician Shortage in Pennsylvania: Staff Study
Describes training required to become a physician in Pennsylvania and examines issues contributing to primary care physician shortages, including student debt burden, burnout, and low investment in primary care. Features information on primary care initiatives from Pennsylvania's medical schools, including health workforce pipeline programs, and statistics including average number of graduates matching into primary care specialties from each institution, estimates of how many graduates intend to specialize in primary care, and how many are retained by the state. Mentions rural throughout.
Author(s): Bryan W. DeWalt, Stephen J. Kramer, Wendy L. Baker
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Joint State Government Commission, General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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Recruitment and Retention Issues for Counselors in Rural Pennsylvania Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs
Results of a study of Pennsylvania substance use disorder (SUD) counselors and directors of treatment programs and clinics, to assess the characteristics of treatment counselors in rural Pennsylvania counties and how those characteristics relate to recruitment and retention issues. Also examines how well higher education institutions in rural counties prepare those entering the profession, and analyzes the effectiveness of state-level incentives, like the student loan repayment program, to attract potential SUD counselors. Features statistics on counselors' characteristics and duties, and client characteristics.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Jennifer Murphy
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Transforming State Behavioral Health Systems: Findings from States on the Impact of CCBHC Implementation
Reports information from surveys and interviews with state Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) program directors from the 8 original demonstration states, including Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. Shares how the CCBHC program helped states address mental health and substance use issues in their communities by lowering costs, improving outcomes, building healthcare system capacity for mental health and substance use, and increasing the infrastructure to meet the rising need of care. Includes specific examples of how the CCBHC program improved access to urgent recovery centers, crisis centers, and telehealth services in rural communities.
Author(s): Rachael Matulis, Dorn Schuffman, Rebecca Farley David, Samantha Holcombe
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Council for Mental Wellbeing
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