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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by State: State-by-state

Rural Connections: Challenges and Opportunities in America's Heartland
Examines rural transportation challenges, including decreased state transportation revenues brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, higher traffic fatality rates compared to urban settings, poor road and bridge conditions, and more. Comments on the importance of rural transportation for the nation's economy, emphasizing its role in transferring goods and helping rural communities access healthcare, education, job opportunities, and social services.
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Transportation Research Nonprofit (TRIP)
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Hospital Access in the Fifth District and COVID-19
Examines hospital access in West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, and Washington D.C. Discusses concerns raised by the COVID-19 pandemic and provides state- and county-level statistics and data on number of hospital beds per capita, average distance to nearest hospitals, and more.
Author(s): Surekha Carpenter, Tim Sablik
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
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Geographic Variation in the 2018 Profitability of Urban and Rural Hospitals
Compares the profitability of Critical Access Hospitals, other rural hospitals, and urban hospitals in 2018 by census region, census division, and state. Examines the reasons for geographic variation in the profitability of urban and rural hospitals.
Additional links: 2016‐18 Profitability of Urban and Rural Hospitals by Medicare Payment Classification, Rural Hospitals with Long‐Term Unprofitability, Understanding the Broader Context of Rural Hospitals and Profitability
Author(s): Andrew W. Maxwell, Ann Howard, George H. Pink
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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2020 Rural Hospital Sustainability Index
Reports on an analysis of rural hospital financial viability. Identifies the number of hospitals by state at financial risk of closing and the number by state at high financial risk that are considered essential for community trauma access. Full report is available with email registration.
Additional links: State-Based Data
Author(s): David Mosley, Daniel DeBehnke
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Guidehouse
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CAH Medicaid Payer Mix in Expansion vs. Non-Expansion States
Examines the change in median Medicaid payer mix among Critical Access Hospitals between 2013 and 2018 and compares the change across states that adopted Medicaid expansion and those that did not.
Author(s): Savannah Stallings, George Pink, Kristin Reiter
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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2020 County Health Rankings Key Findings Report
Discusses county-level health disparities by examining health factors and outcomes throughout the U.S. Covers life expectancy, racial and ethnic opportunity gaps, homeownership rates, child poverty, and more. Includes key findings and examples of community efforts to improve health outcomes.
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: County Health Rankings & Roadmaps
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Antibiotic Resistance: Additional Federal Actions Needed to Better Determine Magnitude and Reduce Impact
Explores four challenges that federal agencies face in addressing antibiotic resistance. Provides eight recommendations for federal agencies to strengthen their efforts to combat antibiotic resistance. Includes references to antibiotic stewardship guidance and programs for Critical Access Hospitals throughout.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Occupancy Rates in Rural and Urban Hospitals: Value and Limitations in Use as a Measure of Surge Capacity
Compares the acute care and intensive care unit occupancy rates between rural and urban hospitals in 2018. Presents state-by-state and national data. Explores the challenges of using this data to identify surge capacity in preparation of an increase in patient volume due to COVID-19.
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Hospital Compare Quality Measure Results for CAHs, 2018
Describes the rates at which Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) reported quality improvement measures in 2018. Reports state rankings based on reporting rates. Includes national CAH performance results of selected inpatient and outpatient quality measures. Contains links to state-specific reports.
Additional links: State Profiles
Author(s): Megan Lahr, Tongtan Chantarat, Ira Moscovice
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Deaths from Fall-Related Traumatic Brain Injury — United States, 2008–2017
Reports on national and state rates and trends for traumatic brain injury (TBI) related deaths caused by unintentional falls. Includes data by decedent characteristics, including location in a metropolitan or nonmetro area.
Author(s): Alexis B. Peterson, Scott R. Kegle
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(9), 225-230
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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