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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by State: Texas

Oral Health: Targeting Rural Areas
Compiles articles from a special issue of the Texas Public Health Journal focusing on rural oral health in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. Covers emergency department use in Texas for oral health needs in rural versus urban counties, geriatric oral health and workforce options such as teledentistry, a Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment project under a state waiver targeting rural communities, partnerships to reach underserved areas and pregnant women, and oral health initiatives in Louisiana and Oklahoma.
Citation: Texas Public Health Journal, 71(2), 2-16
Date: 04/2019
Sponsoring organization: Texas Public Health Association
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Strengthening Medicaid Long-term Services and Supports in an Evolving Policy Environment: A Toolkit for States
Shares strategies states can use to reform their long-term services and supports (LTSS) framework, focusing on improving LTSS in two key areas: rebalancing LTSS to increase the proportion of LTSS provided in community-based settings and integrating LTSS with physical and behavioral health services through managed care. Uses case studies to provide examples of each strategy, and discusses rural considerations throughout.
Additional links: Brief for Legislators, Summary of Reforms
Author(s): Stephanie Anthony, Arielle Traub, Sarah Lewis, et al.
Date: 03/2019
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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Air Ambulance: Available Data Show Privately-Insured Patients Are at Financial Risk
Examines air ambulance transports for patients with a focus on balance billing. Describes changes in geographic distribution of air ambulance services, including the location of bases and new bases and additions in rural areas; the extent of out-of-network air ambulance transports and balance billing practices; and how states are limiting balance billing. Relies on data from a variety of sources, including interviews with officials in 6 states: Florida, North Dakota, Montana, New Mexico, Maryland, and Texas.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2019
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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American Cancer Society and Community Health Centers Partner to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening
Describes a partnership between the American Cancer Society and a system of community health centers in New Orleans and 7 rural locations in south central Texas, for the purpose of promoting interventions to increase rates of colorectal cancer screening. Examines strategies for reaching diverse, underserved populations and increasing community demand, community access, and provider delivery of services by using electronic health records to track screenings.
Date: 01/2019
Sponsoring organization: Community Preventive Services Task Force
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Twenty-Five Things to Know about Texas Rural Hospitals
A fact sheet describing several characteristics, concerns, and related data unique to rural hospitals in Texas.
Date: 12/2018
Sponsoring organization: Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals
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Continuing Evidence of Chagas Disease Along the Texas-Mexico Border
Explores a study on Chagas Disease on the Texas-Mexico border. Features case studies detailing experiences with the disease in the rural towns of Rio Grande City, TX and San Vicente, Mexico; and in urban centers of Mission, TX and Reynosa, Mexico.
Author(s): Melissa S. Nolan, David Aguilar, Eric L. Brown, et al.
Citation: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 12(11)
Date: 11/2018
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State Options for Promoting Recovery among Pregnant and Parenting Women with Opioid or Substance Use Disorder
Reports on interviews with health officials in Texas, Colorado, and Pennsylvania regarding how their states help pregnant women and young mothers with substance use disorders, focusing on opioids. Discusses Medicaid's role, funding sources of state initiatives, medication-assisted treatment, and issues for incarcerated women. Includes considerations and examples related to rural health throughout.
Author(s): Becky Normile, Carrie Hanlon, Hannah Eichner
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organization: National Academy for State Health Policy
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Trends in Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Cesarean Delivery Rates on the U.S.-Mexico Border, 2000-2015
Reports on a study comparing cesarean delivery rates before and after 2009 for Hispanic and non-Hispanic white populations living in border and non-border counties of the four U.S.-Mexico border states. Study data was derived from the National Vital Statistics System U.S. Standard Certificate of Live Birth files, 2000 to 2015.
Author(s): Jill A. McDonald, Anup Amatya, Charlotte C. Gard, Jesus Sigala
Citation: PLoS One, 13(9)
Date: 09/2018
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The Role of Social Support and the Neighborhood Environment on Physical Activity in Low-income, Mexican-American Women in South Texas
Presents a study on the effectiveness of a promotora-led intervention aimed at improving the rates of physical activity among low-income Mexican-American women in rural South Texas.
Author(s): Jennifer J. Salinas, Marisol McDaniel, Deborah Parra-Medina
Citation: Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, 51(5), 234-241
Date: 09/2018
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Promising Practice: Texas SORH's Handheld Ultrasound Project - An Innovative Approach to Providing Training & Technology to Small Rural Hospitals
Details a pilot program implemented by the Texas State Office of Rural Health that allows rural hospitals to use handheld ultrasound machines as a cost-effective method for improving quality of care.
Author(s): Beth Blevins
Date: 09/2018
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
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